Kowa Kalloflex I on Display (01) - a photo on Flickriver

Kowa Kalloflex model I.
Japanese MF 6x6 TLR produced c1954~1956

First time i saw the name Kalloflex was some years ago while browsing a sales booklet (May 1956) from the Dutch shop Foka. Well Foka had a connection with one of the biggest importers of Japanese cameras in those years, distributor Fodor.

What really caught my eye then was the fact that the Kalloflex (model II) was much more expensive then the "standard" Japanese Rolleicord clones which flooded our markets then.

The Kalloflex had a price tag of 450,-- Dutch Guilders.
That on its own may say you little but here are some comparisons with other cameras (from the same sales booklet) :
Fodorflex 6x6 TLR (Japanese Rolleicord clone), 195,-- Guilders
Beautyflex model D (Japanese Rolleicord clone), 225,-- Guilders.
Zeiss Ikon Super-Ikonta (Tessar) 460,-- Guilders
Rolleicord V, 445,-- Guilders
Rolleicord Automat, 672,-- Guilders

So, it was quite clear that there must be something special about this Kalloflex that commandeered such a relative high price. So, when a week ago one turned up at a national auction site i did a bid and (surprisingly) won. A good chance for to see for myself what is so special about it.

One thing that immediatly can be noticed is that the Kalloflex has a face of its own. The design is quite different from the "standard" Japanese Rolleicord clones. The Body clearly doesn't come from that sub-contractor used by the latter. The Body is very well machined with a lot of curves and details.
Overall quality seems to be very good indeed, every (external) part is nicely finished.

One of the nice features is the combined position for Focussing and Filmtransport on the right side of the camera. As you can see the Winder Lever is on the same axis as the Focussing Knob. Just tried this out some times but this really enables fast shooting. The transport stroke of the Winder Lever is a mere 180 degrees and feels solid.
I have seen reports/rumours that the Kalloflex was used much by the Press photographers in Japan at that time. Well, don't know if this is true but it surely would be a good candidate for that kind of work.

See also : camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kalloflex

Taken on: March 22, 2014

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Kowa

Kallofex

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TLR

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Sets appears in: • Kowa Kalloflex I TLR • Camera-Wiki images

Groups appears in: • Camera Parade • Vintage Camera Museum more » • TLR • Photos of Cam(s) • Camera GROUP • MUSEE DE LA PHOTO • ~ Camera Glamour ~ • Camera-wiki.org « less

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