PERIFLEX
1948
1952
1953
1954
1955
1957
1958
1961
1971
Kenneth
Corfield, together with his brother John, founds the company K.G. Corfield
Ltd. in Wolverhampton, England.
Having
manufactured a number of photographic accessories, such as rangefinders and
exposure meters, the decision is taken to build a 35mm camera. The decision
is influenced by the high duties on imported cameras. Initially, the aim is
to provide a reasonably priced second body for Leica owners.
The first
camera (Periflex 1 first version) is introduced. The name is derived from
periscope reflex.
Periflex
1, version 2 introduced.
Periflex
1, version 3 marketed.
The
Periflex 3 appears. On this model the periscope focusing unit is internal,
with a conventional viewfinder window on the rear of the body. The front element
of the viewfinder is interchangeable, to suit the lens being used.
Over
the next few years a number of new models appear, starting with the Periflex
2 (basically a Periflex 3 with a lower top speed and a non-interchangeable
viewfinder) in 1958. This is followed by the 3a (1959), 3b (1960), Gold Star
and Interplan-A (both 1961). The Interplan is produced in three versions (Interplan-A,
B and C) with Leica screw, Pentax M42 and Exacta bayonet
fittings.
The company moves production to County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
fittings.
The company moves production to County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The
Guiness brewing company take a stake in K.G. Corfield Ltd (because of their
precision engineering expertise). The Corfield 66, a 6 x 6 SLR, is introduced
and a few prototypes of the final Periflex, the Maxim, are produced. Camera
production ceases and manufacturing concentrates on automotive accessories.
The
company, now owned by Smiths Industries Ltd., is closed down.
Detailed
information is available in the
book The Periflex Story by John E. Lewis, Ericson Lewis (Publications), Blofeld,1985.
