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Corfield Periflex 1 |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in United Kingdom from 1956 to (After) 1956.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10597
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Corfield
Corfield Ltd, a family company of the United Kingdom, located Merridale Street in Wolverhampton, was founded by Kenneth Corfield, in 1947.
Initially specialized in the manufacture of accessories and the distribution of German cameras (Leidox, Minox, Exakta), the brand decided to be launched in the manufacture of a 24x36mm. To have a chance of success this camera was to be efficient, high-performance and modern; but also simplest possible to manufacture. One thus did not do pass beside the focal plane shutter and the interchangeable lenses. Less than 250 parts, including those of standard optics, were carried to the specifications. With this intention, a technology as so astute as unique was introduced. That is a manually retractable mirror, which would allow focusing behind the lens. The descent of this mirror, manual on the first models was made a nickname quickly: The periscope. This mirror allowed a focusing with focal distances going from 28 to 400mm whose centring was ensured by additional reflector view finders. The technology used on these cameras had answered the expectations of its creator: easiness and reliability. The outdatedness of the factory encourages with the delocalization. It will be done on January 30th, 1959. The company moves for Ballymoney in Northern Ireland. But the pressure of the Japanese brands in the United Kingdom becomes very strong and Kenneth Corfield cruelly be lacking of capital to invest in the research… only mainstay of his Company. Guiness, which then seeks to invest in Northern Ireland brings the funds which will have to save the brand… but becomes also majority shareholder with the great despair of Kenneth, who withdraws itself. In 1961, an astonishing diversification is decided with the building of a cheap 6x6: the Corfield 66. The financial situation becomes catastrophic for the production of cameras and Guiness uses the factory to produce various parts, of which car electric elements… The Company will close its doors in July 1971 definitively. Eight principal models in 35mm will be built. They all are regarded as “Leica Copies” in the book written by P-H PONT and J-L PRINCELLE dedicated to this category of cameras.
This camera bears a slight resemblance to the Leica Standard but is unique. Its design is quite strange yet functional and often quite sensible. It follows the very rare Original from 1953 (200 units), which was covered in pigskin, and the 1954 black model with a painted black top cover. The Periflex I was manufactured in fewer than 3,000 units across all versions.
Focus is achieved through a mirror system manually lowered behind the lens. Adjustment is made solely by focusing on the field (circle) for sharpness, without any other accessory. Viewing is done from above. This system quickly earned the nickname "periscope" due to its resemblance to the optical column in submarines. The optical viewfinder is chosen based on the focal length used and is inserted into the accessory shoe.
The shutter release is on the front, above a flash sync socket. A mechanical counter is located in the film advance knob. The back slides in its rails and detaches from the rest of the body.
Exposed film is housed in a specific cartridge.
Interesting links or bibliography :
| Sur Camera-wiki.org, suggested by Sylvain Halgand |
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