Microflex

Microflex is a twin lens reflex (TLR) camera manufactured by MPP (Micro Precision Products Ltd.) in England. MPP is a manufacturer which used to produce large format cameras and other photo-related equipments such as slide projectors. Microflex, which was intended to be an Englich version of Rolleiflex and introduced in 1958, is an example of English masterpieces in the post WWII era in which camera industry in England was declining.

Microflex is considered as a higher version of its predecessor, Microcord (introduced in 1951). As Microcord was based on Rolleicord, Microflex was made comparable to Rolleiflex. The knobs, crank lever, shutter button, etc. are all positioned in the same places as for Rolleiflex, especially like 3.5E, so operation is also almost the same. The "light value" system is adopted to detemine exposure; if you change the shutter speed, the aperture level is automatically adjusted so that the exposure value (EV) remains constant. The difference from Rolleiflex is the way to load film; Microflex adopts the "start mark" or semi-automat system, in which when you set the film you align the start mark on the film with a dot on the film guiding rail of the camera and then the camera automatically winds the film up to the first frame, while Rolleiflex has the fully automat system, in which you just load and wind up the film and the camera automatically detects the first frame. Genuine M.P.P. lens hoods and filters used to be provided but are now hard to find. However, Microflex accepts hoods and filters for the Rollei Bayonet 1 (R-I) mount, which can easily be found in the used market, so there will be no problem. The almost only weakness is the very dark finder screen, which makes it hard to focus.

The taking lens is M.P.P. Micronar 77.5mm F3.5, which was produced by the well-known lens manufacturer, Taylor Taylor & Hobson in England (but the original blueprint was provided by M.P.P.). The lens has 4 elements in 3 groups, which is of the Tessar type like many other TLRs, but you can't find the focal length of 77.5mm anywhere else (since there is usually a little error between the nominal and actual focal lengths, I guess this 77.5mm could have been labeled as either 75mm or 80mm. By showing one decimal digit does it mean such error for this lens is in the order of 1/10mm?). Although very small, you can see "ENGLAND" engraved along with the lens name on the front rim of the lens.

My first impression of the Micronar lens is that it is very sharp and clear. Its color reproduction is pretty neutral and faithful to the original, neither too vidid nor too discoloring. Bokeh is also good, and I felt no movement of the focal point as is often the case with Tessar type lenses (I confess, this is my first experience with a Tessar type lens). Micronar may be a little rougher than Rolleiflex Planar in terms of perspective and texture reproduction, but it is definitely a high quality lens.

The "MICROFLEX ENGLAND" logo on the top of the front panel is inscribed in a roundish font and looks pretty, but the camera's black-painted face gives a somewhat dignified look as a whole. Make of each part is firm without unnecessary play. When you examine the camera carefully, small pieces of red glass are put in the center of aperture and shutter speed dials, and green glass in the tip of self timer operation lever. These are nice little considerations for design.

The genuine lens shade has the M.P.P. logo in a frame which imitates a shape of triplet-type lens. It is not inscribed on the shade but printed on a thin metal plate stuck on the shade. It stands out pretty much. Its size and shape are the same as those of Rolleiflex Bay 1 shades, which of course can be attached to Microflex (but the Rollei logo on the top comes to the bottom because the bayonet of Microflex is rotated by 180 degrees for no clear reason).

M.P.P. developed Microflex, trying to make a camera that was comparable to Rolleiflex. About the same time when Microflex was released, unfortunately, reputable German cameras stormed the England market because of the removal of import barriers by the government. As a result, Microflexes were dumped at surprisingly low prices. This commercial failure made Microflex the last TLR camera that M.P.P. made. Also, according to a repairer who overhauled my Microflex, it has a mechanism different from German and Japanese TLRs, and the quality of internal parts is not as good as that for Rollei and Yashica. So, it is hard to adjust, and you can't expect nice feeling of operation like with Rolleiflex even if it is best lubed and adjusted. Here you see another reason why Microflex was not successful. It is really a pity, because the taking lens is fabulous.

Microflex
Viewing Lens: M.P.P. 3.2/77.5
Taking Lens: M.P.P. Micronar 3.5/77.5
Shutter: Prontor S.V.S. B, 1 - 1/300

References

1. MPP USERS' CLUB
2. Skinner, Basil. Micro Precision Products: The MPP Story and the Products. Newquay, Cornwall, UK: MPP Publications, 2004. (pp. 53-56) ISBN 0-9546070-1-5