[FozzFoster]

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Hello friends!

I would like to provide a status update on my History of Pentax video project.

Thanks to recent contributors, I now believe I have content for all cameras 'Pentax' ever sold - and then some!
I have nearly completed recording my portion of the audio script and my wife has just started recording her parts.
Then I have to edit it all down and produce... but we are getting there!
Seriously impressive and interesting equipment - the finished movie is going to be a lot of fun to watch




...However, the original Asahiflex 'I' eludes me.

I have footage for the Ia, IIb, IIa - but not the original 'I'.

In addition, on PentaxForums camera user reviews, there are ZERO user reviews posted for the original Asahiflex: here

To top it off, the Forums camera listing states the Asahiflex 'I' was sold under the name 'Tower'. I can find no real examples of this 'Tower' camera existing - All Tower models I've seen have numbers following (ex. Tower 23)...

Therefore, I come to reasonable conclusion that there are absolutely no original Asahiflex 'I' cameras in existences. Maybe never existed. Same with the 'Tower'. All lies.

Prove me wrong.
Send me a ~1 minute video clip of your Asahiflex 'I' that I can include in my History of Pentax video.
Details to my project can be found: here and here





If I don't find a contributor to provide footage for the Asahiflex 'I', then I might have to use a screen shot from PentaxForums...
something like this:

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

Not ideal, but I could make it work...

please prove me wrong !

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Last edited by FozzFoster; 01-15-2022 at 02:16 PM.

[Ole]

I created the PF camera database entry for the original Asahiflex. The images in the database entry for the "I" date back to 2005 and were shot with a Pentax *ist DS according to the EXIF. I will research my archives and PM you regarding the source of the images.

[FozzFoster]

I created the PF camera database entry for the original Asahiflex. The images in the database entry for the "I" date back to 2005 and were shot with a Pentax *ist DS according to the EXIF. I will research my archives and PM you regarding the source of the images.

That'd be great Ole! Thanks for checkin

[LesDMess]

If you haven't seen these, here are some links for you . . .
Early History of Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera In it is the link to Japan's first SLR: The ASAHIFLEX
Asahi Optical Historical Club Asahiflex I
B&H PhotoVideo Who Brought Us the SLR?

[ramseybuckeye]

There is an existing one on ebay
Rare 1952 Asahiflex I original model sn 28295 Asahi Kogaku 50mm f3.5 Lens Pentax | eBay

and a nicer one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175059605605?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

[FozzFoster]

one on ebay

...that's how they keep up the charade

---------- Post added 01-15-22 at 05:04 PM ----------

I've actually contacted about 5 ebay sellers asking if they'd be interested in contributing to no avail.
Unless a real user can testify, and prove it, I don't believe!

[ramseybuckeye]

...that's how they keep up the charade

---------- Post added 01-15-22 at 05:04 PM ----------

I've actually contacted about 5 ebay sellers asking if they'd be interested in contributing to no avail.
Unless a real user can testify, and prove it, I don't believe!

Could be tough, according to this website, only 7500 were produced and were not exported out of Japan. BUT - It also shows a couple of collectors that have it, with contact info.

[titrisol]

There's a few images in flickr and in camera-wiki.org
Asahiflex I-2 | TOM | Flickr

If it is in the books by Keppler and by Gerjan vanOosten, my doubts are very very small

[Joetitch]

Follow the rocking horse with your pooper scooper🤪

[ismaelg]

Hello,

I doubt the original Asahiflex I was sold under the Sears Tower brand. And there was never a "Tower" without a number or additional name designation.
I'd love to get my hands on a "I" just for the purpose of helping your project.

Thanks,
Ismael

[garywakeling]

?Tested! Fully working!?1952 Asahi Opt Japan Asahiflex-I 24x36mm | eBay

They exist but sadly I will not be buying it at the moment Good luck in the hunt

[gordon_l34]

Hi All,

I have two Asahiflex 1's

The quickest way to identify one is they only have one flash port on the front where the later ones have two flash ports.

Their serial numbers are all below 30,000.

The correct lens serial numbers are close to the cameras serial number.

Regards,
Gordon.

[garywakeling]

Hi All,

I have two Asahiflex 1's

The quickest way to identify one is they only have one flash port on the front where the later ones have two flash ports.

Their serial numbers are all below 30,000.

The correct lens serial numbers are close to the cameras serial number.

Regards,
Gordon.

Hi Gordon, put him out of his misery and take a quick 1 minute video of them so that he can finish his video with the original camera of yours leading the pack. Oh and when you need to thin the herd remember your fellow aussies Cheers Gary

[FozzFoster]

I have two Asahiflex 1's

put him out of his misery and take a quick 1 minute video of them

Hi Gordon - would you please be able to send me a quick 1 minute video displaying your Asahiflex?
Nothing terribly fancy - just displaying the front, sides, top, bottom - maybe using the film advance lever to reset the mirror?
File could be transferred via DropBox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer?
Please let me know if you're able to contribute
Cheers!

[Moe49]

Therefore, I come to reasonable conclusion that there are absolutely no original Asahiflex 'I' cameras in existences.

I have one, which I found for sale here at PF Marketplace in 2015 (the For Sale picture below), s/n 29529.
My understanding is ~7500 were made and originally only sold in Japan.

The best way to 'spot' one is by the Shutter Speed Dial markings, which are:
B 20 30 40 60 100 200 500