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Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo ->
Japanese 3×4, 4×4, 4×5, 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Collex (コレックス) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, distributed by Eikōdō in 1937.[1]

Description of the body[]

The Collex is a vertical folder. It has a folding bed and a rectangular lens standard mounted on scissor struts and supporting the lens and shutter assembly; this design is reminiscent of the Zeh Goldi 3×4 folder. There is a tubular optical finder in the middle of the top plate, and no body release. The advance knob is at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The back is hinged to the left and there is a leather handle over the back latch. The film advance is controlled by two red windows, each with a vertically sliding cover. The name COLLEX is embossed in the front leather and at the front of the leather case.

The manufacturer of the camera is unknown. The same body is shared by the Adler A (sold by Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō and Riken) and by some Sintax cameras.

Lens and shutter equipment[]

In an advertisement by Eikōdō in the April 1937 issue of Asahi Camera,[2] the Collex was offered for ¥39 with a Collex Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens and a Collex shutter giving 25, 50, 100, T, B speeds. Such an example has been observed for sale. The shutter plate is marked COLLEX WORKS TOKYO on the top, with a logo on the right (maybe an intricate "B" and "I" or "B" and "T").[3]

Another example has been observed with a Lucomar Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens (certainly supplied by Kigawa) and an unknown shutter giving T, B, 1–200 and marked PATENTS–PENDING at the top of the shutter plate.[4]

A third example is known with a Rulex shutter (1–200, B, T) by Neumann & Heilemann.[5] The lens is reported as a Trionar Anastigmat 75/4.5.

Notes[]

  1. Date: advertisemens and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.336.
  2. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.72.
  3. Example observed in an online auction.
  4. Example observed in an online auction.
  5. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1035. The accessory shoe is certainly not original.

Bibliography[]

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