Corfield 66
1961
K.G. Corfield
Wolverhampton
England
Lens:
f3.5, 95 mm Corfield Lumax. Click stop iris to f32. Breech lock mount. Depth-of-field scale on lens. Serial no. 2212201 .Shutter:
Focal plane, speeds 1/10 - 1/500, B. Flash synchronisation.Construction:
Metal body, leatherette covering.Format:
12, 6 x 6 cm exposures on 120 roll-film.Focusing:
Helical to 4 feet.Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass focusing screen. Magnifier in hood.Mirror raised by finger pressure against spring and does not trip, returns when pressure is removed.
Film advance indicated by red window, not coupled to shutter.
Mirror lock up. Removable finder. Removable film cassettes.
Serial Number:
AA00149 .With:
- Two magazine backs with instruction book.
- Cut film slide marked Corfield.
- Extension tubes, 12, 24, 48 mm.
- Corfield Yellow 2 filter (3x) in Heliopan leather case. 52 mm size.
Instruction book. Carrying strap.
- Corfield outfit case.
A well-made and finished camera (apart from the leatherette) but lacking refinements such as automatic diaphragm, focusing screen condenser and coupling between the shutter and film advance. The camera is heavy and much taller than it need be due to the bought in roll-holder. A conventional accessory shoe is not fitted instead there is a machined block surrounding the tripod screw to which accessories can be fitted. The 66 was an attempt to develop a quality reflex at a low price; it sold for slightly more than a Rolleicord. The write-up in the BJA was largely favourable though they thought the cloth sides to the focusing hood would cause problems.
The camera was made in very few numbers, probably around 1000, and only one lens was available. Production stopped due to funding issues after Guinness became a leading shareholder in the company. Serial numbers have the form AA00xxx, known numbers range from AA00003 to AA00991. Lens numbers have the form 221xxxx, known numbers range from 2212136 to 2213259. There is no correlation between body and lens numbers.
Accessories included a hand-grip, extension tubes (3 tubes with front and rear bayonet adapter), lens hood and filters.
One of the roll-film backs has an extended wind-on knob, the other is a normal Rada-type knob. The lens, case, cassette and cut film holder are all made in Germany. The price was £76/10/6.