Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 
Log in or register to remove ads.

Pentax Camera Reviews » Pentax Film Cameras » Pentax M37 Screwmount SLRs
Asahiflex IIb Review RSS Feed

Asahiflex IIb

Reviews Views Date of last review
2 26,150 Tue May 17, 2011
spacer
Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers None indicated 8.50
Asahiflex IIb

Asahiflex IIb
supersize
Asahiflex IIb
supersize
Asahiflex IIb
supersize
Asahiflex IIb
supersize
Asahiflex IIb
supersize

Description:
The Asahiflex IIb had no 'IIb' model designation on the body but was just labeled Asahiflex like the first models. This camera replaced the 'Ia' model and introduced the instant return mirror which was a major breakthrough: the view finder would no longer stay black after exposure. Asahi was the first company to introduce this feature commercially. The secondary eye-level viewfinder was retained although it now thanks to the new mirror mechanism was possible to follow moving objects through the waist level viewfinder.

The Asahiflex IIb came in three versions:

* An early version which had arrows on the top plate
* A middle version with triangles on the top plate
* A late version which was basically a IIa with the slow shutter speeds removed and a plug on the front panel where the dial for the slow speeds would otherwise have been (see the third photo).

Asahiflex IIb
Also marketed as
Tower 23
Year introduced
1954
Year discontinued
1957
Mount
M37
Automatic aperture stop down
No
Metering
No meter
Exposure modes
Manual
Shutter speeds (manual)
B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500s
Shutter speeds (mechanical)
B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/500s
Shutter dials
One, on the top plate
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
Price History:



Add Review of Asahiflex IIb
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-2 of 2
Moderator
Site Supporter

Registered: June, 2008
Location: Florida Hill Country
Posts: 17,377
Review Date: May 16, 2011 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: small, well made
Cons:

Mine is the 3rd version of this body. These bodies touted an instant return mirror. The featured a waist level finder but also had a Galileo viewfinder that is sort of characteristic of these Asahi m37 bodies. This things are relatively small and somewhat similar to the Praktica FX but those lack an instant return mirror and Galileo finder. These m37 Takumar lenses tend to be jewels in themselves.
   
Senior Member

Registered: December, 2006
Location: Lincoln, UK
Posts: 229
Review Date: May 17, 2011 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: A real Gem
Cons: Slow to use, Lack of slow speeds

Just to add to the review. It was marketed as bothe the Tower 23 and Tower 24 in the US. The Tower 23 had the F3.5 lens and the Tower 24 the F2.4 lens.

I have a Towere 23 which has been used as a "donor" camera to fix the other Flex's and the third version of the Towere 24 which is perhaps the least common.

Kim
Add Review of Asahiflex IIb



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:44 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top