Ciro-flex Twin Lens Reflex Camera
From the Collection of William V. Leavy
Photo thanks to Bill Leavy
[email protected]
Ciro Cameras Inc. of Delaware, Ohio made the Ciroflex TLR during the decade
of the 1940s. The company later made a ciro 35 (35mm rangefinder) in the early
1950s, which proved a poor enough selling model that Graflex bought the tooling
for their Graphic 35.
The Ciroflex was a 6x6cm TLR which came in models from A through F. McKeown's
Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras (1992-93 edition) suggests models A-D
generally bring $20-30, while the better and slightly less common models E and F
may bring a few dollars more ($30-40). For current prices, see
EBAY under completed auctions (search options).
The Ciroflex provides
shutter speeds from 1/10th through 1/200th, plus Bulb and Time with the
Alpha or Rapax shutters. The Wollensak 85mm f/3.5 (to f/22) lens gets good marks
(see poster notes below). Like any production camera of this period, you may
find various small differences in models and production runs, as noted below.
The Ciroflex TLR would be a step above the bottom and lowest price TLR tier.
For $20-30+ on Ebay, you might find a decent Ciroflex TLR, or perhaps a little
more for a good example at a camera show. For the price of a few pizzas and beer,
you can be shooting medium format shots with 120 rollfilm. I would recommend such
a TLR over some of the lowest cost models (such as the Russian Lubitel, which has good
optics but gets marked down due to light leaks and construction quality control
problems, I'm afraid). Still, if you care to invest $100 or so, a used Rolleicord
TLR would be a better buy (with its four element lens). See our
TLR pages for more discussion and postings on best buys in TLRs!
Ciro-Flex Twin Lens Reflex Camera Model E. Mint condition, appears unused. Manufactured in Delaware, Ohio. Comes with original leather case (also in excellent condition), original box, original instruction book, and service warranty. Copyright date of the instruction book is 1948, so I'd assume that's the approximate date of camera manufacture.
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format From: [email protected] (GLewis4457) [1] Re: Low budget medium format questions Date: Tue Mar 24 1998 The poster said "CHEAP", $200-300 is cheap only relative to $500-1000. I guess I was lucky, I bought a Ciroflex 6x6 Mod. D TLR with Wollensack 80mm lens on ebay auction for $22.50 and it is great. Takes very sharp pics, is light, will built, uses standard 120. Viewfinder could be brighter. BTW, I have used/owned the C-220 and 330 and while good cameras they weigh like boat anchors. Jerry in Houston Jerry Lewis League City, TX., USA
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected]
[1] looking for info on ciro-flex
Date: Mon Oct 19 1998
I picked up an old Ciro-flex TLR camera this
weekend. I'm interested in finding out a bit abo
the camera, age, history etc.
The taking lens is a Wollensak Velostigmt 85mm
F3.5, & the shutter is a Wollensak Alpha shutter
speed 10 - 200, f 3.5 -22. A possible serial #
9027, and it was made in Detroit Michigan.
If anyone knows anything more about this camera
I'd be curious to know more.
William
rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
From: [email protected] (Edward1953)
[1] Re: looking for info on ciro-flex
Date: Sat Oct 31 1998
You might check with Bobert Pins Inc. He sells Ciro-flex's and might have
more
info. He's listed in Shutterbug. Ed A.
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999
From: "Robert H. PICKARD" [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: "Circ-flex" Page
Hi,
Re: "Circ-flex" Page
There are two major typos:
The page name and picture caption should be " Ciro-flex" and NOT
"Circ-flex".
I own a Ciro-flex Model F that I bought when I was in college in 1950.
I still use this camera.
It has a Wollensak 83mm/f3.2 Raptar Lens in a Wollensak Rapax shutter.
Aperture range is f3.2 to f22.
Shutter speeds are T, B, and 1 sec through 1/400 sec.
Flash sync is selectable: M, F, X.
It takes twelve (2 1/4" x 2 1/4") pictures on 120 film.
I also have:
Conversion kit for 828 film Lens shade & filter adapter Graflite flash unit and bracket Instruction Book Leather case
If you would like to include this model on your page, I can take and
email digital pictures of the above items.
Cheers,
Bob Pickard
[Ed. note: I have made these changes and fixes as it matches my other
sources and collector's guides]
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999
From: "Robert H. PICKARD" [email protected]
To: Robert Monaghan [email protected]
Subject: Re: "Circ-flex" Page
Hi Bobm,
The Ciro-flex name is printed on the front nameplate of the camera in a
stylized script and the o is not completely closed. A person not
familiar with the name might read it as "Circ-flex. Believe me, it IS
Ciroflex.
It is interesting to note that Graflex Inc. bought out Ciro-flex and
marketed a camera identical to the Ciro-flex. The only difference is
that the front nameplate now reads "GRAFLEX 22".
.....
Cheers,
Bob Pickard
[Ed. note: Mr. Knoppow is a noted camera repair expert etc.]
From Rollei Mailing List:
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2000
From: Richard Knoppow [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Rollei] Rollei with wrong hood
>Bob > >Waitaminit! I seem to recall that a member of our group has and uses a >Ciroflex. Even >bought some accessories for it. > >BTW, do any of you rmember the best of the US made TLRs? The Ansco Reflex II? >If so, do you have any experiences with it? I remember salivating over it in >the late '40s, >but then new Rolleis became available again, for just a few dollars more. Now I >think >I'd like to try one out again. > >Jerry
My first real camera was a Ciroflex bought used for not very much. As I
remember it had a Wollensak f3.7 lens in a Wollensak Alphax shutter.
Ciroflexes were offered with several Wollensak lenses of varying quality
at
diffent prices. Not a bad little camera. They were all-metal and nearly
indestructable.
After exhausting its possibilities I graduated to a Rolleicord IV, a
just
discontinued model when I got it, and bought new for something like $95.
That camera was stolen from me some twenty years ago. I still miss it
although I have since replaced it with another 'cord IV.
Probably the box, if I still had it, is worth as much as the camera now.
I still have photographs I took with this thing, they look good even
now.
All the stuff I shot with the Ciro got lost in some move many years ago.
The other choice at the time was a used Ikoflex. They are good cameras
but I think I came out ahead of the game.
I used to hang out at Sid Klein's camera shop when I was in my teens and
drooled over a lot of cameras that came out around then. I've since
acquired some of them but several are now practically collector's items
e.g. the Leica M3. I also had big eyes for Speed Graphics, of which I now
have five.
My first encounter with a Rolleiflex was when I was about seven and
living in Miami Beach. Some friend of my grandparents had one and let me
hold it and look through the finder one afternoon. I did _not_ want to
give
it back and can remember the details of the camera still.
----
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles,Ca.
[email protected]
From Rollei Mailing LIst:
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000
From: "Vivienne M. Coutant" [email protected]
Subject: Re: OTCiroflex (was[Rollei] Rollei with wrong hood)
Yes, I have several Ciroflexes, and while they're not Rolleis, they are
solid unpretentious all-American steel, and the optics aren't too bad,
either. The good ones with the coated Wollensak Anastigmat 3.5 in the
Rapax shutter, are about on a par with my baby Graphics. I gave one to my
father-in-law for Christmas, to replace one he bought in the early 50's,
and he's thrilled with it. I should use mine more.
Richard H. Coutant
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000
From: John Jensen [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Re[2]: [Rollei] Rollei with wrong hood
I had a Ciroflex when I was in high school (early 50s). It was a prewar
model and I had it X-synched during my time with it. It took some very
nice photos during the next five years and was eventually sold in 1957
(when I got a new Yashica TLR, then new on the market). This was when
I was still in school (university, but still a tight budget).
The Yashica was quite nice. A friend of mine bought one also but
complained about stickiness of the slow shutter speeds. Rather than take
it back, he had a repairman take a look at it. The repairman was at first
nervous about opening it up but when he saw the mechanics of the shutter,
he felt right at home and did a CLA and everything was right (as it should
have been, being a new camera).
Mine I kept for several years until I bought a new Rolleiflex 3.5
(Xenotar), which I still have. By that time I had graduated from
university and had a real job (with money).
John Jensen
From Medium Format Mailing List;
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [medium-format] Ciroflex question, model and lens?
Per,
There were four general levels of Ciroflex cameras, the later ones had
flash sync the earlier ones not:
1- Pre 1940 early models with large focus knob also called MARVELFLEX
(uncoated lenses).
Post 1945 models - all with coated lenses and small (normal) focus knob-
2- Inexpensive model in Alphax self cocking shutter- three element lens.
3- Intermediate model (you have) three element lens and 1/400th Rapax
shutter.
4- Deluxe model - four element lens and 1/400th Rapax Shutter.
These are so common over here and so cheap - $5 to $40 and nobody wants
them.
I had them all and have only kept the Deluxe model.
They are all good picture takers and some are pro quality. If your camera
is broken you can fix it or get a better one - or build it into something
else.
They were also sold in revised models (both 1/200th and 1/400th models) as
GRAFLEX 22 and DEJUR REFLEX.
- Sam Sherman
----------
>From: "Per Backman" [email protected] >To: "[email protected]" [email protected] >Subject: Re: [medium-format] Ciroflex question, model and lens? >Date: Tue, May 15, 2001, 2:20 AM > >[email protected] wrote: > >>Per: See http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/ciroflex_e.htm. Also, do a search for >>"cir flex" on the Medium Format Digest, >>http://www.photo.net/search/?sections=bboard. I have two of these cameras, >>and have had great fun with them. >> >I have searched, also Google and Altavista, there is not much I could find >out. What is the difference between the "Anastigmat", "Velostigmat" and >"Raptar" lenses? > >I like the camera too, but the lens gives a bit too much distortion. It may >be something else, like the front board not beeing parallel to the film, >but I could not find out so far. > >Per B. >The PHOTO page; >Images (nude), B/W Formulae (lots of them); >In English, auf deutsch, po polsku; >http://hem.fyristorg.com/pbackman/
From Medium Format Mailing LIst;
Date: Mon, 14 May 2001
From: Per Backman [email protected]
Subject: [medium-format] Ciroflex question, model and lens?
Hello,
I have got a Ciroflex, it seems to be an older version. I have tried to
find what model it is (it does not say at the distance scale) and also
tried to find out something about the lens.
The camera has got a Wollensak Anastigmat (not Velostigmat, no other name,
just Anastigmat) 85/3,5, it is coated. It seems to be a three-element
cooketype lens, which does not seem to be very good. What reputation did
it have half a century ago?
The shutter is Rapax 1-1/400+B+T, no synch. I can not figure out which
model this combination is, all cameras I have found on the net seems to
have a "Raptar" with the Rapax shutter. This one has a black lens barrel
for both the taking and the viewing lens, which makes me think it is an
older one.
Per B.
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