Corfield WA67 camera research: can you help?

[David Gardner]

I would appreciate any help you can give to inform my research into the history and production of the Corfield WA67 camera, first marketed in 1990.

The WA67 was designed by Sir Kenneth Corfield, perhaps more famous (in terms of photographic manufacturing history) for his range of Corfield Periflex cameras launched in the 1950s.

The WA67 was a development of a camera, named ‘the Architect’, which Sir Kenneth made for his own use to provide a compact, wide angle, medium format camera with the quality and movements he needed for photographing buildings in the narrow streets of European cities he visited.

The camera was an unusual, perhaps even unique, multinational design combining the Japanese 6x7cm format back from the Mamiya RB67; the German Schneider 47mm f/5.6 Super Angulon; both built onto a British-made camera body with a finder linked to the rising front. 

The WA67 was a specialist piece of high quality equipment and as such was expensive (around £1,800 in 1990) and bought almost exclusively by professional photographs who recognised the photographic opportunities it provided.

I am hoping to uncover how many cameras were made and how the camera specification developed over its relatively short production life.  I would also be interested to hear the experiences of those who use/used the camera.

To help complete this piece of camera manufacturing history it would be very helpful if you could provide me with details of a camera you own, or have access to, as follows:

• Camera Serial Number:
• Lens Serial Number:
• Prontor or Copal Shutter:
• Mamiya or Horseman back:
• Plain viewfinder or with shaped mask engraved “TOP”:
• 1 or 2 bubble levels (all have top-mounted, some have an additional one on the side):

Many thanks

[Gordon Christie]

I'm sure you will already have all the information from John E. Lewis book Corfield Cameras but if not I can copy that section for you.
Regards,
Gordon

[David Gardner]

Thanks Gordon, I do have these books, and have also been fortunate to discuss the camera with John.

Gordon Christie said:

I'm sure you will already have all the information from John E. Lewis book Corfield Cameras but if not I can copy that section for you.
Regards,
Gordon

[Stuart Allen]

Hi. I knew Ken and have used the camera. I can look through paperwork I have to see if I have a price list and leaflets on the WA67 if you like? As you will probably know he had an interest in Gandolfi cameras when he an Brian Gould took over the running of the company. Both Corfield and Gandolfi were based in the same building at that point in Andover.  

[David Gardner]

Hi Stuart,

It's good to hear from someone who knew Ken and who used the WA67 - a rare combination.  

I know the history of the camera, the links with Gandolfi and I have gathered together some original literature.  It would however be good to see what you have as you may have different versions which may reveal new facts/modifications or show how the price changed over time.

Thanks for getting in touch.

Stuart Allen said:

Hi. I knew Ken and have used the camera. I can look through paperwork I have to see if I have a price list and leaflets on the WA67 if you like? As you will probably know he had an interest in Gandolfi cameras when he an Brian Gould took over the running of the company. Both Corfield and Gandolfi were based in the same building at that point in Andover.  

[Stuart Allen]

OK I will start digging through what I have. I will need to go up into the loft so give me a few days whilst I go hunting for it.