Reflex-Korelle
The Reflex-Korelle was a reflex camera made by Franz Kochmann, later Korelle-Werk, Dresden. It was one of the earliest 6×6cm SLRs. Several camera makers copied it, for example the British company Agilux. Postwar models were named Meister-Korelle or Master Reflex.
General description
The camera takes 6×6cm exposures on 120 film. It has a focal plane shutter with horizontally running cloth curtains. There is a fixed waist-level viewfinder on top, with a matte screen and a magnifier. The viewing hood has an additional folding frame finder at the top. The camera is focused by turning the lens helicoid.
Evolution[1]
The original Reflex-Korelle was introduced in 1935, with B, 1/25 – 1/500 speeds. Prototypes or preseries cameras were made with 1/1000 top speed, but this was abandoned before the commercial release.
The Reflex-Korelle II, launched in 1936, differs by the addition of slow speeds (to 2s) and a self-timer. After the introduction of model II, the original model without slow speeds was renamed Reflex-Korelle I.
In 1937, the two models were modified with auto-stop film advance, and renamed Ia and IIa. A simplified Reflex-Korelle B, with separate shutter winding and film advance, was sold at the same period.
The Reflex-Korelle II was modified in 1939 with a chrome finished top plate. The Reflex-Korelle III, released the same year, has chrome plating on the front plate and viewing hood, redesigned controls and speeds from 2s to 1/1000. It also introduced a large-diameter bayonet mount.
After World War II, production of the camera was resumed in 1947 by Korelle-Werk, nationalized as VEB WEFO in 1948.[2] The Meister-Korelle is a redesigned model, sold in the USA as the Master Reflex. It has yet another lens mount, with a large diameter screw thread. WEFO was merged into Welta in 1951, and the production of the camera lasted until 1952.
Available lenses
- F2.8 Carl Zeiss Tessar lens (80mm)
- F2.8 Schneider Xenar lens
- F2.9 Schneider Radionar lens (75mm)
- F3.5 Steinheil Cassar lens (80mm)
Notes
- ↑ This section is mostly based on McKeown, pp.471–2 and 983.
- ↑ Reflex-Korelle at retrography.com.
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.471–2 and 983.
Links
In English:
- Reflex-Korelle section on Retrography.com by Simon Simonsen, Denmark
- Reflex-Korelle at Cosmonet's Classic Camera
- Reflex-Korelle at medfmt
- Reflex Korelle leaflet at Marriott World
- Korelle instruction manual @ www.orphancameras.com
In French:
In Italian: