The Olympus Flex series is a family of medium format cameras. They were produced in the 1950s by Olympus in Japan. All models are twin-lens reflex cameras and are very similar in functionality.
If you have a working specimen, you can still use it today. The appropriate medium format films (eBay / Amazon*) are still produced today.
| Feature | Olympus Flex A 2.8 | Olympus Flex A 3.5 II | Olympus Flex A 3.5 | Olympus Flex B II | Olympus Flex B I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | twin-lens reflex camera | twin-lens reflex camera | twin-lens reflex camera | twin-lens reflex camera | twin-lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 120 / Medium Format | 120 / Medium Format | 120 / Medium Format | 120 / Medium Format | 120 / Medium Format |
| Digital Sensor | No | No | No | No | No |
| Film Transport | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Picture Format | 60 mm x 60 mm | 60 mm x 60 mm | 60 mm x 60 mm | 60 mm x 60 mm | 60 mm x 60 mm |
| Lens type | Fixed lens | Fixed lens | Fixed lens | Fixed lens | Fixed lens |
| Focal Length | 75 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Shutter Speeds | 1/400 to 1 second | 1/500 to 1 second | 1/500 to 1 second | 1/400 to 1 second | 1/400 to 1 second |
| Light Meter | No | No | No | No | No |
| Flash | PC-Flash | PC-Flash | PC-Flash | PC-Flash | PC-Flash |
| Focus | manual | manual | manual | manual | manual |
| Release Date | 1955 | 1956 | 1954 | 1953 | 1952 |
| Production start | 1955 | 1956 | 1954 | 1953 | 1952 |
| Production End | — | — | 1956 | 1955 | 1953 |
| Manufacturer | Olympus | Olympus | Olympus | Olympus | Olympus |
| Country of Origin | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan | Japan |
| Age | Up to 71 years | Up to 70 years | Up to 72 years | Up to 73 years | Up to 74 years |
| Bulb Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Production duration | — | — | 2 years | 2 years | — |