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  K. G. Corfield Ltd Company

It was in 1947 Kenneth George Corfield, while employed at the Fischer Bearings Co., made an precise exposure meter at home. After demonstrating it to Walsall Photographic Society he founded his home business calling the new device the Lumimeter. Sales grew and in 1948 He established the Corfield Limited company with John Corfield as technical director. The company was initially established as a maker of scientific instruments located at the old Merridale Works, Wolverhampton (central England). In addition to the Lumimeter, the company also sold the Corfield Telemeter Rangefinder, the Corfield Optical Exposure Meter and other dark room products. The company advertised themselves as manufacturers, importers, and world distributors.

In 1952 the firm developed a 35mm camera, called the Perflex with lenses made by the British Optical Lens Co of Walsall. The well made camera sold well into the 60's.

In 1959 The Merridale factory was decaying and the Corfield company moved to a new factory in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland.

In early 1960s The company was taken over by Guinness where Kenneth Corfield remained for a short time as the Managing Director. He left and to pursue a career at Standard Telephones and Cables, becoming Chairman and CEO.

K. G. Corfield Limited closed in July 1971.

Kenneth Corfield was later involved in developing the Corfield WA67 wide-angle camera, that was used particularly for architectural photography. Corfield was knighted in 1980. In partnership with Brian Gould, he purchased the Gandolfi camera company in 1982 to preserve its history. He died at the age of 91 on 11 January 2016.

CLICK HERE for a list of Corfield cameras






January 2016, Amateur Photographer. Sir Kenneth Corfield, the man behind the 'last successful' British camera range, dies aged 91. (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/latest/photo-news/sir-kenneth-corfield-founder-of-last-successful-british-camera-range-dies-aged-91-68993)

Grace's Guide, (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/K._G._Corfield)

The Corfield Family Tree, (http://corfield.port5.com/web/13121.htm Kenneth George Corfield)

The Telegraph, Feb. 2016. Sir Kenneth Corfield, businessman - obituary (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12145082/Sir-Kenneth-Corfield-businessman-obituary.html)

Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Corfield)


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2018-03-10 23:05:43

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