The Edinex viewfinder cameras for 35mm film were made by Gebr. Wirgin in Wiesbaden. The first model was certainly introduced in the mid-1930s.^[1] The same camera was also sold by Adox as the Adrette, released in the late 1930s,^[2]

Expensive models of the early Edinex and Adrette were offered with unit focusing and fast lenses, while cheaper models had slower front cell focusing lenses. In both cases, the lens and shutter unit is mounted on a telescopic tube.

Contents 1 Edinex models 2 Notes 3 Bibliography 4 Links

Edinex modelsEdit

Models and info are as to McKeown's pp.1001-1002.

• Edinex (original) (1935-50s)
• Edinex I (1949)
• Edinex I (1951)
• Edinex II (c.1951)
• Edinex II (flat front, c.1953
• Edinex III (1950)
• Edinex III (1951)
• Edinex III-S (1952)
• Edinex S, Edinex Synhro (name variants of Edinex models, used in GB and US dealers.

Early Edinex, Schneider Xenon 4.5cm f/2, Compur-Rapid shutter. A Japanese Walz rangefinder is mounted on the accessory post. Pictures by Herrschmidtke. (Image rights)

Early Edinex or Adrette, Meyer Trioplan 5cm f/4.5, Compur shutter. Picture by Skagman. (Image rights)

Production of the camera was resumed after World War II. The exposure counter was modified and a body release was added c.1949.^[3] In the early 1950s, the viewfinder was integrated in a small housing, with an accessory shoe replacing the cylindrical post of earlier models. This version was made with a body release as the Edinex I, and without as the Edinex II.^[4] Some cameras from that period have a hinged door on the back, to make film loading easier.

Edinex II, Staeble Kata 50mm f/2.8, Vario shutter. Picture by Montanaman1. (Image rights)

The Edinex III has a coupled rangefinder and unit focusing. It was made with and without an accessory shoe.

Edinex III, Rodenstock Heligon 50mm f/2, Compur-Rapid shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights)

The Edinex III-S is a less advanced version of the Edinex III, with separate eyepieces for the view and rangefinder.

Edinex III-S, Pronto shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights)

The last version of the Edinex, released c.1953,^[5] has a fixed lens tube and an additional fairing at the front of the body, joining the characteristic grips on both sides. The example pictured below has a Pronto four-speed shutter and a 4.2cm f/2.8 Culminar lens with a focusing scale in feet combined with a depth-of-field scale.

Late Edinex, Wirgin Edinar 43mm f/3.5, Vario shutter (B, 25, 75, 200). Pictures by Daniel T. Jones. (Image rights)

Notes Edit

1. ↑ McKeown, p.1001, says c.1935. Some websites, including a prior version of this page, say 1927, but this seems way too early.
2. ↑ McKeown, p.10. Some websites, including a prior version of this page, say 1934, but this is perhaps a mistake.
3. ↑ McKeown, p.1001.
4. ↑ McKeown, pp.1001–2.
5. ↑ McKeown, p.1002.

Bibliography Edit

• McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Pp.10 and 1001–2.

Links Edit

In English:

• Wirgin Edinex I @ The Virtual Camera Museum

In French:

• On www.collection-appareils.com by Sylvain Halgand :
  • Wirgin Edinex
  • Wirgin Edinex II
  • Wirgin Edinex III-S