Asahi-flex

[OptiKen]

Recently, I discovered an Asahi-flex 35mm camera - a little unusual with it's waist level viewfinder, etc.

Does anyone have one or have any knowledge of them or own one that would shed some light on the camera?

Thanks in advance

Ken

 

[OptiKen]

Recently, I discovered an Asahi-flex 35mm camera - a little unusual with it's waist level viewfinder, etc.View attachment 179378
Does anyone have one or have any knowledge of them or own one that would shed some light on the camera?

Thanks in advance

Ken

 

[Prof_Pixel]

I worked in a camera store in the late 1950's and I remember the Asahiflex very well. Probably the model IIB which had an instant mirror return (or maybe the IIA). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asahiflex

 

[R.Gould]

I had one many years ago, IRC it was a very early Ashai SLR, before they became Asahi pentax, I do not have any of the negatives left that I took using the camera, but I remember that after using Zenit's for a while the quality was eye opening
Richard

 

[Paul Howell]

My uncle had one, he bought it while in the Army and stationed in Japan, he let me use it a few time when I was still in high school. Took decent enough pictures, he had a 50mm lens, a Weston light meter, later he bought a Nikon which he did not let me use. Other than the waist level finder easy to use. Later I was given a Retina III C big which I liked a lot better, will the rangefinder and viewfinder. I think the Ashi flex is considered collectable.

 

[Les Sarile]

I don't have one yet but here are some resources: https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-m37-screwmount-slrs-c6.html, http://www.aohc.it/_old/slr01e.html

 

[GRHazelton]

I don't know how I missed this thread! My late Father bought a IIa - the one with a slow speed dial on the front panel - in NYC with its 50mm f 3.5. He added the 83mm f 1.9 and a Sears 35mm. (Sears sold the AsahiFlex for a while under its Tower brand.) As a nature photographer specializing in wild flowers he bought the extension tubes and the bellows. I now have the whole kit; sadly the camera is in rough condition due to the inevitable knocks, etc, incurred by many years of tramping through the woods and over rocks, etc. Without TTL metering calculating the proper exposure was a slide rule operation!

I recently found a IIa with the 58mm f 2.4 normal lens and case in excellent condition. Eric Hendrickson now has it for "restoration."
With its waist level finder the 'Flex is a camera for leisurely shooting. The finder image is reversed left to right, and used in portrait orientation the image is also inverted. The lenses are excellent, and the camera's fit and finish is exemplary. Think of it as a thread mount Leica with a reflex housing. Do note that for whatever reason Asahi used a 37mm lens mount, although there are rumors of a 'Flex with a 42mm mount. Of course if the 'Flex used the Leica 39mm mount body depth would make Leica lenses unable to focus to infinity. An adapter is available to use the 37mm lenses on a 42mm camera.