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Franka Rolfix
France Version française
Photos by Jean-François Weber text by Jean-François Weber. From the collection of Jean-François Weber. Last update 2023-12-18 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1948 to (After) 1948.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 2575

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Franka 

The Rolfix cameras are simple 6 x 9 folding cameras, with numerous versions (mostly combinations of lenses and shutters) marketed from around 1931 until the mid-1950s.

Some Rolfix cameras were equipped with French lenses, sometimes with Gitzo shutters, specifically for sale in France. Some were rebranded to fit into distributors' catalogs.

Rolfix cameras are vertical folding cameras with automatic opening. The standard format is 6 x 9, but depending on the version, they can also produce negatives of 4.5 x 6 or 6 x 6. They are recognizable by the shape of the scissor struts, especially the supporting legs that hold the lens/shutter assembly.
World War II interrupted their production, which resumed in the late 1940s, utilizing pre-war parts. From the early 1950s, the quality improved, with assembly using high-quality lenses and efficient shutters. The design modernized, including the addition of a cover spanning one side of the camera and incorporating the viewfinder, possibly a rangefinder. Manufactured in the US occupation zone, some cameras were exported to the USA, indicating "Made in Germany US Zone."

Throughout the model's existence, it was marketed under various brands.

List (non-exhaustive):

Model   Revêtement Viewfinder Size Lens Shutter  

Rolfix Before WWII Herringbone Right   Extra Rapide
Paris
Gitzo French version
Rolfix Striures
Left
multiple Boyer
Topaz 4.5
Prontor
Rolfix Herringbone
Left
multiple Boyer
Topaz 6.3
Stein und Binneweg
Rolfix c. 1948 Stripes
Right
multiple Boyer
Topaz 4.5
Prontor II
Rolfix c. 1948 Herringbone
Right
multiple Radionar 4.5 Prontor II  
Rolfix 1951-52

Herringbone

Right
optical
6 x 9
6 x 6
Radionar 4.5 Prontor-S  
Rolfix II 1951-52   Right
optical
 
Trinar 3,5
Prontor-S Made in Germany
US Zone
Rolfix II   1951-52   Right
optique

 
Trinar 3,5
Compur-Rapid
Rolfix I De Luxe1   1953-57 Herringbone
Full
cover
  Radionar 4.5 Prontor-SV
Rolfix II De Luxe1   1953-57   Full
cover
  Trinar 3,5 Synchro-Compur MX
Rolfix Junior1   1951-52 Herringbone

Right
optical

  Radionar 4.5 Vario
Rolfix Junior De Luxe1   1953-57 Herringbone
Half cover   Frankar 4.5 Vario It is a
Bonafix
 
Bazar Hotel de Ville c. 1939   Right   Armor Stein und Binneweg  
Inconnu c.1934-36 Stripes
Left   Boyer
Topaz
Prontor II French version
Porst Hapo 5   c. 1939
Right 6 x 9
4.5 x 6

Trinar
Pronto  
1 Specific designation of Montgomery Ward


__________

This post-war version of the Rolfix was sold by the Alibert store at 12 Boulevard St-Martin in Paris.

It has the viewfinder on the right side, but the triggering still needs to be done on the shutter. It is equipped with a Prontor II shutter and a Boyer Topaz lens. It's possible that some parts may come from pre-war manufacturing that remained in stock.

Franka Rolfix





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