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KW Pilot Reflex
France Version française
Photos by JPP text by JPP. From the collection of José Paula. Last update 2018-03-11 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1931 to 1937.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 5559

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras KW 

Pilot Reflex is the common name of this interesting folding TLR, which originally was named simply Pilot by its makers, Kamera-Werkstätten Guthe & Thorsch (KW). The folding structure is a rare feature for a TLR, but not unique during the 1930s. The taking lens has bellows, while the viewing lens has a telescopic tube. The camera is made in a high quality standard, and was produced between 1931 and 1937. It makes 3x4 cm frames on 127 film.

There were no formal models, but while subtle changes occurred during its production, some more drastic changes were made around 1935. The camera here described (no. 1676) is from the initial period, with script nameplate and the neck strap permanently attached to one of the sides of the body.

The camera has an additional lateral folding viewfinder. The shutter is a Compur 300 and the lens is a Schneider 5 cm with maximum aperture of 2.9. Film advance is by means of a dual stroke on a lateral lever with an adjacent frame counter. First frame is positioned via a red window at the back without cover.  Focusing is made by a large knob on the right lateral side.

KW Pilot Reflex
Pilot Reflex with Schneider 5 cm 2.9




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