Mecaflex
Encyclopedia
The Mecaflex is a 35mm SLR
camera for 50 exposures of 24×24mm. It was presented at the Photokina
in Cologne in 1951, and launched at the market some two years later. The design is by Heinz Kilfitt, also known for the design of the original Robot camera
and the Kowa Six.
The camera is based on a rather revolutionary concept, utilising the newly developed Prontor/Compur reflex shutters, which would pave the way for reputable camera designs like the 1953 Contaflex, the 1956 Retina Reflex, the 1957 Hasselblad 500
, and the 1959 Voigtländer Bessamatic
. However, it does not have the built-in eyelevel pentaprism
finder, first seen on 35mm SLR cameras in 1949. In stead, it has a waist-level finder
with a central split-image rangefinder
complemented by spectacular magnifier incorporating a central loupe. Looking into it, using one eye only, the loupe covers exactly the rangefinder central area.
. On the right-hand side is the wind-on lever with the manual reset frame counter on top and the remote release threaded shutter button. To the left is the rewind knob with a film reminder on top. When the top lid is fully opened, the large square magnifier swings up over the focusing screen
. An action finder is also incorporated into the top cover. At the base are the ¼ inch tripod socket, the A/R rewind switch, and a release button for the removable back.
The Mecaflex is equipped with a unique breech-lock lensmount operated by a lever at five-o-clock at the front. Sliding the lever toward six-o-clock releases the lens. The shutter speed dial surrounds the lensmount. The lens diaphragm
is semi-automatic preset, operated by a small protrusion at seven-o-clock at the lens mount. When the camera is wound on, the lens aperture
ring should be turned anti-clockwise while depressing a small release button on it and returned to the required preset aperture value. In this way, the lens is wide open for bright finder image and ready to shut down automatically upon shutter release. Focusing is accomplished using the left-hand lever on the lens. The PC sync. contact is situated at the top right on the edge of the lens panel. On the Metz manufactured cameras, an M/X synchronisation
selector it placed at the upper left corner of lens panel, and the shutter speeds extend to 1/300 sec.
The Mecaflex is built of beautifully cast metal alloy parts with a matte chrome finish and decorated with a striped black body covering material. The camera, at first a Metz product for which Kilfitt was to supply the lenses, was manufactured at the Metz Apparatefabrik in Fürth, Germany; but reputedly, due to conflicting interests, the production was taken over by Kilfitt and moved to Monaco in 1958, and manufactured there for another seven years. Apart from the SEROA markings at the top to this effect, these later cameras have a different fine grain body covering material, the speeds extend to 1/250 sec. and the M/X flash sync switch is left out, the feature conspicuously missing on the top left of the lens panel.
2.8 / 32-86mm Zoomar. He started lens manufacturing in Munich in 1941 and expanded production to Liechtenstein in 1947, but production was later gathered in Munich. However, only a limited number of lenses were made for the Mecaflex.
The camera came in a small box complete with a zippered case and a neck strap. Accessories included an extremely rare add-on eyelevel mirror finder that would attach inside the folding finder.
Kilfitt Mecaflex:
Both camera versions are quite rare, and extremely collectible, the later one is often preferred at the collectors market, especially in top condition and complete in box, with case and chain. The accessory Eyelevel finder and the Tele-Kilar are also highly sought-after items.
SLR
The initialism SLR can refer to:* Satellite laser ranging* Scalable Linear Recording Tape Drive Backup* Self-Loading Rifle, see semi-automatic rifle.** The UK version of the Belgian FN FAL select fire battle rifle, the L1A1 SLR.* Semi-linear resolution...
camera for 50 exposures of 24×24mm. It was presented at the Photokina
Photokina
The photokina is the world's largest trade fair for the photographic and imaging industries. The first photokina was held in Cologne, Germany, in 1950, and it is now held biannually in September at the koelnmesse Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre...
in Cologne in 1951, and launched at the market some two years later. The design is by Heinz Kilfitt, also known for the design of the original Robot camera
Robot (camera)
Robot is a German imaging company known originally for clockwork cameras, later producing surveillance and bank security cameras. Originally created in 1934 as a brand of Otto Berning and Co., it became part of the Jenoptik group of optical companies in 1999...
and the Kowa Six.
The camera is based on a rather revolutionary concept, utilising the newly developed Prontor/Compur reflex shutters, which would pave the way for reputable camera designs like the 1953 Contaflex, the 1956 Retina Reflex, the 1957 Hasselblad 500
Hasselblad
Victor Hasselblad AB is a Swedish manufacturer of medium-format cameras and photographic equipment based in Gothenburg, Sweden.The company is best known for the medium-format cameras it has produced since World War II....
, and the 1959 Voigtländer Bessamatic
Bessamatic
The Bessamatic was an 35mm SLR camera made by Voigtländer in the 1960s, featuring a selenium meter.It uses a leaf shutter rather than the more common focal plane shutter. This is a Synchro-Compur shutter mounted behind the lens, which is interchangeable...
. However, it does not have the built-in eyelevel pentaprism
Pentaprism
A pentaprism is a five-sided reflecting prism used to deviate a beam of light by 90°. The beam reflects inside the prism twice, allowing the transmission of an image through a right angle without inverting it as an ordinary right-angle prism or mirror would.The reflections inside the prism are not...
finder, first seen on 35mm SLR cameras in 1949. In stead, it has a waist-level finder
Waist-level finder
The waist-level finder is a type of viewfinder that can be used on twin lens and single lens reflex cameras. While it is typically found on older medium format cameras, some newer and/or 35 mm cameras have this type of finder ....
with a central split-image rangefinder
Rangefinder
A rangefinder is a device that measures distance from the observer to a target, for the purposes of surveying, determining focus in photography, or accurately aiming a weapon. Some devices use active methods to measure ; others measure distance using trigonometry...
complemented by spectacular magnifier incorporating a central loupe. Looking into it, using one eye only, the loupe covers exactly the rangefinder central area.
Description
The complete camera top, hinged at the front, is a flush cover with no protruding controls. When flipped open, it reveals the waist-level finderWaist-level finder
The waist-level finder is a type of viewfinder that can be used on twin lens and single lens reflex cameras. While it is typically found on older medium format cameras, some newer and/or 35 mm cameras have this type of finder ....
. On the right-hand side is the wind-on lever with the manual reset frame counter on top and the remote release threaded shutter button. To the left is the rewind knob with a film reminder on top. When the top lid is fully opened, the large square magnifier swings up over the focusing screen
Focusing screen
A focusing screen is a flat translucent material, usually ground glass, found in a system camera that allows the user of the camera to preview the framed image in a viewfinder. Often, focusing screens are available in variants with different etched markings for various purposes...
. An action finder is also incorporated into the top cover. At the base are the ¼ inch tripod socket, the A/R rewind switch, and a release button for the removable back.
The Mecaflex is equipped with a unique breech-lock lensmount operated by a lever at five-o-clock at the front. Sliding the lever toward six-o-clock releases the lens. The shutter speed dial surrounds the lensmount. The lens diaphragm
Diaphragm (optics)
In optics, a diaphragm is a thin opaque structure with an opening at its center. The role of the diaphragm is to stop the passage of light, except for the light passing through the aperture...
is semi-automatic preset, operated by a small protrusion at seven-o-clock at the lens mount. When the camera is wound on, the lens aperture
Aperture
In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture of an optical system is the opening that determines the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. The aperture determines how collimated the admitted rays are,...
ring should be turned anti-clockwise while depressing a small release button on it and returned to the required preset aperture value. In this way, the lens is wide open for bright finder image and ready to shut down automatically upon shutter release. Focusing is accomplished using the left-hand lever on the lens. The PC sync. contact is situated at the top right on the edge of the lens panel. On the Metz manufactured cameras, an M/X synchronisation
Flash synchronization
In a camera, flash synchronization is defined as the firing of a photographic flash coinciding with the shutter admitting light to photographic film or electronic image sensor. It is often shortened to flash sync or flash synch....
selector it placed at the upper left corner of lens panel, and the shutter speeds extend to 1/300 sec.
The Mecaflex is built of beautifully cast metal alloy parts with a matte chrome finish and decorated with a striped black body covering material. The camera, at first a Metz product for which Kilfitt was to supply the lenses, was manufactured at the Metz Apparatefabrik in Fürth, Germany; but reputedly, due to conflicting interests, the production was taken over by Kilfitt and moved to Monaco in 1958, and manufactured there for another seven years. Apart from the SEROA markings at the top to this effect, these later cameras have a different fine grain body covering material, the speeds extend to 1/250 sec. and the M/X flash sync switch is left out, the feature conspicuously missing on the top left of the lens panel.
Lenses
Kilfitt was a reputable lens manufacturer, well known for designs like the 1955 Macro Kilar series and the manufacture of the VoigtländerVoigtländer
Voigtländer is an optical company founded by Johann Christoph Voigtländer in Vienna in 1756 and is thus the oldest name in cameras. It produced the Petzval photographic lens in 1840, and the world's first all-metal daguerrotype camera in 1841, also bringing out plate cameras shortly afterwards...
2.8 / 32-86mm Zoomar. He started lens manufacturing in Munich in 1941 and expanded production to Liechtenstein in 1947, but production was later gathered in Munich. However, only a limited number of lenses were made for the Mecaflex.
- Kilfitt Kilar 1:2.8 F=40mm licensed by Benoist Berthiot, Paris
- Kilfitt Kilar 1:3.5 / 40 manufactured by Heinz Kilfitt, München
- Kilfitt Tele-Kilar 4 /105
The camera came in a small box complete with a zippered case and a neck strap. Accessories included an extremely rare add-on eyelevel mirror finder that would attach inside the folding finder.
Two versions
Metz Mecaflex:- Manufactured from 1953 on, for about five years
- Shutter speeds B, 1 to 1/300 sec.
- M/X synchronisation selector switch
- Striped pattern body cover
Kilfitt Mecaflex:
- Manufactured in Monaco from 1958 on by SEROA, for about seven years
- Shutter speeds B, 1 to 1/250 sec.
- No M/X synchronisation selector switch
- Fine-grained pattern body cover
Both camera versions are quite rare, and extremely collectible, the later one is often preferred at the collectors market, especially in top condition and complete in box, with case and chain. The accessory Eyelevel finder and the Tele-Kilar are also highly sought-after items.