Difference between revisions of "Kilfitt"
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[[Heinz Kilfitt]] (Heinrich Wilhelm Kilfitt; * 27th May 1898 in Bochum-Höntrop; † 8th Nov. 1980 in Munich) was a prolific designer of cameras (he designed the first [[Robot]] cameras in the 1930s<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p465.</ref>). His firm '''Heinz Kilfitt München''' is primarily known for its innovative series of macro, telephoto, and zoom lenses from the 1950s and 1960s. Kilfitt was contracted to manufacture the groundbreaking 1960 Zoomar 36-82mm lens for [[Voigtländer]]. Later, with the 1967 retirement of Heinz Kilfitt, Zoomar designer Dr. Frank G. Back acquired the Kilfitt company and continued its products from Zoomar's home in Long Island, New York. | [[Heinz Kilfitt]] (Heinrich Wilhelm Kilfitt; * 27th May 1898 in Bochum-Höntrop; † 8th Nov. 1980 in Munich) was a prolific designer of cameras (he designed the first [[Robot]] cameras in the 1930s<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p465.</ref>). His firm '''Heinz Kilfitt München''' is primarily known for its innovative series of macro, telephoto, and zoom lenses from the 1950s and 1960s. Kilfitt was contracted to manufacture the groundbreaking 1960 Zoomar 36-82mm lens for [[Voigtländer]]. Later, with the 1967 retirement of Heinz Kilfitt, Zoomar designer Dr. Frank G. Back acquired the Kilfitt company and continued its products from Zoomar's home in Long Island, New York. | ||
| − | Kilfitt also produced some cameras. McKeown lists the '''Kilfitt Motor Camera''', similar to the Robot, and states that, having sold his original design to Berning, Kilfitt was eventually stopped by them from making this.<ref name=McK></ref> | + | Kilfitt also produced some cameras. McKeown lists the '''Kilfitt Motor Camera''', similar to the Robot (1935), and states that, having sold his original design to Berning, Kilfitt was eventually stopped by them from making this.<ref name=McK></ref> A prototype for a 2¼-inch square-format SLR, the '''Kilfitt 6x6''' (never manufactured) was made in about 1941.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Kilfitt-6x6-Prototype/AI-21-13692 Kilfitt 6x6 prototype], with focal-plane shutter and 80mm f/2.8 Xenar, offered for sale at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-21/ 21st Westlicht Photographica Auction], in May 2012.</ref> |
| − | Kilfitt designed the [[Mecaflex]] 35 mm SLR; [[Metz]] at first made the camera bodies, but withdrew from the deal after making only a small number of the cameras, and Kilfitt engaged '''SEROA''' of Monaco to make the bodies instead. | + | Kilfitt designed the [[Mecaflex]] 35 mm SLR (1951); [[Metz]] at first made the camera bodies, but withdrew from the deal after making only a small number of the cameras, and Kilfitt engaged '''SEROA''' of Monaco to make the bodies instead. |
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Heinz Kilfitt (Heinrich Wilhelm Kilfitt; * 27th May 1898 in Bochum-Höntrop; † 8th Nov. 1980 in Munich) was a prolific designer of cameras (he designed the first Robot cameras in the 1930s[1]). His firm Heinz Kilfitt München is primarily known for its innovative series of macro, telephoto, and zoom lenses from the 1950s and 1960s. Kilfitt was contracted to manufacture the groundbreaking 1960 Zoomar 36-82mm lens for Voigtländer. Later, with the 1967 retirement of Heinz Kilfitt, Zoomar designer Dr. Frank G. Back acquired the Kilfitt company and continued its products from Zoomar's home in Long Island, New York.
Kilfitt also produced some cameras. McKeown lists the Kilfitt Motor Camera, similar to the Robot (1935), and states that, having sold his original design to Berning, Kilfitt was eventually stopped by them from making this.[1] A prototype for a 2¼-inch square-format SLR, the Kilfitt 6x6 (never manufactured) was made in about 1941.[2]
Kilfitt designed the Mecaflex 35 mm SLR (1951); Metz at first made the camera bodies, but withdrew from the deal after making only a small number of the cameras, and Kilfitt engaged SEROA of Monaco to make the bodies instead.
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| Camera industry in Munich |
| Agfa | Deckel | Eder | Enna | Friedrich | Kilfitt | Leitmeyr | Linhof | Niezoldi & Krämer | Perka | Rex | Rietzschel | Rodenstock | Staeble | Steinheil |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p465.
- ↑ Kilfitt 6x6 prototype, with focal-plane shutter and 80mm f/2.8 Xenar, offered for sale at the 21st Westlicht Photographica Auction, in May 2012.
Links
- Kilfitt Zoomar & Kilar lenses at Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest
- Zoomar 36–82mm f/2.8 at Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest
- Kilfitt history at AlpaReflex.com (archived)
- Kilfitt Kilarscope and Kilarflex Reflex Housing user manual at Butkus.org
