ASAHIFLEX
CAMERAS & LENSES
&
ASAHI BINOCULARS & ODDITIES
For Sale
ATTENTION
Please check item availability
Include Name, Address, Phone Number with Availability Checks
This is to let you know that I have put some new items up from my collection and accumulation of Pentax equipment. I will be continuing to go through my extras to see what I can make available. Some of the items that I have listed are in both the screw mount and later bayonet mount areas. Don't forget to check the non-Pentax equipment page for other items that might interest you.
In order to research and write my book: Asahiflex and the Pre-1959 Asahi Pentax Cameras: A Guide to Identification and Collection, I collected pre-1959 Asahi Optical Company (AOC) cameras and accessories for years. Because of the rareity of many of the pieces, it took that long to put together enough examples to delineate changes in the models and chronology of improvements. As a result of the kindness of many camera collectors, clubs, museums, and some established dealers, I was able to build a collection that finally provided the information to write a guide based on facts, and not simply a literature review.
The items offered here represent key items from my collection. If you have a copy of my guide, you will see that a number of them were used for illustrative images. A Word To The Wise: The early AOC cameras and accessories listed below are very difficult to find, and, my experience has been that once they are sold, they end up in established collections and will not resurface for quite some time. Many of these have been in my collection for years - Please come back often and look.
Condition and Function:
Please remember to read my note on condition and function on the main "Buying a Camera From Me". It is my hope that when you get the item in your hand, you find that it was accurately described, but a little better than you expected. As far as mechanical condition, I am only describing the general shutter and mechanical function. I have shot many of these cameras over the years - I have even taken some backpacking and enjoyed close-up nature photography. It should be understood that these cameras have not been lubricated and adjusted by a repair expert in at least 8 years, and therefore, the shutter speeds on these early Asahi cameras are not accurate. In fact, some shutter curtains may be very slow or not fully close when on slow speeds. If you want a properly timed shutter so that you will have exact shutter speeds, that is a job you will have to take care of yourself. I do not guarantee the accuracy of the shutters or adjustments made by anyone after they leave my possession.
Attention -
Early Asahi Binoculars For Sale
These took me years to collect!!
Jupiter Senior Binoculars - 6X25 (SN 139726),
Stock No - jupsr-crs
PRICE: $159
These binoculars are marked with the AOC logo, and are 6X25 Wide Angle (Field
110 degrees). The binoculars are larger than the tiny AOC binoculars that I
have below. The exterior is in near mint condition and they come with the AOC
case (case side stitches are deteriorating and splitting). Viewing and focusing
is great - the only condition to be noted is that when you shine a light
througn them, you can see that the prisms have a slight haze on them that you
may want to clean. It looks like you can simply remove the screws on the prism
housing.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
Jupiter Junior Binoculars - 6X15 (SN 40721),
Stock No - jupjr-cSY
PRICE: $99
These binoculars are marked with the AOC logo, and are 6x15. The binoculars are
the tiny AOC binoculars. The exterior shows rubs and wear and they come with
the AOC case (case shows wear). Viewing and focusing is great.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
Sport Binoculars - 6X15 (SN
86439),
Stock No - sport-csy
PRICE: $139
These binoculars are marked with the AOC logo, and are 6X15. The binoculars are
the really neat & tiny AOC binoculars. The exterior is in 9+ condition and
they come with a case (case not marked AOC). Viewing is great, but the focusing
eyepieces are stiff. The glass looks very clean when I shine a flaslight
through them.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
ASAHIFLEX CAMERAS
Do Not Miss These
Asahiflex IIB Camera & Lens: Price -
$329.00
(Stock
No. AF2B3-CSY)
Asahiflex IIB (SN 53780) with the 50mm f/3.5 Asahi
Kogaku Takumar lens (SN 78643). The
camera is a relatively early model IIB without the slow-speed dial patch of
later cameras when Asahi used the same chassis for both the IIA & IIB. The camera has the focusing reticule (crosshairs)
on the focus screen; it has a Type 2 Finder, Type 3 Baseplate, Type 4 Shutter
Speed Dial. The shutter fires
nicely; although I am sure it is not accurate. It has the proper finder mask for the
50mm lens. The mirror is a little
worn from prior cleaning – focusing is great. The inside back has some residue inside
the door from a tag of some kind.
The lens focuses great with a smooth aperture – it is clean. There is a little depression on the top
rear of the optical finder – someone must have bumped it years ago. If you want to see some photographs of
this camera, please click on these links – Photo1 Photo 2 Photo3 Photo4 Photo5 Photo6 Photo7
Asahiflex IIa & Original Box, Case, Lens Cap (SN 81794)
Lens: 50 f/3.5 Asahi-Kogaku Takumar (SN 70757)
Stock Number AF2A4-USY
PRICE: $650.00 - SORRY-SOLD!
Special Note: This is a beautiful Asahiflex IIA with Original case, lens cap,
and box - this is a rare find. The shutter needs CLA before shooting.
Top plate: Only one or two bright marks - I would call it mint-
Bottom Plate: Just a few bright marks - I would call it 9+
Leather & Trim: The leather and trim are absolutely beautiful. I would call
it 9+++
Strap Lugs: Beautiful - no wear.
Shutter Function: I took photos with this camera when I first obtained it - it
has been sitting idle for 8 or so years. The second curtain is sluggish and
does not want to travel all the way across the film opening - it will have to
be lubricated and adjusted if you want to shoot it.
Lens: The lens glass is beautifully clean and clear. The exterior of the lens
is in collector condition - it is a beauty. Focus and aperture are smooth.
>br>Lens Cap: Beautiful condition
Case: The case is super clean and nice
Original Box: The box is very clean, sturdy - you will love it. There is some
wear along the inside edge of the felt interior - but, I would call this box
condition 9 - really great!
Overall Comments: Inside and mirror nice and clean - Very important camera for
a serious collection.
ASAHIFLEX LENSES & ACCESSORIES
RARE 105 f/3.5 Zeiss Tessar for Asahiflex (SN 2669759)
Stock Number afz105-cLY -
PRICE: $109 SORRY - ITEM SOLD
The lens is a very unusual lens to find. The glass has some light haze and some
cleaning marks. I think photos will still be great. Aerture and focus are
smooth. Has a sticker that indicates it was sold through Burkes and James
Company. The exterior is very clean.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
85 f/2.8 Steinheil Munchen Culminar for Asahiflex (SN
962098) with no caps.
Stock Number 85stein-cHY
PRICE: $109 SORRY - ITEM SOLD
The lens is in nice condition with normal wear marks in the finish - I would
call it a condition 8. The glass is clean and clear. Aperture is smooth, focus
is somewhat stiff from lack of use over the years.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
ASAHIFLEX EXTENSION TUBES IN BOX: Stock No. AFTUBES3
PRICE: $89
This is a four chrome tube set - nice and clean. The box is in very nice
condition with all lettering. A small amount of the exterior of the box is worn
and the interior dividers are nice and sturdy. Has the original instruction
book.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
ASAHIFLEX BELLOWS UNIT IN BOX:
Stock No: afbel3-CUS
PRICE: $89
Thisis the Asahiflex bellows unit in the original box with original plastic bag
marked "Folding Belowscope." Bellows have scale for 50mm and 100mm
lenses. Box is in nice condition with original fabric interior frocking - has
some splits on corners. Bellows are super clean.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
To see a photograph of the item described above, click HERE.
ASAHI OPTICAL ODDITIES
Do Not Miss These
Suzuki Press Van Camera & 75 Takumar
Lens: Price - $SOLD
This is the only example of this camera that I have ever seen - it is the Suzuki Press Van (SN 11782) with the unusual 75 f/3.5 Asahi Kogaku Takumar lens (SN 32421) made by Asahi Optical Company. Because this camera was made in 1953, the lens looks very much like the style of the lenses found on the Asahiflex cameras. The camera is in beautiful condition with a great working rangefinder and smooth focus. The camera takes 120 roll film and shoots 6x6cm and 4.5x6cm exposures - has a built-in mask for the two sizes. The lens is super clean and the shutter is nice and snappy at all speeds - even one second seems right. It has a 1 second to 1/500 Seikosha-Rapid shutter with standard flash plug like most modern flashes use. Flash sync works great. The chrome is nice and clean - no scratches or dents or dings. The leather is beautiful. The inside is super clean. The bellows are nice and super clean and light tight. It is a beauty for use or for your collection - I would call it condition 9+. It comes with the original case - case has wear with tattered edges. If you want to see some photographs of this camera, please click on these links –
Mine Six Super 66 Camera with 75 Takumar Lens & Original Box: Price - $325.00
I am offering my Mine Six Super 66 camera (SN 57794) – it is in almost like new condition in the original box with case & instructions. It comes with a 75mm f/3.5 Asahi-Kogaku T-Takumar lens (SN 21779) in a Copal MXV shutter. The lens is beautifully clean and clear, the rangefinder works great and the images match. Focus and aperture are smooth. It has a standard flash sync post that works. The shutter is nice and snappy at 1/25th and above – below that it is sticky. The camera is supposed to switch from 6x6 to 4.5x6cm exposures; however, I do not see the mask that is usually present for the 4.5x6. The box has had split seams taped. Overall, the box is nice. If you want to see some photographs of this camera, please click on these links – Photo1 Photo2 Photo3 Photo4 Photo5 Photo6 Photo7 Photo8 Photo9
