Periflex 1953

Tomei Collection

The Periflex camera was made by K.G. Corfield in England. Here is an early example of the first model marketed in 1953-55, marked Nr 3120. According to John E. Lewis' excellent history of the Periflex camera, this serial number corresponds the 120th camera built in 1953.

It has the unique periscope reflex viewer for focusing as well as the eye level focuser. The shutter speeds are engraved directly in the top housing which is characteristic of the early production models from 1953. The lens is a 50mm f/3.5 Lumar X built c1955.

I must admire the fact that the Periflex was actually designed and built to be a second body for photographers who used Leica cameras. As such, the periflex accepts 39mm Leica screw mount lenses. The cameras are exceptionally light constructed primarily of aluminum, a welcomed advantage during the decades of very heavy cameras from the major companies.

One small irritating feature of this design is the cross-hatched plate on the bottom that releases the lower assembly for loading film. It is best turned using a rubber stopper or something that grips firmly. It opens by turning to the right (CW) as viewed here.

This 3 element 90mm f/2.8 Tele-Lumax lens was produced in 1961 and is one of the rarest of the Periflex lenses according to Lewis. With optics produced by Enna in Germany, it has a 26 degree acceptance angle and focuses down to 2.5 ft. More common were the 3 element 95mm f/2.8 Lumar with 25 degree angle and 6 ft minimum focusing, and the four element 95mm f/3.5 Lumax with 43 degree angle and minimum focus of 4 ft.

Early models had the shutter speeds engraved directly on the anodized upper plate. This was soon changed and a separate chrome plate was added to minimize wear and make the numbers more legible. The black surface on this example shows little wear unlike many found today.

One of the most troublesome elements of production was the rubber-mounted glass pressure plate (above) which was often found to have hair-line scratches visible only when viewed at a critical angle. Later models of the 3A were built with metal pressure plates as a consequence. Here is shown the glass pressure plate on the early model in this collection.

Periflex 1953 Tomei Collection

Periflex 1953

Tomei Collection