Reflex-Korelle

1936

Model 1

Franz Kochmann

Dresden

Germany

Lens:

f2.9, 7.5 cm Victar, iris diaphragm to f16. Interchangeable screw mount lens. Serial no. 390565 .

Shutter:

Focal-plane speeded 1/25 - 1/500, B.

Construction:

Leather covered metal body.

Format:

12, 6 x 6 cm exposures on 120 roll-film.

Focusing:

Helical to 3 feet.

Attributes:

Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen. Frame finder. Magnifier in hood.
Film-advance indicated by counter after initially setting to 1 in red window.
Lever-wind film-advance which also tensions the shutter.

With:

Case.

The Reflex-Korelle was a fairly basic but functional camera lacking the features of its contemporary, the Exacta.

Models:

Original - Shutter speeds of 1/10 - 1/1000. Film-advance is by counter. 1935.
Model 1 - Shutter speeds of 1/25 - 1/500. Film-advance is by counter. 1936.
Model 11 - As for the Model 1 but with speeds of 2 - 1/500 and delayed action. 1936.
Model 1a - As for a Model 1 but an auto-stop is fitted to the film-advance. 1937.
Model 11a - As for a Model 11 but with an auto-stop to the film-advance. 1937.
Model B - Similar to a Model 1 but the film-advance does not set the shutter, the speed dial has to be turned to tension it. There is no frame finder. c.1939.
Model 111 - Similar to a Model 11a but with different styling around the finder. The shutter speeds go to 1/1000. The lens has a bayonet fitting and a wider throat. c.1939.

Some early models have nickel rather than chrome trim.

A large number of lenses was produced for the Korelle. Some were distributed by the makers others by independent manufacturers. Accessories included extension tubes (16, 26 and 38 mm) and a folding focusing hood.

References & Notes:

BJA 1937, pp. 275, 650.; BJA 1938, p. 527.; AP 27/5/36, pp. iv, xv, xi.; AP 21/7/37, p. xxviii.; AP 21/6/39, p. 712.; Westminster Cat. 1939, p. 60.; Korelle Guide.

Further Information:

BJA 1953, p.221. Dallmeyer lens advert. The AP advertisement of 27/5/36 is by R. A. Fleming who later became Photo-Optics. One advertisement from 27/5/36 shows the original shutter speed range. The advertisement for 21/7/37 says that the 1a and 11a models are nearly ready.

Illustrations:

Wills, History, p.48. (Model B).; Christies Cat. 9/11/89 lot 165. (Model 111).

Early Photography