TLR: Fodor B = rebranded Beautyflex from Tayido Koki, Japan ??

[TheToadMen]

TLR: Fodor B = rebranded Beautyflex ?? from Tayido Koki, Japan ??

I bought a Fodor B camera today for Euro 35 ($42). It came with a leather casing, original lenshood and yellow filter. The shutter times seem to be accurate, the timer doesn't work.

It's my understanding that this is a rebranded camera, made by Tayido Koki, Japan (a.k.a. Beauty Camera Co.) in about 1956. It was made for Fodor, a Dutch company in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, importing Japanese cameras after WWII.

Viewing lens: TRI-LAUSAR VIEWER 1:3.5 f=8cm No. 640609 (coated?)
Taking lens: TRI-LAUSAR ANASTIGMAT 1:3.5 f=8cm No. 563016 (coated?)
Shutter speed: 1/300, 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, 1/10, 1/5, 1/2, 1s., B.
Diaphragm: f/3.5 - f/22.
Body: metal with black leatherette.

I'll shoot a test roll this week to see what the lens can do (I don't expect miracles, but could be nice though).

There isn't much info on the Internet about this model, so if anyone can tell me something about it? What model is this, a kind of Beautyflex or oder rebranded model from Tayido Koki?
I know there was also a rebranded Beatyflex called: Fodorflex, but that isn't the same model.
Here are some quick snapshots from iPhone:

 

[James Thorsen]

Yes, I just got one of these myself yesterday. Seems to be in very good condition. Viewfinder looks amazing. Was literally magic when I focused in on something yesterday. The person who sold it to me said he had really sharp results at 100 ISO film, at f11 and f16 (I think he said around 1/100 Sutter speed) on sunny days...maybe it's sweet spot?

I found the manual for the Beautyflex, which was quite helpful. But I wasn't able to find any good Youtube videos about the camera. Any reads or videos that are worth watching?

Anyone have any recommendations on getting started with medium format. My photography background is the Pentax K1000 and I've been using a Fuji XT30 (mirrorless digital) for a few weeks. So this is a bit different for me, but I was looking to channel my inner Diane Arbus.

I am going to Mexico in October. I was thinking of bringing a few rolls of maybe ektar 100 with me to shoot around. Expecting mostly sunny conditions (Guadalajara area in Fall).

Anyway, hope you are well and thanks in advance for any or all feedback.

 

[AgX]

I wonder about the the name Fodor as brand and as name of the importing firm, as it to me sounds hungarian, but the importer actually has a true germanic name.
Finally they changed from photo to HiFi.

 

[Frank53]

Fodor was an importer of japanese photo and audio gear in The Netherlands based in Rotterdam as far as I remember until the 80’s or 90’s.

 

[Frank53]

I found this info on google:
Fodor
Fodor was a Dutch company, which was set up in Rotterdam around 1954 by the family Albers (see Foka).
Mr. Albers travelled already in 1947 to Japan to explore the local photograph industry and to make agreements concerning importing camera' s, accesoires and lenses. Almost all Japanese photographic and audio products entered the Netherlands by means of Fodor that time. Frequently under the name Fodor. The company's operations ended in the year 2000.