Kafta Kaftax |
![]() |
Manufactured or assembled in France from 1950 to 1952.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 583
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.
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.
This basic 6 x 9 camera from 1949/50 bears a resemblance to a hybrid of Photax and Fex designs. In the case of the latter, this similarity is quite normal given Fritz Kaftanski's role in Fex's history. The camera features an "instantaneous" shutter speed and a bulb mode. Users can select between two apertures and a yellow filter. The shutter release is located at the end of the fixed lens tube.
![Kafta Kaftax](../../kafta/images/kaftax.jpg )
Interesting links or bibliography :
Add a link or element of bibliography, a picture taken with this camera, a picture of box or an ads about this camera
Your photos taken with the same camera:
Cameras from Ebay France (Kafta) (Uploaded each 3 hours)