Wrayflex Ia 35mm British SLR Camera 1950s Rare Reflex Design Collectible - 2590

The Wrayflex Ia is a rare British-made 35mm SLR camera from the early 1950s, featuring a unique mirror-based reflex system and 24×36mm format. It’s a prized collector’s item with distinctive engineering and historical significance.

Description:
The Wrayflex Ia is a historically significant 35mm single-lens reflex camera produced by Wray Optical Works Ltd. in Bromley, England between 1953 and 1958. Unlike conventional SLRs, it uses a dual-mirror system instead of a pentaprism to reflect the image into the viewfinder, resulting in a laterally reversed image. This model offers the standard 24×36mm frame size and accepts screw-mount lenses. With its compact form and mechanical precision, the Wrayflex Ia is a unique piece of British photographic engineering.

Condition:
Overall Condition: Very Good
Light cosmetic wear consistent with age. Shutter fires across all speeds. Reflex system functional. Film transport smooth. Viewfinder clear with central magnifier.

Included:

• Wrayflex Ia camera body
  
• Original leatherette case
• Wrayflex book

Collectors Notes:
The Wrayflex series represents the only British-made 35mm SLR cameras, with the Ia being the second model. It improved upon the original Wrayflex I by adopting the standard 24×36mm frame size. The camera’s distinctive mirror reflex system and low-profile design set it apart from contemporaries. With fewer than 2,000 units believed to have been produced, the Wrayflex Ia is highly sought after by collectors of British photographic history and rare mechanical designs.

Key Features:

• 35mm film format (24×36mm frame size)
• Dual-mirror reflex viewing system
• Ground glass focusing screen with central magnifier
• Focal plane shutter (1/2 to 1/1000 sec + B)
• Screw-mount lens system
• Manual film advance with auto-stop
• Flash synchronisation for bulbs
• Made in Bromley, England (1953–1958)

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