Kinax Ardennes

Photos by Sylvain Halgand text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Sylvain Halgand. Last update 2022-12-13 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in France from 1952 to 1954.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1198

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Kinax

Traduction de Sylvain Halgand.

The Ardennes resembles Normandy (equivalent of Super Kinax III), but its lens is not Berthiot Bellor 3,5. That makes it the equivalent of Kinax III . In a magazine of 1954, it is equip of Berthiot Special, whereas in an edition of 1952 of “Photography”, the lens is a treated Kinn Berthiot (but it is undoubtedly about the same lens).

About the cameras intended for the American market, I have a very personal hypothesis on the reason of their name of French area. I think that they are the French areas in which, American fight during the two world wars:

Please see at french part (left one).

However, these cameras were sold in the USA (and in other Anglo-Saxon countries having taken part in the same combat) in the years which followed the second world war, whereas the GI had just returned on their premises, and that the veterans of the WWI were always alive. Marketing….

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Interesting links or bibliography :

Photography de 1952

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