Reflekta

The Reflekta is a continuation of the Reflecta by Kamera-Werk Tharandt. The model name was spelled with a "k" from 1949 onwards. The Reflekta II is a version with double exposure prevention.

The production of the Reflekta and Reflekta II was taken over in 1950 by VEB Welta-Kamera-Werk, a merger of Welta and Kamera-Werk Tharandt.

The Reflekta was replaced by the Weltaflex in the mid-1950s.

Reflekta and Reflekta I

Focusing is done by a lever under the taking lens. The framecounter is a small red window on the back of the camera. Shutter release with a lever on the shutter, everset, cocking and releasing in one stroke.

• Format : 12 images size 6 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm
• Known Lens/Shutter combinations :
  
  • Taking Lens : E.Ludwig Meritar f3.5 75mm (coated) in a GW Blitz I everset leaf shutter.
    Viewer Lens : E.Ludwig Meritar f3.5 75mm (coated)
• Filter Size : ?
• Flash synchronisation : Socket on front panel, X-synchronisation
• Selftimer : None
• Lighmeter system : None
• Double exposure prevention : None
• Sportsfinder : None
• Color Leatherette : Black
• Dimensions WxHxD (hood folded) :  ?x?x? mm
• Weight: ??? grams

Description and specs of the Reflekta II

Focusing is done by a lever under the taking lens. The framecounter is a small red window on the back of the camera.
Shutter release with a knob on top of the body.
The early (VEB KWT) Reflekta II's have a different appearance, only straight lines on the front and the hood is more like a truncated pyramid.

• Format : 12 images size 6 x 6 cm on 120 type rollfilm
• Known Lens/Shutter combinations :
  
  • Taking Lens : E.Ludwig Meritar f3.5 75mm (coated).
    Viewer Lens : E.Ludwig Meritar f3.5 75mm (coated)
    • In following shutters :
      GW Junior everset leaf shutter
      VEB Mimosa Velax everset leaf shutter
  • Taking Lens : Meyer Trioplan f3.5 75mm (coated).
    Viewer Lens : Meyer Trioplan f3.5 75mm (coated)
    • In following shutters :
      Gauthier Prontor-S leaf shutter
• Filter Size : 30mm Push-On (Trioplan lens)
• Flash synchronisation : Socket on shutter, X-synchronization (Prontor-S)
• Selftimer : Yes (Prontor-S)
• Lighmeter system : None
• Double exposure prevention : Yes
• Sportsfinder : Yes
• Color Leatherette : Black
• Dimensions WxHxD (hood folded) : 86x135x97 mm
• Weight: 915 grams

Four 75/3.5 lenses are reported: the Triotar and Trioplan by Meyer, the Meritar by Ludwig and the Pololyt by ROW. Similarly, four different shutters are known on this camera; Cludor (B, 1–1/200s), Junior and Vebur (B, 1–1/250s), Prontor-SV (B, 1–1/300s). It uses 120 film.

Name variants

The Flektar is an export version sold by Peerless. The Superflex is another export version sold by Penn.

Pictures

Welta Reflekta II (1950-1955) Pololyt 3.5/75 in Prontor-SV shutter image by Tomasz Zdankowski (Image rights)

lens twins image by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

VEB KW Tharandt Reflekta II (1949-1950) Meritar 3.5/75 in Velax shutter Note the KWT logo on the finder cover. image by Danipuntocom (Image rights)

Welta Reflekta (1950-1951) Pololyt 3.5/75 in Blitz I shutter image by Andrys Stienstra (Image rights)

Bibliography

• 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). Pp. 823–4, 984 and 993–4.

Links

In English:

• Reflekta II at The Camera Site
• VEB KW Tharandt Reflekta II at Daniel Jiménez's From the focal plane to infinity
• Richter and Welta TLR cameras at Barry Toogood's www.tlr-cameras.com

In German:

• Welta Reflekta II in Erik Fiss' photo website
• Welta Reflekta II at Tom Kurpjuweits' photo website
• Pages of Frank Gähler www.reflekta.de with Reflekta, Reflecta, Vitaflex, Trumpfreflex, Reflekta I, Reflekta II, Peerflekta II, Peerflekta V, Flektar, Wirgin TLR, in all Variations

In Polish:

• Reflekta II (Pololyt, Prontor-SV) at blog.zdankowski.com