Corfield Periflex

A 35mm viewfinder system developed by K.G. Corfield Ltd. and became known for its innovative use of a periscope-type viewing system. This feature made the Periflex a unique hybrid of a viewfinder and SLR camera. Another advantage was that the cameras of this system had a focal plane shutter and a classic LEICA screw mount, and used standard 35mm film. The original idea was that the Periflex would appeal to those who couldn't afford the substantial investment in LEICA equipment, or those who needed a second camera body, but in the end the camera was so good that it was decided to compete with the German manufacturers.

TOP OF THE LINE MODELS:

• Periflex - the original model with a periscope-like tube, which was dropped down manually for focusing. An external viewfinder mounted on the accessory shoe was used for composing the frame. The rubberized fabric focal plane shutter provided speeds from 1/30 to 1/1000 sec. and "B". The shutter release button was placed on the front plate. Flash synchronisation was provided by the standard socket located just below the shutter release button. Film advance and shutter cocking were uncoupled. The back plate / baseplate were removable for easy film loading;
• Periflex 3 - a significantly reworked version of the original Periflex with interlocked shutter cocking and film advance, automatically lowered periscope, slow shutter speeds, built-in viewfinder with interchangeable objectives for lenses of different focal lengths, a third eyepiece through which one could see the film speed setting, and two flash sync sockets;
• Periflex 3a - as the Periflex 3, but with a lever wind and a film speed dial on the top plate, periscope with a small split-image rangefinder, and small cosmetic changes;
• Periflex 3b - as the Periflex 3a, but in a professional black finish and with a third flash sync socket on the top plate.

STRIPPED-DOWN MODELS:

• Periflex 2 - model with a top shutter speed of 1/500 sec., no film speed indicator, and with a fixed viewfinder objective;
• Periflex Gold Star - similar to the Periflex 3, but with a top shutter speed of 1/300 sec.;
• Periflex Interplan-A - as the Gold Star, but without the periscope.

In the early 1960s, Corfield found it increasingly difficult to compete with German and Japanese manufacturers, who were releasing more and more new models at attractive prices.

THE LENSES:

The cameras could use LEICA lenses, but due to the high cost of German optics, the Corfield company had to resort to the help of the British Optical Lens Company (BOLCo) to create the first lenses (LUMAR 50/3.5, 100/4 and 150mm). Later, the company collaborated with the West German firm Enna.

According to the advertising materials, all lenses in the LUMAX range had lanthanum-content components and were so designed that there were little to be gained from stopping down apart from increased depth of focus. In this case, what was meant were LUMAR/LUMAX lenses manufactured by Enna, but not the early lenses created in collaboration with BOLCo.

Since the Periflex was a 35mm viewfinder/periscope camera, not a rangefinder camera, the lenses were not rangefinder coupled.

NOTE: We could not record 45/3.5 (silver chrome), 100/4 (silver chrome), 135/3.5 (silver chrome), 135/2.8 ("zebra") lenses, as we do not have their basic specifications.