Zeh Zecaflex

The Zeca-Flex is a 6×6cm folding TLR made in Germany by Zeh in 1937. It is extremely unusual in that it combines both the body of a folding camera with a twin-lens reflex viewing system fitted to one end of the body. This camera along with the Welta Superfekta and Perfekta are likely the only folding TLR cameras ever made. The Welta cameras are more similar to a standard TLR camera in that the viewing and taking lenses are mounted to the same board. The Zeca-Flex has a complex focusing system in which the taking lens is fitted to a moving board while the viewing lens is fitted to the reflex housing. The viewing lens has a shorter focal length than the taking lens, allowing for a smaller reflex housing and less distance between the axes of the taking and viewing lenses, thus reducing parallax error. However, this difference in focal lengths adds to the complexity of the focusing system, in which each lens moves independently in degrees proportional to their respective focal lengths. Folding TLRs were more complex, and not much smaller than non-folding TLRs - and were not popular. Consequently, these cameras were only on the market for a very short period of time, and are today quite rare. It is in near mint original condition. An absolute camera classic for 120 film. It comes with its case and strap. The lens is a Schneider Xenar 4.5/7.5cm no.1096711 in Compur shutter. All metal parts are in black paint or nickel finish which makes it very attractive.