Anyone encountered a Reflecta (with a C) TLR?

[Muggins]

I've just come across one of these in a tat - sorry, collectibles - shop and stupidly didn't think to take a photo before leaving the shop. Also stupidly, by the time of realising I should ask here it was too late to go back!

Has anyone anyone else come across one? Uncle Google suggests a little info, but not much.

ETA there is one on ebay that looks very similar: EARLY RICHTER REFLECTA 120 TLR W MEYER 7.3CM F/3.5 TRIOPLAN WORKING | eBay UK

In short it's a very small 120 TLR fitted with two Meyer Trioplan lenses - didn't think to check how fast they were - and a 1- 1/300th Compur shutter.

I suspect unusually (I'm not that familiar with TLRs) to load it you open the back and take a cone out like a box camera.

I think it's 1930s. I'm tempted to go back as it's so unusual, and decent lens shutter combo, but am a bit concerned because the viewfinder is extremely dim - makes my Old Standard Rollei look like a lighthouse sort of dim - and I really can't tell whether it's in focus or not. It may have been fiddled with, having been well used, as the wind knob is an odd lash-up, but the lenses do move in and it as the focus lever is moved.

If you know any more I'd love to hear from you!

 

[p.giannakis]

I've just come across one of these in a tat - sorry, collectibles - shop and stupidly didn't think to take a photo before leaving the shop. Also stupidly, by the time of realising I should ask here it was too late to go back!

Has anyone anyone else come across one? Uncle Google suggests a little info, but not much.

ETA there is one on ebay that looks very similar: EARLY RICHTER REFLECTA 120 TLR W MEYER 7.3CM F/3.5 TRIOPLAN WORKING | eBay UK

In short it's a very small 120 TLR fitted with two Meyer Trioplan lenses - didn't think to check how fast they were - and a 1- 1/300th Compur shutter.

I suspect unusually (I'm not that familiar with TLRs) to load it you open the back and take a cone out like a box camera.

I think it's 1930s. I'm tempted to go back as it's so unusual, and decent lens shutter combo, but am a bit concerned because the viewfinder is extremely dim - makes my Old Standard Rollei look like a lighthouse sort of dim - and I really can't tell whether it's in focus or not. It may have been fiddled with, having been well used, as the wind knob is an odd lash-up, but the lenses do move in and it as the focus lever is moved.

If you know any more I'd love to hear from you!

Probably the mirror has perished. I have seen TLRs in antiques shop which is almost impossible to see through the finder. If the taking lens is f/3.5, then I suspect the viewing lens is f/3.5 too. Otherwise there might be focusing errors wide open.

My Rolleicord has a mirror in decent shape but it really is difficult to see without the magnifying piece due to the f/4.5 viewing lens .

 

[Muggins]

Probably the mirror has perished. I have seen TLRs in antiques shop which is almost impossible to see through the finder. If the taking lens is f/3.5, then I suspect the viewing lens is f/3.5 too. Otherwise there might be focusing errors wide open.

My Rolleicord has a mirror in decent shape but it really is difficult to see without the magnifying piece due to the f/4.5 viewing lens .

Thanks, Pan. You are probably right. I know the Old Standard Rollei mirrors perish.

Ironically the Voigtlander Brilliant on the shelf with it, which is closer to a box camera than a TLR, has a bright, bright finder and I'm prepared to bet that that has a sheet of chromed metal in it which is still in perfect nick paired with a big simple lens.

I'm still tempted to pick it up as (yet another...) project. Its battered enough that I won't spoil its looks!