Candid Camera Perfex 35mm Prototype *

Unknown prototype of a 35mm RF camera 24x36mm with interchangeable lens, focal plane shutter (P, 1 - 1/1000) and selftimer. Uncommon rangefinder- the 1:1 viewfinder image is horizontally divided in two halves of which the lower moves laterally if the lens is focused by turning the substantial knob adjacent to it. The lens, a 2.8/50mm Wollensak Perfex Velostigmat without serial number, is interchangeable in a three claw breech lock bayonet mount of unknown design, it focusses to 3 feet. Longer shutter speeds (1/20 to 1) are set with a small dial above the focusing knob. Below it there are the sync contacts. The back can be removed in Contax style and is arrested with a sliding knob, for use on a tripod it has a 3/8” thread. The camera is the prototype of a advanced professional „Perfex“ camera made by Candid Camera/Chicago, IL, around 1940, which never went in production. The recently discovered camera is in very good and working condition. No other example is known to us.