NAME THAT CAMERA

Traded for this long ago and thought I might try to use but I find my ZI plate holders don't fit. Seem to be the right size but don't quite fit the slots.

Have it down as a HEKFIX but I have no idea where I got that info. Not in McK '98. No name anywhere on the body but has a Vario shutter and a 6.3/135 Kolner Photo-Kino-Centrale Helfix Anastigmat lens.

Need to either use it or let someone else have it. GG is good, shutter works, can't say about bellows condition but quick inspection looks great.

The camera brand is "Helfix" and used by a Cologne photo dealer of the name Wilhelm Helfer.

Likely this shop:
http://in0.bilderbuch-koeln.de/bild...r_stadt_historisch_7be6122896_600x450xfr.jpeg

(which today houses still a (different) camera shop)

There's a period in the depression where smaller German companies were founded then short lived often going bankrupt and then bought an resurrected under another name. At bthe same time there was a lot of rebranding for photo-stores as AgX points out.

I've just bought 1926 and 1930 BJP Almanacs and see cameras I own re-branded by large UK stores, one an Ihagee 9x12 is quite distinctive (dual shutter) and is advertised by Ihagee and then sold by at least two other companies with their own brand name (Wallace and Heaton - Zodel is one).

Ian

Getting ready to offer this for sale, I found a note I made long ago that it was a 'Franka'. From what you have to say, would you say this is a possibility?

Sid

Maybe a Helfix is worth more than a Franka...