The Universa Interflex TL is a SLR camera. It was developed by Cosina and in the 1960s by the Japanese company. Cosina’s name for this model is “Cosina Hi-Lite”. Universa Fototechnik GmbH was a sales company for photo products. Between 1964 and 1994 they offered various products from different manufacturers to customers in Western Germany and Europe.
The lenses of the Universa Interflex TL can be exchanged. Lenses with a M42 lens mount can be used. There are many interchangeable lenses available for the M42 mount. The first M42 lens was developed by Zeiss. The major producers of M42 lenses were Pentax, Zeiss, Pentacon and KMZ. The Universa Interflex TL does not have an autofocus system. The lens is focused manually.
For photographing, the Universa Interflex TL an exposure meter. It was designed for work with films with a ISO of 25 to 1600. The precise exposure is measured trough the lens (TTL) of the 35mm SLR. The aperture and shutter speed can be individually configured.
If you want to take long time pictures, there is the bulb-setting. In this mode, the film is exposed as long as the shutter release button is pressed. The use of an external flash unit is possible via the PC flash socket.
Films for the Universa Interflex TL
The Universa Interflex TL uses 35mm film. 35mm films are still offered by various manufacturers. For black-and-white shots, you can go to with the AgfaPhoto APX 100*. For color images, the Fujifilm Superia 200* is a possibility.
The Universa Interflex TL has a thread for a tripod and cable release. It also has a self-timer. The needed energy for the camera is provided by a SP 675 mercury battery.
The Universa Interflex TL is nowadays only available trough the used market. The value of a used copy is primarily determined by the condition and functionality.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | M42 lens mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/1000 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 1x SP675 battery |
| Estimated value / Used price | 106,66 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 3 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 25,82 Euro (27.06 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 110,63 Euro (119.06 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Universa Interflex TL
Is the Universa Interflex TL a manual focus camera?
Yes, the Universa Interflex TL uses manual focus. You adjust the focus on the lens itself, there's no autofocus feature.
What type of lenses can I use with this old camera?
It uses M42 lenses, which are quite common and widely available. Many manufacturers produced lenses with this mount, offering a good variety.
What kind of film does the camera use?
It takes standard 35mm film rolls. You can use both color and black and white film.
How does the light meter work on this SLR camera?
The Interflex TL has a built-in light meter using Through-the-Lens (TTL) metering, helping you determine correct exposure settings for your shots.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, it has a PC flash sync terminal that allows the use of an external flash unit. This is important for low-light situations.