Franz Kochmann
Franz Kochmann Fabrik photographischer Apparate (1921 - 1938)
Korelle-Werk G. H. Brandtmann (1938 - 1948)
VEB WEFO (1948 - 1951)
VEB Welta-Kamerawerke (1951 - 1952)
Dresden - Germany

Franz Kochmann founded his company in 1921, and in the period from 1921 to the early 30's he started off by manufacturing folder-cameras, such as the Enolde in 1924 and the Korelle in 1930. However one of his most innovating design were the Reflex Korelle which were launched in 1934-35. For unknown reasons, but probably due to the "drums of war", Franz Kochmann emigrates in 1938, and thus leaves the scene completely. I don't not know what became of Franz Kochmann from that point. The company was renamed (see above) but were totally destroyed during the bombing of Dresden in 1945. A total of 773 Avro Lancaster bombers attacked Dresden that first night. During the next two days the US Air Force sent over 527 heavy bombers to follow up the Royal Air Force attack on the unprotected city.  After the war, in 1947, the Korelle Werk resumed production, but were nationalized in 1948. They produced a post-war version of the Reflex Korelle, named Meister Korelle or Master Reflex. The last Korelle cameras were produced in the Niedersedlitz factory in 1952. Being designed in the early 30's, the Reflex Korelle remains one of the most innovating designs, that would inspire the future of the SLR.
 

Reflex-Korelle type II (1937-38)  SLR
Serial no.: Unknown - "7566" handwritten inside
Format:  6 x 6 on 120 rollfilm
Optics:  Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1:2,9  75 mm
Shutter:  Cloth focal plane shutter B + 1 sec. => 1/500 sec. + selftimer
Accs.: Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1:3,5  80 mm

This particular Reflex-Korelle I have found in the US, and thought it was about time for this lovely german lady to return to Europe. It is not visible on the photos above, but underneath "Reflex-Korelle" it says "Burke & James Inc., Chicago U.S.A.".  The good thing about my camera is, that it is in full working order, which many Reflex-Korelle's are not anymore. It's the wellknown problem of the 6 x 6 cloth focal plane shutter that leaves most of these beauties not functional anymore. But what a wonderful camera this is. Evrything is so beautifully made, such as the winding crank with the small handle that folds down into the knob.  The back part of the body are really sleek, and all exterior surfaces are covered in leatherette. The shutter speed settings are on the right top cover, with one knob for the slow speeds up to 1/10 sec, and the bigger knob for the faster speeds. Shutter release button, selftimer and connection for cable release are on the right front of the lens housing. As seen on the photos above, the Reflex-Korelle offers two viewfinder options + a magnifying glass AND an instant return mirror !.  Did I forget to mention the thread mount interchangeable lenses ?. At this point I only own a spare Tessar, but there is still time to collect more lenses.

In my opinion this is one of the great classics, and I certainly also think, that the original Reflex-Korelle's are cameras worth having totally restored if necessary.