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Asahiflex IIa

Reviews Views Date of last review
3 38,782 Mon December 11, 2017
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $365.00 9.33
Asahiflex IIa

Asahiflex IIa
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Asahiflex IIa
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Asahiflex IIa
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Asahiflex IIa
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Asahiflex IIa
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Description:
The Asahiflex IIa had no 'IIa' model designation on the body but was just labeled Asahiflex like the other models. This camera came later than the 'IIb' model (which continued to be available), had the instant return mirror and introduced slow shutter speeds which were set through a dial on the front. The IIa retained the secondary eye-level viewfinder.

Asahiflex IIa
Also marketed as
Tower 22
Year introduced
1955
Year discontinued
1957
Mount
M37
Automatic aperture stop down
No
Metering
No meter
Exposure modes
Manual
Shutter speeds (manual)
T, B, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500s
Shutter speeds (mechanical)
T, B, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500s
Shutter dials
Two, one on the top plate for the fast speeds 1/25s and up, and one on the front for the slow speeds.
Self timer
No
Mirror lock-up
No
Multiple exposures
Yes
Film advance
Knob
Flash hot shoe
No
Flash contact
Two: One FP and one X contact on the front
Built-in flash
No
TTL/P-TTL flash
No
Flash sync speed
1/50s
Flash exposure comp
Not applicable
Viewfinder type
1) Folding waist level, 2) Galilean eye-level
Instant return mirror
Yes
Diopter correction
No
Exchangeable screen
No
Depth of field preview
No
Image size
24 x 26mm
Battery
No

Comment
The secondary (eye-level) viewfinder matched a 50mm lens.
Some later IIa models had the M42 screw mount.
Price History:



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Site Supporter

Registered: November, 2010
Location: California
Posts: 2,223
Review Date: December 11, 2017 Recommended | Price: $550.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Beautiful, excellent engineering, easy to work although the long-way method
Cons: Nothing Really

Like to find one almost mint with CLA done, everything is working as silk. I am shooting my first roll with it. I will post photos once I have developed it. I am so excited that I did not want to wait for this review. I do have four lenses: 50/3.5, 50/2.4, 83/1.9 and 135/3.5. Just what I needed. I do not count lack of light metering as a negative, since I use the Sunny 16 rule for black and white, and I do have a hand-held meter for color or for indoors.

Here are some of the pics on my first roll: Kodak100Tmax developed on Rodianl, Stand Development.

Asahiflex IIa by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Asahiflex IIa by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Asahiflex IIa by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr





----------------

Some more using the Asahi-Kogaku 50/3.5 and Kodak Trix developed on TMaxDeveloper


Asahiflex by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Spotmatic Black by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


Asahiflex by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


San Juan Capistrano by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr


San Juan Capistrano - De Los Rios Street by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr



San Juan Capistrano by Palenquero Photography, on Flickr
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: June, 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,446
Review Date: February 29, 2012 Recommended | Price: $180.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: size, simplicity, history
Cons: requires careful use, lenses rare

A landmark camera, that is an opportunity to try photography as it was 60 years ago. Yes, the waist-level finder is slow and awkward to use, but at the time the normal use of many cameras was to scale focus, then use the eye-level finder. Used that way it is fast and fun, and you always have the SLR finder for critical focus when needed.
I love the small size and simple mechanical design.
Eric replaced the curtains, as they had gotten stiff with time.
   
Senior Member

Registered: December, 2006
Location: Lincoln, UK
Posts: 229
Review Date: May 17, 2011 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: A real Gem!
Cons: Slow to use

Although difficult to use and slow, it is a real delight to be able to use such a well made piece of work. I have both the IIA with the 3.5 lens and the Tower 22 with the 2.4.

Kim
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