Pentaflex 8

[Sparky]

Have any of you lot ever come accross a pentaflex 8 before?
Just purchased one and am real excited to get my mits on it!
I think its the only sub-16mm camera with a revolving mirror reflex viewfinder system, though correct me if I'm wrong- and its regular8 magazine loading!
Its supposed to have had an unparalleled viewfinder (there had to be a reason ;-) )
Had a set of 4 Zeiss primes and a zoom with a PL style breech bayonet mount
Weighs in at a hefty 2Kg though
Anyway, theres a German manual on the uploads ftp page so I guess someone has one or has knowledge of them. I'd love an English version if anyone has one? And if anyone has spare lenses/magazines drop me a line- mines coming with a 12.5mm f2 standard.

Mark

[reedsturtevant]

I think its the only sub-16mm camera with a revolving mirror reflex viewfinder system, though correct me if I'm wrong

Along with the Beaulieu 4008 (etc) and Fuji ZC1000, right?

[Sparky]

I said revolving ;-) I don't know what system the ZC1000 uses, but don't all the other mirror reflex cameras use the guilotine system? Would be interested to find out more though.

Mark

[reedsturtevant]

I said revolving ;-)

:idea: my bad :?

[Sparky]

OK, not a lot of takers first time round, but now it arrived and I have a few pics to show!

Sorry for the bump but I am really excited about this find and hope a few might like to know more. Here is the beast, dwarfing another favourite- the Leicina 8S:




Its a monster! And very ugly- reminds me a little of a 1950's caravan- ;-)

I think I may have answered my own question I posted here:

viewtopic.php?t=7220&highlight=viewfinder

Heres the Pentaflex VF:



and to compare using the exact same camera settings, the VF of the Leicina 8S which I consider excellent for a R8 camera:



Quite a great VF- its so bright and big because of the mirror- I have yet to get a Camex (but its probably the only other R8 camera I'll try) but I have a beaulieu 2008 which I guess has a similar VF to the MR8, and there is simply no comparison. This thing is really sharp and easy to focus.

Heres an attempt to show the mirror:



Its just like a miniature version of an Arri or Mitchell!

And here the beautiful military spec cartridge:



and not forgeting the Zeiss Pentovar lens:





note the cut-off angle on the rear element to clear the mirror!

There are a few more pics starting here http://www.filmshooting.com/scripts/gal ... as?page=14
and I will scan the English manual that came with it to the ftp site.

Mark

[super8man]

That camera is a very worthy collectible..now tell me, can you load regular 8 film in it or is it some wierd variant? Looks normal but what a monster cartridge...if you see another, let me know, I would like it for my website.

keep me posted - I like this post very much.

mike

[Sparky]

OK, just spent my breakfast sacnning in the manual (all 48 pages of it!!)

You can find it here:

ftp://ftp.filmshooting.com/upload/manuals/Pentaflex 8 Manual English.zip

Sorry its rather large at 15MB- I might try to condense it into a pdf later.

Check it out for such gems as the Pentaflex Compendium:





Oh, yes its standard regular8 (!?!) loading on standard spools- the idea being that you only have to load the film once- and flip the cart over at the end of the first side- a great timesaving for your regular8 feature or studio shoot

Mark

[VideoFred]

Its a monster! And very ugly- reminds me a little of a 1950's caravan- ;-)

:roll: Its a fifties monster! :roll:

But what a fine example of good craftmanship in those days! Thank you very much for sharing this with us. Do you have any plans to actualy shoot something with this awesome monster?

Fred.

[trepang]

I have Pentaflex 8 camera and use it with Fomapan R D8 film.
I think it is a very good camera and has very good lens. I use it very often with Flektogon 2/5,5 mm.

[Sparky]

super8man wrote:

...if you see another, let me know, I would like it for my website.

will do- actually I have a second one on its way from Poland with the 12.5mm lens. Its supposed to be in excellent condition unlike this one that looks like a child borrowed his dads monkey wrench to fix it Need to have a look inside anyway so its not so bad and it was cheap.

I guess they must be pretty plentiful in Poland but have yet to see one on Polish ebay. Perhaps you , Trepang, can become our dealer I would very much like one of those beautiful looking 5.5s for it!

And Fred- of course I will exercise the beast - its not just for playing with! I have a few rolls of K25 in the fridge and some of them definitely have its name on.

Mark

[erkanumut]

OK, just spent my breakfast sacnning in the manual (all 48 pages of it!!)

You can find it here:

ftp://ftp.filmshooting.com/upload/manuals/Pentaflex 8 Manual English.zip

Sorry its rather large at 15MB- I might try to condense it into a pdf later.

Check it out for such gems as the Pentaflex Compendium:





Oh, yes its standard regular8 (!?!) loading on standard spools- the idea being that you only have to load the film once- and flip the cart over at the end of the first side- a great timesaving for your regular8 feature or studio shoot

Mark

Thank you.
I cannot find that manual...
Any help will be highly appreciated!

[Nicholas Kovats]

Great find, Sparky.

However I cannot open any of your image links. And yes, I am signed in.

Regards,

NK

[quote="Sparky"]OK, not a lot of takers first time round, but now it arrived and I have a few pics to show!

Sorry for the bump but I am really excited about this find and hope a few might like to know more. Here is the beast, dwarfing another favourite- the Leicina 8S:




Its a monster! And very ugly- reminds me a little of a 1950's caravan- ;-)

I think I may have answered my own question I posted here:

viewtopic.php?t=7220&highlight=viewfinder

Heres the Pentaflex VF:



and to compare using the exact same camera settings, the VF of the Leicina 8S which I consider excellent for a R8 camera:



Quite a great VF- its so bright and big because of the mirror- I have yet to get a Camex (but its probably the only other R8 camera I'll try) but I have a beaulieu 2008 which I guess has a similar VF to the MR8, and there is simply no comparison. This thing is really sharp and easy to focus.

Heres an attempt to show the mirror: