Mecaflex

[rolleistef]

Hello,

I've got a question for fortunate collectors...
I just a got a super-rare Mecaflex (for those who don't know it : it's a 24x24 SLR which is by far one of the smallest slr ever (except some Pens), designed by Herr Killfit, like the Robot hence the format)

If there is anyone of you who do own that camera, i'd like to know if you've be confronted to a stuck light curtain?
I'll post photos as soon as my digital camera has its battery full again.

 

[whitecat]

Very interesting camera. I saw one on evil bay for $1,200.00. I think there is a write up on it in Shutterbug this month.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Stéphane,

What lens has yours? Mine had a Som-Berthiot Kilfitt Macro-Kilar. It worked OK as I recall but I sold it 30 years ago. The camera was engraved 'SEROA MONACO'; I never knew why. There are pics of it on page 95 of my A History of the 35mm Still Camera, Focal Press, 1984.

Cheers,

R.

 

[rolleistef]

Hello,
here are the photos! Mine is a SERAO Monaco also, the reason why is very simple : after a few years, the production line was moved for Germany to Monaco, were the last Mecaflexs very made. Its serial number is 571, meaning that it was the 571st Mecaflex made in Monaco (I think the total production was about 4000 cameras, hence its very high price. It was given to me by a friend, who's currently looking for his extension rings and the VF. Yes it's worth more than 1500€ or 2000$... even more with accessories!

I've put some petrol in the camera and it's now perfectly working, it was running a bit dry... or rather, was overloaded with old grease that was immediatly dissolved and freed the mechanism which clics normally.
Very intriguing camera : single lens reflex, central shutter inside the camera with both a mirror and a light flap (which isn't a curtain eventually, but a metal part). No instant return mirror, the light flap closes, the mirror goes down, the shutter re-opens so that you can frame. There is also a preselection diaphragm device : you reopen back to 2.8, you hear a click (says the owner manual), which is the part a the bottom of the lens, and you can choose the aperture afterwards. There is a little pin which is activated by the shutter release (hidden behind the cover, I shall post more pictures later) and the frees the little part and close the diaphragm. Since it's a bit long to close and sticky at the moment, I use a well known move : half press the shutter release so that the diaphragm can close completely before the picture is taken, and then take the picture. Sounds familiar? 😉

I've posted a photo of the camera side by side with a pocket book some will recognise (great play!), which is normally 18cm or 5.5' hig. Tiny eh ? 🙂