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Kafta Banco Special
France Version française
Photos by Sylvain Halgand text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Sylvain Halgand. Last update 2023-08-30 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in France from 1954 to 1954.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1126

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Kafta 

The brand Kafta was registered at the registry of the Commercial Court of the Seine (Registration No. 367 255) on May 21, 1946, by Frédérick Kaftanski, 44 rue Damrémont, Paris. This brand covered photographic and cinematographic apparatus, as well as their accessories.

Kafta

The models under this brand, with the exception of the Sidax, all bear a strong resemblance to each other.
The bodies of the cameras are made of molded material, possibly bakelite. They are quite long, with rounded ends. The viewfinder is housed in a protrusion of the body that strongly recalls the Photax line.

There are two families: the Kaftax family and the Banco family. The Banco models replaced the Kaftax ones. (Tables established based on catalogs)

The Kaftax models have a rounded front face.

  Moving of front part Lens Yellow Filter Diaph. Shutter Synchro Years Price FF (1952)

Kaftax No - Fixfocus Yes 2 P or I No 1950-1952 1925
Kaftax No Kaftar Optic Fixfocus Yes 2 P or I No 1950-1952 1925
Kaftax II Auto - Fixfocus Yes 2 P or I No   ?
Kaftax MP Manual - Focusing Yes 2 P or I Yes   ?

The Banco models have a flat front face, protected by a metal plate.

  Moving of front part Lens Yellow Filter Diaph. Shutter Synchro Years Price FF (1954)

Banco Auto - Fixfocus1 Yes   P or I No1 1952 ?
Banco 4,5 Auto Transpar 4,5/80 Focusing No   Adjustable Yes 1954-1955 7800
Banco Perfect Auto Coated meniscus Focusing Yes 2 P or I Yes 1953-1955 3660
Banco Special Manual Non coated meniscus Focusing   2 P or I No 1954 2760

1The catalogs and the presented specimen are in contradiction, which could be a sign of the model's evolution over its lifespan.
__________

The Banco Spécial represents a "regressive" evolution of the Banco Kafta. The tube that holds the lens is retractable, but it needs to be pulled to extend it from the housing. Interestingly, the housing itself bears traces of an ejection mechanism, despite this manual extraction method.

Kafta Banco Special





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