My Christnas present.

[Tony Warren]

Found while browsing the local auction site for my Christmas present this year.

This was only made for two years, '56-58, and I never thought I would find one, let alone in this condition. I gather it was aimed at the Japanese press corp which has led to the distinctive focus/wind on arrangement. I have long admired this design which overcomes the hand to hand shuffle needed with some versions between shooting and winding on.

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Looks clean Tony - let us know once you post some shots with it!

 

[Pete Askew]

What a fabulous present you’ve found yourself!

I have never heard of them, but I do like the idea of that focus / wind-on arrangement.

 

[Pete Askew]

I’m sure you have seen this.

https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kalloflex

 

[Tony Warren]

Yes I have Pete. One of the few mentions the Kalloflex gets on line. This model, the Automat K2, was only made between 1954 and '56 so pretty rare.
The combined focus and wind arrangement is what appeals to me most but it is reputed to have a very sharp lens, even wide open which will be put to the test. I have discovered that the design was originally aimed at the Japanese press corp so that all actions and adjustments could be made without taking the eye off the subject. The shutter speed and aperture are displayed in a window above the viewing lens, like most serious TLRs and are controlled by click-stopped levers either side of the taking lens, Autocord style. Controls are also quite chunky so I think you could operate then wearing gloves. It also weighs around 7ozs/200grm more than a Rollei 3.5 Automat.