Picked one up today with the lens, case, and strap, in mint condition for $10. No idea what it's worth, but I think it looks really cool. Construction seems like insane value for what I paid!
Hi, I think you got a real bargain with this camera, providing it works, they were a top quality brand in their day, used by the Japanese Police and the US Navy, excellent glass, shutter priority, uses the UV lens mount and not much choice in lenses, owned several copies, lovely cameras, is you black or chrome version?
@@thephotographersbag Hi! Yes, I don't have the correct batteries for the lightmeter, though, so that's not tested, but mecanically it's in full working order. I didn't expect to find it, and was quite pleased when I did.
Thank you, I will! I often just do the settings based om judging the light conditions by experience, if not I can bring an external meter, so it's not really a problem.
Great video, great UV-mount system collection. Like! I bought the UV 35/3.5 at Hong Kong, just ~USD $35. But I don't know that UV-mount is uncommon, and hard to find modern adapters (e.g. UV-to-M43, UV-to-EF) when I purchase this lens. After watching several reviews of Unirex. I decided a buy one from eBay (......and also bought a PX625A replacement battery, which is 1.35V). This "In-camera Leaf Shutter" design is very unique (!). I'm glad to tryout this special 1960-1970's SLR.
Sir, if you could be so kind, my Topcon Unirex has a stuck film advance lever. I am very mechanical and have the bottom plate off. I can move a certain lever that allows me to move the lever fully in the correct way and with the timer working and all I still have no shutter action. I really like this old camera and I was hoping for some type of "lever movement" or something simple could get it working. Could you help please and,...thank you in advance if so.
Hi, sorry to hear that you are having problems, I have had several United cameras but they all worked therefore I have no experience of repairing them, they are more complicated than most slrs, it sounds like the shutter is seized, a bit of cleaning might free it up, seems like you can advance the film? Could be the shutter is not being cocked, keep investigating and maybe a subscriber may know more.....
Hi, not sure on that, what makes you think so, do you have a Mamiya version?, Nothing is impossible, there was a lot of subbed out manufacturing amounst Japanese camera companies, interesting.....
I had 2 Topcon UNIs and while putting the shutter speed in bulb, The leaf shutter stayed wide open regardless of the aperture setting on the barrel. I was hesitant to run a roll of film through it and was wondering if it is the same for your camera too?
I missed what you said about the PX625 battery. What were you using as a replacement? If I use a 1.5V battery can I correct for any under exposure with the film speed setting?
Hi, yup that's a good workaround, or use the zinc air hearing aid batteries, nice cameras though a bit limited in lens choice, using the UV mount, great for flash sync though...
Hello, I was wondering if you would know what rewind krank/knob would work with this camera and how to change it (my topcoat misses it). Thanks for your time.
@@thephotographersbag Thank you for the answer. It is only the top part, the knob, which is missing. And I bought the camera today on ebay, so I don't have a way to test it.
@@vulgarpestilence ok, that makes it a bit easier, I will get mine out and see what can be done and try and find a part from another camera that will fit, will come back to you if that's ok?
@@thephotographersbag That is more than OK. I found a good offer for a Minolta SRT 101/303/102/100 knob, which seems to have the same thread that the Topcon has. So if you could test that it would be nice. Thank you for your help.
@@vulgarpestilence wow, you are good at this! Although the threads are not exactly the same, the Minolta part will fit and work, at least you will be able to test the Tip on out, keep us posted on how you get on....
Hi I have the same camera from my dad but in grey/black it's been over 10years I have played around with it like a kid, looking trough the view finder and took pictures with my phone trough it, cleaned it and all. I got my hands on some films to take picture but I never knew if it needed a battery replacement and I couldn't manage to find a replacement one since the one inside is a mercury one. I don't even know if it needs a battery ? The 2 films i bought expired in 2020 and I also found 2 in my dads stuff, they expired in 2006 but I heard it can make nice effects on pictures. If I could get some answers and some help it'll be so nice, I've been waiting for so long to use it. Little story of mine: Recently my dumb little brother and my cousin took the camera and loaded it with not the 24exp agfa 200iso expired in 04/2020 which is the less expensive one but no of course he took the more expensive 36exp Kodak ColorPlus 200iso expired in 09/2020 just to take 5 pictures ... the camera wasn't even on the right settings and he took the pictures inside... I was literally dead inside when he told me.. so yeah now i've got a film loaded in it with who knows if he really took 5 or 15 pictures, even if it is loaded correctly. I'm literally stuck so I think It's the right time to search for help and answers to finally use it myself.
Hi, it only needs a battery to power the meter and the auto mode, the shutter is entirely mechanical, and the aperture can be set manually if no battery is fitted The frame counter will tell you how many exposures have been taken Please feel free to come back to me if you have any issues or questions
Hello, i plan on picking one up but i need to know if its battery dependant? Ive looked for info on this camera but i cant find any regarding if its mechanical or battery powered. Thank you.
Hi, the camera is mechanical, it does take the now unavailable mercury cells to power the internal exposure meter and the shutter priority auto mode If you use an external light meter, such as an app on your smartphone then no batteries in the camera are required, though you will have to set both the shutter speed and aperture manually.....
@@thephotographersbag Thats good to know, sadly I lost the bid but next time when I come across another one I’ll lock it in. I just gotta own the unique leaf shutter SLR’s, such awesome sound and design of a camera. I did get to pick up a simple Ricoh KR-5 super II, so its not an entire loss.
Hi very nice video ! I've problem with my unirex, can you please send me or upload a video with opening this caméra to fix it (at least the top with the Roll rewinder) 'm french and I really don't know the camera vocabulary (even in french it can be difficult^^) so a vidéo will be more explicit for me. Thanks 😊
What is the problem with your Unirex, and what makes you believe removing the top cover will helo Quel est le problème avec votre Unirex, et qu'est-ce qui vous fait croire que retirer le capot supérieur vous aidera?
@@thephotographersbag (I translated it with Reverso) The Photographer’s Bag When I arm the camera it comes back to the trigger button instead of stopping before. The trigger no longer works, the shutter does not move. And the film lock button has remained depressed. Lorsque j'arme l'appareil il se reviens jusqu'au bouton du déclencheur au lieu de s'arrêter avant. Le déclenchement ne fonctionne plus, l'obturateur ne bouge plus. Et le bouton de blocage du film est resté enfoncé.
@@Jojo972reprezent I am having the same problem in preparation for making the video, it won't move, usually a lens rubber ,sticky tape or large rubber ball will move them, so like you I am stumped Will keep on working at it, sorry Jonathan Lawrence Ericher J'ai le même problème en préparation de la réalisation de la vidéo. Elle ne bouge pas. Généralement, une lentille en caoutchouc, un ruban adhésif ou une grosse balle en caoutchouc les déplacera. Par conséquent, comme vous, je suis perplexe. Continuera à y travailler, désolé
Picked one up today with the lens, case, and strap, in mint condition for $10. No idea what it's worth, but I think it looks really cool. Construction seems like insane value for what I paid!
Hi, I think you got a real bargain with this camera, providing it works, they were a top quality brand in their day, used by the Japanese Police and the US Navy, excellent glass, shutter priority, uses the UV lens mount and not much choice in lenses, owned several copies, lovely cameras, is you black or chrome version?
My mother bought me that camera circa 1973. My cousin had recommended it. I had great fun with it.
Lucky you, they are great cameras with fantastic lenses, do you still have it?
@@thephotographersbag No, :( I gave it to my brother-in-law in the early 80's.
Thanks for the review, ive often wondered about these topcon cameras
Very nice video, thank you!
I picked up one today, exactly like yours. A black Unirex with UV Topcor 50mm 2.0. Most people don't know what this is.
Hi, agree they are not that common, bit of a hidden gem, is it fully working?
@@thephotographersbag Hi! Yes, I don't have the correct batteries for the lightmeter, though, so that's not tested, but mecanically it's in full working order. I didn't expect to find it, and was quite pleased when I did.
@@Analogbrain Hi, I use Wein cells to power mine, but it works fine without batteries using a separate meter, hope you enjoy using it .
Thank you, I will! I often just do the settings based om judging the light conditions by experience, if not I can bring an external meter, so it's not really a problem.
Just picked one up today, great video!
Thanks for your kind words, enjoy...
Great video, great UV-mount system collection. Like!
I bought the UV 35/3.5 at Hong Kong, just ~USD $35. But I don't know that UV-mount is uncommon, and hard to find modern adapters (e.g. UV-to-M43, UV-to-EF) when I purchase this lens.
After watching several reviews of Unirex. I decided a buy one from eBay (......and also bought a PX625A replacement battery, which is 1.35V). This "In-camera Leaf Shutter" design is very unique (!). I'm glad to tryout this special 1960-1970's SLR.
Hi, really top quality system, to different for most people 🙂
I really love your videos!
Thanks for your kind words, plenty more to come....
Sir, if you could be so kind, my Topcon Unirex has a stuck film advance lever. I am very mechanical and have the bottom plate off. I can move a certain lever that allows me to move the lever fully in the correct way and with the timer working and all I still have no shutter action. I really like this old camera and I was hoping for some type of "lever movement" or something simple could get it working. Could you help please and,...thank you in advance if so.
Hi, sorry to hear that you are having problems, I have had several United cameras but they all worked therefore I have no experience of repairing them, they are more complicated than most slrs, it sounds like the shutter is seized, a bit of cleaning might free it up, seems like you can advance the film? Could be the shutter is not being cocked, keep investigating and maybe a subscriber may know more.....
Did Mamiya also market this under their name?
Hi, not sure on that, what makes you think so, do you have a Mamiya version?, Nothing is impossible, there was a lot of subbed out manufacturing amounst Japanese camera companies, interesting.....
I had 2 Topcon UNIs and while putting the shutter speed in bulb, The leaf shutter stayed wide open regardless of the aperture setting on the barrel. I was hesitant to run a roll of film through it and was wondering if it is the same for your camera too?
Hi, I will have to check that and get back to you, it's been a while since I used my Unirex...
@@thephotographersbag thank you!
I missed what you said about the PX625 battery. What were you using as a replacement? If I use a 1.5V battery can I correct for any under exposure with the film speed setting?
Hi, yup that's a good workaround, or use the zinc air hearing aid batteries, nice cameras though a bit limited in lens choice, using the UV mount, great for flash sync though...
Hello, I was wondering if you would know what rewind krank/knob would work with this camera and how to change it (my topcoat misses it). Thanks for your time.
Hi, is it just the top part that you turn to rewind the film that is missing? Or is the whole assembly missing with a whole left in the top cover?
@@thephotographersbag Thank you for the answer. It is only the top part, the knob, which is missing. And I bought the camera today on ebay, so I don't have a way to test it.
@@vulgarpestilence ok, that makes it a bit easier, I will get mine out and see what can be done and try and find a part from another camera that will fit, will come back to you if that's ok?
@@thephotographersbag That is more than OK. I found a good offer for a Minolta SRT 101/303/102/100 knob, which seems to have the same thread that the Topcon has. So if you could test that it would be nice. Thank you for your help.
@@vulgarpestilence wow, you are good at this! Although the threads are not exactly the same, the Minolta part will fit and work, at least you will be able to test the Tip on out, keep us posted on how you get on....
I have a selection of Topcor lenses , produce lovely images on digital mirrorless cameras .
Hi I have the same camera from my dad but in grey/black it's been over 10years I have played around with it like a kid, looking trough the view finder and took pictures with my phone trough it, cleaned it and all.
I got my hands on some films to take picture but I never knew if it needed a battery replacement and I couldn't manage to find a replacement one since the one inside is a mercury one.
I don't even know if it needs a battery ?
The 2 films i bought expired in 2020 and I also found 2 in my dads stuff, they expired in 2006 but I heard it can make nice effects on pictures.
If I could get some answers and some help it'll be so nice, I've been waiting for so long to use it.
Little story of mine:
Recently my dumb little brother and my cousin took the camera and loaded it with not the 24exp agfa 200iso expired in 04/2020 which is the less expensive one but no of course he took the more expensive 36exp Kodak ColorPlus 200iso expired in 09/2020 just to take 5 pictures ... the camera wasn't even on the right settings and he took the pictures inside... I was literally dead inside when he told me..
so yeah now i've got a film loaded in it with who knows if he really took 5 or 15 pictures, even if it is loaded correctly.
I'm literally stuck so I think It's the right time to search for help and answers to finally use it myself.
Hi, it only needs a battery to power the meter and the auto mode, the shutter is entirely mechanical, and the aperture can be set manually if no battery is fitted
The frame counter will tell you how many exposures have been taken
Please feel free to come back to me if you have any issues or questions
Hello, i plan on picking one up but i need to know if its battery dependant? Ive looked for info on this camera but i cant find any regarding if its mechanical or battery powered. Thank you.
Hi, the camera is mechanical, it does take the now unavailable mercury cells to power the internal exposure meter and the shutter priority auto mode
If you use an external light meter, such as an app on your smartphone then no batteries in the camera are required, though you will have to set both the shutter speed and aperture manually.....
@@thephotographersbag Thats good to know, sadly I lost the bid but next time when I come across another one I’ll lock it in. I just gotta own the unique leaf shutter SLR’s, such awesome sound and design of a camera. I did get to pick up a simple Ricoh KR-5 super II, so its not an entire loss.
Hi, yup the Unirex is a desirable camera, very popular with collectors, good luck with your hunt, sounds like you like collecting cameras too....
@@analogadam795 I have one for sell if you were never able to get one!
Hi very nice video ! I've problem with my unirex, can you please send me or upload a video with opening this caméra to fix it (at least the top with the Roll rewinder) 'm french and I really don't know the camera vocabulary (even in french it can be difficult^^) so a vidéo will be more explicit for me. Thanks 😊
What is the problem with your Unirex, and what makes you believe removing the top cover will helo
Quel est le problème avec votre Unirex, et qu'est-ce qui vous fait croire que retirer le capot supérieur vous aidera?
@@thephotographersbag
(I translated it with Reverso)
The Photographer’s Bag When I arm the camera it comes back to the trigger button instead of stopping before. The trigger no longer works, the shutter does not move. And the film lock button has remained depressed.
Lorsque j'arme l'appareil il se reviens jusqu'au bouton du déclencheur au lieu de s'arrêter avant. Le déclenchement ne fonctionne plus, l'obturateur ne bouge plus. Et le bouton de blocage du film est resté enfoncé.
@@thephotographersbag I cannot remove the small cover above the arm to arm the device. The one that hides the screw
@@Jojo972reprezent I am having the same problem in preparation for making the video, it won't move, usually a lens rubber ,sticky tape or large rubber ball will move them, so like you I am stumped
Will keep on working at it, sorry
Jonathan Lawrence Ericher J'ai le même problème en préparation de la réalisation de la vidéo. Elle ne bouge pas. Généralement, une lentille en caoutchouc, un ruban adhésif ou une grosse balle en caoutchouc les déplacera. Par conséquent, comme vous, je suis perplexe. Continuera à y travailler, désolé
I have one of these and it's a piece of garbage....not even a decent paper weight.
COME ON GET THE ZIPPO LIGHTER FLUID OUT AND CLEAN THE LEAFS