Formosa Plastics Corporation Optiflex NF-1 |
Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in Taïwan from (Circa) 1985 to (Circa) 1985.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 13654
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Formosa Plastics Corporation
The cameras manufactured by Formosa Plastics Corporation are recognizable by the adhesive label marked "FPC Quality Passed." The problem is that this label easily peels off. The markings on the lens cannot help with identification because the same ones are found on cameras manufactured by Ouyama, suggesting that the lens is a common subcontract among several manufacturers in Taiwan. These markings are fanciful, using a fictitious serial number. They sometimes suggest functions that do not exist. For example, "Auto Fix focus" simply means there is no focus adjustment; it is a fixed focus. The word "Auto" is there to deceive.
One can attempt to determine main types among this production. It is noticed that the differences between two types are sometimes minimal. Dating is very difficult, although there is an evolution in shapes to follow the design of major brands.
To add to the confusion, the cameras bear various commercial trademarks, which are mostly hollow shells. The same model name can be used for different devices (e.g., Licom MXF-700). Some models bear well-known brands because they have been used for advertising purposes (e.g., Time). Other names, such as Nikanon, are only there for their resemblance to major brands like Nikon and Canon.
Markings on lens | # on lens | |||
Like a Haking camera Oval window above the lens, serving no purpose |
Kinon SL-III |
Color Optical Glass Lens F 6 50 mm |
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Opaque window in line with the lens (non-functional) Film advance lever |
Super II | Optical Color Lens Auto Fix Focus 50 mm Lens 1:6 |
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Off-center viewfinder Prominence of the bulge towards the front |
Luminox 356 SL |
Optical Glass Lens 1:6 f=50mm series 432462 |
432462 | |
Premier PC-90 |
Optical Glass Lens series 198523 |
198523 | ||
Off-center viewfinder Opaque window in line with the lens (non-functional) Film advance lever |
Nishiki Super II |
Nishiki Optical Glass Lens Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6 |
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Off-center viewfinder Opaque window in line with the lens (non-functional) Frame counter on the top cover |
Optiflex NF-1 |
Optiflex Color Optical Glass Lens 1:6 f=50mm series 746277 |
746277 | |
Off-center viewfinder Opaque window aligned with the lens (non-functional) |
Optiflex NF-1 |
Optiflex Color Optical Glass Lens 1:6 f=50mm series 746277 |
746277 | |
Film advance lever Wide and low shoe base |
Kinon SL-IV |
Color Optical Glass Lens F 6 50 mm |
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Off-center viewfinder. Covered window under the bulge. The shutter release button is on a small platform. |
BW-7000 | Optical Color Lens Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6 |
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UCC UC300 | ||||
SLR-like form. Side viewfinder. Bulge for better grip. |
GMTEX GT-304 | New Optical Lens 1:5.6 f 50 mm Series |
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Comax LT-002 | Comax Optical Lens 1:6 f 50 mm Series |
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SLR-like shape. Side viewfinder. Bulge for better grip. Advance lever. |
Comax GT-306 | Comax Optical Lens 1:6 f 50 mm Series |
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SLR-like shape. Side-mounted viewfinder. Bulge for improved grip. |
Meikai 4353 SSN | New Optical Lens 1:5,6 f=50 mm Series 626326 |
626326 | |
ESC | ||||
SLR-like shape. Viewfinder aligned with the lens. |
ESC | New Optical Lens 1:5,6 F = 50 mm Series |
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Roniflex X3000 | ||||
GM Tex GT-304 | ||||
Off-center viewfinder. Window obscured beneath the bulge. |
(Time) | Kinetic Optical Color Lens Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6 |
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Nikanon RX-7 |
Nikanon Color Optical Glass Lens 1:6 f=50mm series 746277 |
746277 | ||
FC-100 (Time) | Color Optical Lens 1:6 f=50mm series 746277 |
746277 | ||
Finger rest at each end. Off-center viewfinder. Window obscured beneath the bulge. |
Licom MXF-700 |
Optical Glass Lens Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6 |
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Reflex-like appearance. Viewfinder within the faux prism bulge. |
Oppex 2 7090 | New Color Optical Lens f=50mm 1:6 |
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Oppex 7090 | ||||
Reflex-like appearance. Viewfinder within the faux prism bulge. Advance lever. |
Licom MXF-700 |
Optical Glass Lens Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6 |
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Reflex-like appearance. Viewfinder within the faux prism bulge. |
Alto | Optical Color Lens Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6 |
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Deluxe-III | ||||
SLR-like shape. Two viewfinder windows aligned with the lens. |
Leo.35 | Leo. 35 Optical Color Lens Auto Fix Focus 50 mm Lens 1:6 |
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Reflex-like appearance. Finger rest at one end. Off-center viewfinder. Window obscured beneath the bulge. |
Eureka 2436 | New Color Optical Lens 1:6 f=50mm series 347859 |
347859 | |
Weyburn F6 | ||||
Reflex-like appearance. Off-center viewfinder. Finger rest on the right-hand side. |
Yashiwa XR90 |
New Color Optical Lens 1:6,3 f=50mm series 624181 |
624181 |
__________
We know that this is a later version of the Optiflex NF-1, not only from the label attached to it “Quality Passed YN85” (as used by Yunon), but also from the evolutionary changes; the shorter shutter release, the automatic frame counter under the top plate, the low profile patterning of the case, and the more conventional film rewind button located on the base.
Unusually in 1985, it still hasn’t acquired the finger grip, and it still has the “Color Optical Glass Lens” (not plastic). The lens number 746277 is associated with a number of Yunon cameras, and this one came with a chevron patterned lens cap like the ones sometimes found with older Yunon, Penmax, and Yumeka cameras. Were Penmax, Yumeka and Optiflex secondary brands of Yunon? We don’t know.
The camera came with an invitation to purchase an Optiflex N-tripod for $25, and an Optiflex N-14 electronic flash unit for $20. The camera would have sold for a similar amount.
It was sold in a plain silver-grey box with black lettering like many other FPC cameras. The (fictional?) company name on it is “Associated Optical Technics Los Angeles, United Kingdom, West Germany, Japan”. The only agency address given is 3414 La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles. The manual is written in English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese (but not Japanese).
So far, no camera with exactly the same features has been seen under any other name.
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