Asahiflex - Collecting a gem

**Baard-Einar** · 03-25-2018, 09:49 AM

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Originally posted by Moe49

HA !!
That photo above looks like my Asahiflex-I
Which I purchased right here at PF-Marketplace a few years ago

Thanks Isaac W.

Yes, it is Isaac. I added a note to where the photo was found.

Thanks, Baard-Einar

---------- Post added 03-25-2018 at 06:50 PM ----------

Originally posted by monochrome

I see. The ring around the terminal looks like a replacement X-terminal from an Asahiflex II or later. I’ll post a good image when it gets here. I don’t care either way. If it is a replacement I’ll just think of it as character.

At least the lens looks correct.

I totally agree, it gives character and history. Such changes intrigues me.

Cheers, Baard-Einar

**sergysergy** · 03-25-2018, 11:02 AM

It looks very cool to me!

**monochrome** · 04-10-2018, 11:09 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Baard-Einar

Yes, it is the Asahiflex I but I have never seen that look on the flash terminal. See this screenshot showing the way the terminal looks on all of the Asahiflex I that I've seen.

Screenshot from PF marketplace.

I have the camera in-hand. It appears to be a repair. There is even a scratch on the snout where a screwdriver appears to have slipped out of the slot

**sergysergy** · 04-10-2018, 12:13 PM

I wonder what made them replace that part

Paul Ewins · 06-14-2018, 05:59 PM - **1 Like**

Just a heads up, there is an Asahiflex 500/5 on eBay at the moment, although given the price (1499 euros) I'm not sure anyone will be rushing to buy it. Anyway it is later than mine (mine is serial 59462, this one is 96047) but also has a slightly different tripod mount and a metric scale compared to the imperial scale on mine. It is being sold in Austria, so maybe the metric scale is simply a regional difference.

**Baard-Einar** · 06-17-2018, 03:45 AM

Originally posted by Paul Ewins

Just a heads up, there is an Asahiflex 500/5 on eBay at the moment, although given the price (1499 euros) I'm not sure anyone will be rushing to buy it. Anyway it is later than mine (mine is serial 59462, this one is 96047) but also has a slightly different tripod mount and a metric scale compared to the imperial scale on mine. It is being sold in Austria, so maybe the metric scale is simply a regional difference.

Hi,
Yes, I saw it. The price is above my budget.

It is the very first time I've ever seen one for sale on eBay. One wonder how many was made.

Cheers, Baard-Einar

**sergysergy** · 11-29-2018, 05:56 AM - **1 Like**

Another one that is probably above everybody's budget:
Asahiflex IIb Camera w/50mm Lens Near Mint in Box, case, strap, book #42207 | eBay

reh321 · 11-29-2018, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by sergysergy

Another one that is probably above everybody's budget:
Asahiflex IIb Camera w/50mm Lens Near Mint in Box, case, strap, book #42207 | eBay

$699 is almost exactly the price I paid last week for my KP.

**Baard-Einar** · 12-03-2018, 05:47 AM

Originally posted by sergysergy

Another one that is probably above everybody's budget:
Asahiflex IIb Camera w/50mm Lens Near Mint in Box, case, strap, book #42207 | eBay

Pricy! But it is cool that it has the box after all these years.

**monochrome** · 12-04-2018, 05:46 PM

Shame about the lens cap. How was it lost?

**psoo** · 12-04-2018, 07:40 PM - **1 Like**

I started a thread in these Forums on 6/1/15 entitled "The most beautiful Pentax ever made" which in my opinion is the Asahiflex. Quite a few people agreed with me but there were many who had there own favorites

**Baard-Einar** · 03-17-2019, 11:19 PM

Dear forum.

I want to "bounce" this thread up a bit. This time with a challenge: Spring is around the corner in my parts of the world, if it would just stop snowing... The challenge is: Take your Asahiflex out of storage, arm it with a roll of film, shoot and share the results here on PF.

Cheers.

**Baard-Einar** · 04-03-2019, 11:59 PM - **1 Like**

Last night, this interesting user manual landed in my mail box.

It was issues by Sears, Roebuck and Co together with the Tower 23. Which is a rebranded Asahiflex IA, or version 1 or 2 of Asahiflex IIB. The camera shown in the illustration is a Asahiflex IIB version 1, i.e. from November 1954 to 1956. From an old Sears add, this camera retailed for $77.50.

The Tower 23 had the slowest standard lens, 50mm f3.5 If you wanted the faster lens, you would buy the Tower 24, that came with 58mm f2.4.

From an article in Popular Photography, March 1955, under the What’s New column, a camera called just Tower is mentioned. I have never seen an Asahiflex just branded Tower. Guess this is a pre-sale add.

Paul Ewins · 04-04-2019, 07:51 PM - **3 Likes**

I think these were the last two bodies I needed for the Asahiflex/Tower collection and they both turned up on eBay within a week. There is still the 83mm to get and all manner of sundry bits too I guess.

**Baard-Einar** · 04-13-2019, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by Paul Ewins

I think these were the last two bodies I needed for the Asahiflex/Tower collection and they both turned up on eBay within a week. There is still the 83mm to get and all manner of sundry bits too I guess.

Looks good! Do you have the Tower 29? Several Asahiflex SLR have been on eBay during the last few weeks.

04-03-2019, 11:59 PM - 1 Like	#118
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Tower 23 User Manual Last night, this interesting user manual landed in my mail box. It was issues by Sears, Roebuck and Co together with the Tower 23. Which is a rebranded Asahiflex IA, or version 1 or 2 of Asahiflex IIB. The camera shown in the illustration is a Asahiflex IIB version 1, i.e. from November 1954 to 1956. From an old Sears add, this camera retailed for $77.50. The Tower 23 had the slowest standard lens, 50mm f3.5 If you wanted the faster lens, you would buy the Tower 24, that came with 58mm f2.4. From an article in Popular Photography, March 1955, under the What’s New column, a camera called just Tower is mentioned. I have never seen an Asahiflex just branded Tower. Guess this is a pre-sale add. Attached Images

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03-25-2018, 09:49 AM	#106
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by Moe49 HA !! That photo above looks like my Asahiflex-I Which I purchased right here at PF-Marketplace a few years ago Thanks Isaac W. Yes, it is Isaac. I added a note to where the photo was found. Thanks, Baard-Einar ---------- Post added 03-25-2018 at 06:50 PM ---------- Originally posted by monochrome I see. The ring around the terminal looks like a replacement X-terminal from an Asahiflex II or later. I’ll post a good image when it gets here. I don’t care either way. If it is a replacement I’ll just think of it as character. At least the lens looks correct. I totally agree, it gives character and history. Such changes intrigues me. Cheers, Baard-Einar

03-25-2018, 11:02 AM	#107
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	It looks very cool to me!

04-10-2018, 11:09 AM - 1 Like	#108
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Baard-Einar Yes, it is the Asahiflex I but I have never seen that look on the flash terminal. See this screenshot showing the way the terminal looks on all of the Asahiflex I that I've seen. Screenshot from PF marketplace. I have the camera in-hand. It appears to be a repair. There is even a scratch on the snout where a screwdriver appears to have slipped out of the slot

04-10-2018, 12:13 PM	#109
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	I wonder what made them replace that part

06-14-2018, 05:59 PM - 1 Like	#110
Paul Ewins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 274	Just a heads up, there is an Asahiflex 500/5 on eBay at the moment, although given the price (1499 euros) I'm not sure anyone will be rushing to buy it. Anyway it is later than mine (mine is serial 59462, this one is 96047) but also has a slightly different tripod mount and a metric scale compared to the imperial scale on mine. It is being sold in Austria, so maybe the metric scale is simply a regional difference.

06-17-2018, 03:45 AM	#111
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Originally posted by Paul Ewins Just a heads up, there is an Asahiflex 500/5 on eBay at the moment, although given the price (1499 euros) I'm not sure anyone will be rushing to buy it. Anyway it is later than mine (mine is serial 59462, this one is 96047) but also has a slightly different tripod mount and a metric scale compared to the imperial scale on mine. It is being sold in Austria, so maybe the metric scale is simply a regional difference. Hi, Yes, I saw it. The price is above my budget. It is the very first time I've ever seen one for sale on eBay. One wonder how many was made. Cheers, Baard-Einar

11-29-2018, 05:56 AM - 1 Like	#112
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	Another one that is probably above everybody's budget: Asahiflex IIb Camera w/50mm Lens Near Mint in Box, case, strap, book #42207 \| eBay

11-29-2018, 07:39 AM	#113
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Originally posted by sergysergy Another one that is probably above everybody's budget: Asahiflex IIb Camera w/50mm Lens Near Mint in Box, case, strap, book #42207 \| eBay $699 is almost exactly the price I paid last week for my KP.

12-03-2018, 05:47 AM	#114
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Originally posted by sergysergy Another one that is probably above everybody's budget: Asahiflex IIb Camera w/50mm Lens Near Mint in Box, case, strap, book #42207 \| eBay Pricy! But it is cool that it has the box after all these years.

12-04-2018, 05:46 PM	#115
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Shame about the lens cap. How was it lost?

12-04-2018, 07:40 PM - 1 Like	#116
psoo Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 485	I started a thread in these Forums on 6/1/15 entitled "The most beautiful Pentax ever made" which in my opinion is the Asahiflex. Quite a few people agreed with me but there were many who had there own favorites

03-17-2019, 11:19 PM	#117
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Dear forum. I want to "bounce" this thread up a bit. This time with a challenge: Spring is around the corner in my parts of the world, if it would just stop snowing... The challenge is: Take your Asahiflex out of storage, arm it with a roll of film, shoot and share the results here on PF. Cheers.

04-04-2019, 07:51 PM - 3 Likes	#119
Paul Ewins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 274	I think these were the last two bodies I needed for the Asahiflex/Tower collection and they both turned up on eBay within a week. There is still the 83mm to get and all manner of sundry bits too I guess.

04-13-2019, 12:05 PM	#120
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964 Original Poster	Originally posted by Paul Ewins I think these were the last two bodies I needed for the Asahiflex/Tower collection and they both turned up on eBay within a week. There is still the 83mm to get and all manner of sundry bits too I guess. Looks good! Do you have the Tower 29? Several Asahiflex SLR have been on eBay during the last few weeks.