Wirgin Edixaflex

Introduced in 1958, this 35mm slr is a modular camera, capable of accepting different viewfinders, focusing screens and lenses. It has an M42 lens mount, meaning there is a huge number of lenses that can be paired with this camera. The one that came with this camera is a 50mm f/2.8 Steinheil Cassar S that takes 40.5mm screw on filters.

As the viewfinder is interchangeable it can be fitted with an eye-level or waist-lever viewfinder. The waist-level finder has a hood with a magnifier for critical focus. Removing the viewfinder allows you to access the focusing screen should you want to change it. A number of different types were available for this camera. Ours is a split image focusing screen. 

The camera's shutter has speeds ranging from 1/25 to 1/1000, and there is also a bulb mode. It is also synchronised for flash with X (electronic) and M (flash bulb) settings. After firing the shutter the mirror stays up until you wind on to the next frame. There is a double exposure prevention lock, but it is still possible to make double exposures if desired. To do this you have to cock the shutter without moving the film transport leaver, and to do that you wind the shutter speed knob clockwise until it stops. You can then press the shutter release button again to make the second exposure. You can repeat this as many times as desired.

The instruction manual for this camera recommends using the waist-level finder for candid shots. Specifically it states that it is an effective way of taking photos "round the corner":

This is excellent for candid shots, especially since your subject, deceived by your not looking in his direction, often provides you with the most lively and unposed pictures.

It also suggests using the waist-level finder when you want to take a photo over a crowd or obstacle, because you can hold the camera above your head and peer into the ground glass screen.

The eye-level viewfinder is recommended for rapid sequence action shots and sports pictures.

Similarly to the Zenit E, our other slr with an M42 lens mount, there is no aperture control on the Edixaflex, so you need to manually stop down the lens after focusing.

A lovely and very capable camera.

We have since acquired some extension tubes for this camera to allow it to do close-up shots. No. 1 is 2mm long, No. 2 is 6mm, No. 3 is 13.5mm, and No. 4 is 29.5mm. They can be combined or used individually. The Edixa Reflex Guide: How to get the best out of your Edixa Reflex and Edixaflex published by Focal Press and written by W. D. Emanuel explains the scale of reproduction on film in relation to the natural size of the object, and the resulting exposure factor - i.e. how much the exposure time has to be increased. It also highlights how depth of field when working at close range is very small, so it is advisable to use small apertures.