Rare Nikon Twin Lens Reflex Camera

Larry Cloetta

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Okay, just having a little fun with clickbait, while suffering from lockdown depression. Please excuse the jest.
But, there is an interesting story here. Nikon did, at one time, draw up plans for entering the TLR market, with this:



Didn't happen, obviously, but around that same period, while apparently toying with the idea, Nikon did make a few Nikkor-Q TLR lenses available to Aires, who then used them in a small smattering of their TLR cameras, instead of their normal, in house, Coral lenses. Aires used them in the Aires Automat, and perhaps (I don't know) a few of their Airesreflex bodies.






Glass on this one is perfect, that's just dust on the lens.

These are very nice lenses, IMO, and the camera is a very nice picture making machine. The cameras themselves are a bit clunky, (my impression was of farm implements) but very solid and seemingly bullet proof. Mine wasn't much of a looker, but always worked without major issues, though the frame spacing could at times be a bit large, and I am sure mine never had any kind of service inflicted upon it.
Focusing screen is dimmer, especially around the periphery, than the screen on my Yashica D, or Rolleiflex 3.5F, but it is sharper and easier to focus than the Yashica, and about as easy as the Rolleiflex.

A a couple of representative photos to follow.
 
I was wondering what a case of COVID lockdown depression could possibly look like, let alone even manifest...in Jackson Hole WY.

It's like everywhere else, only colder. Granted, until mid-May everyone normally has to stay inside anyway. It's already been 10 deg below here, and it's only October.
Criminy.
 
Beautiful pictures! Most impressive results. I've been looking for one of the Aires TLRs with Nikkors for some time. Aires made some very nice cameras.

I sold this camera yesterday. I had been wanting to post a thread on the Nikkor lensed Aires TLRs for quite a while, and never got around to it. Needing to sell it, along with some other things, and still wanting to post this thread about the camera itself, I didn't want to post a positive thread about the camera here, while simultaneously advertising it here. Just looks bad.
Sold on eBay, so I thought I could then go ahead and post this thread, so no one would be questioning motives.
They are interesting cameras, and I've never been able to find out any solid information about the Nikon connection, other than that they had a working relationship for a while, during a time period when Aires was trying to up its game. And, yes, they did make some nice cameras with some very nice lenses on the rangefinders.

Oddly enough, it ended up being someone from the forum here who bought the camera on eBay, 13 minutes after I listed it for sale.
 
It's like everywhere else, only colder. Granted, until mid-May everyone normally has to stay inside anyway. It's already been 10 deg below here, and it's only October.
Criminy.

Well, son lives in Fort collins so I do get reports changing weather conditions...including the recent cold.

But in California its fire/smoke season. Good reasons for depression.

Jackson one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
 
I sold this camera yesterday. I had been wanting to post a thread on the Nikkor lensed Aires TLRs for quite a while, and never got around to it. Needing to sell it, along with some other things, and still wanting to post this thread about the camera itself, I didn't want to post a positive thread about the camera here, while simultaneously advertising it here. Just looks bad.
Sold on eBay, so I thought I could then go ahead and post this thread, so no one would be questioning motives.
They are interesting cameras, and I've never been able to find out any solid information about the Nikon connection, other than that they had a working relationship for a while, during a time period when Aires was trying to up its game. And, yes, they did make some nice cameras with some very nice lenses on the rangefinders.

Oddly enough, it ended up being someone from the forum here who bought the camera on eBay, 13 minutes after I listed it for sale.

Too bad I missed out! I'm sure the new owner will be most pleased.
 
Larry, I too have a Nikon TLR. It says TOWER REFLEX, was made by Aires, and was sold by Sears. A major difference from yours is it uses Ser.5 drop in filters instead of bayonet filters. Minor differences are it has a locking lever on the shutter release button, two flash connections , and no exposure chart on the back. Right now it it looks nearly new, but it has very stiff controls and needs a CLA.
 
There were two versions of the Aires, and of the Tower, one with knob advance, and one with crank advance. I own the Tower with the crank (it is currently a basket case), and as of yesterday, became the owner of Larry’s Aires. And if the pictures posted here are any indication, I don’t think that I will be displeased.
 
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