Primarflex - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Primarflex

1935

Curt Bentzin

Görlitz

Germany

Image of Primarflex

Lens:
f3.5, 10.5 cm Zeiss Tessar, iris diaphragm to f45. Interchangeable screw mount lens. Serial no. 1499293 (c. 1933).

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1 - 1/1000, B, T. Delayed action. Self-capping.

Construction:
Leather covered metal body.

Format:
12, 6 x 6 cm exposures on 120 roll-film.

Focusing:
Helical to 3 feet.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen. Frame finder, magnifier in hood.
Mirror is held down against a spring and trips when released. The mirror can be manually brought down by a knob on the side plate.
Film advance tensions shutter and returns the mirror. Auto-stop on film advance.
A frame, accessible behind the focusing hood, is removed to allow the insertion of dark-slides.

Serial Number:
25068 .

Notes:
Address in case: Wallace Heaton. 119 New Bond St. London. W.H. moved from this address during 1936. Mirror has a possible date scratched on surface of 17/6 36.

With:

  • 3, Russell & Yuill slides with plates.
  • Fitted case by Wallace Heaton. Cable release.
  • Tempophot exposure meter, in case.

When introduced the Primarflex was of unusual shape for a single-lens reflex which commonly adopted the 'T' shape of the Exakta or the box shape of the KW and Mentor. The shape was later to become popular with the Hasselblad. A very wide range of lenses up to 40 cm was available.

Minor differences in finish exist and after World War II the camera was re-styled.

References & Notes:
BJA 1936, pp. 309, 643. BJA 1937, p. 608. BJA 1938, p. 616. BJA 1939, p. 614. Minit&Cine, 1938, p. 65. Minit&Cine, 1939, p. 147.

Spiegel Reflex

Stereo Tropical Ross

Stereo Tropical Soho

Tropical Soho

Improved Artist Reflex

Tropical Minex

Tropical Folding Minex

Duplex Ruby Reflex

Duplex Reflex

Ensign Tropical Reflex

Lizars De Luxe Tropical

R. B. Miral

Shew Reflector

Ralli No 5

Adams Reflex

Videx

Minex

Folding Minex

Aidex

Birdland Reflex

Self-Focusing Reflex

Square Reflector

Two Shutter Reflex

NS Patent Reflex

R. B. Auto Graflex

Mentor Reflex

Soho

Dainty Soho Reflex

Special Ruby Reflex

Ruby de Luxe Reflex

Duplex Ruby Reflex

Junior Special Ruby

Horizontal Reflex

Rubyette

Apem Reflex

Salex De Luxe

All British Planex Reflex

Dallmeyer De Luxe Reflex

Dallmeyer Baby Speed Reflex

N&G Folding Reflex

N&G Folding Reflex

Ensign Folding Reflex

Miroflex

Roll-film Paff

2 ¼B Roll-film Reflex

Ensign Roll-film Reflex

Focal Plane Roll-film Camera

Ideal Reflex

Mentor Compur

K W Box Reflex

Reflex-Korelle

Primarflex

Exakta

Exakta Model B

Exakta Model C

Agiflex

Pentacon Six

Hasselblad F series

Hasselblad 500c

Corfield 66