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Sem Reyna Cross III |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from 1944 to (After) 1944.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 14528
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Sem
Around 1940, Cornu requested Aluvac to cast the bodies and backs of a small 24 x 36 camera in aluminum. These parts were marked as Aluvac 3439 and Aluvac 3440. These components were used for about two decades by two companies to produce numerous popular camera models.
The Société des Établissements Modernes de Mécanique Générale et de Décolletage Jean Cros was established in Saint-Étienne just before 1939 with state funding to support the war effort. Jean Cros had Aluvac mold rocket fins for him.
After the defeat, Jean Cros, forced to refocus his activities in the civilian sector, considered entering the camera manufacturing business. He reconnected with Paul Royet, who had been a "special assignment" employee in his factory until his demobilization, to offer him the position of Director of the photographic section, where everything had to be created from scratch.
In 1941, Jean Cros, the director of SEMM, obtained a license from Cornu to manufacture a camera in Saint-Étienne using these parts. Paul Royet, the future director of SEM, successfully carried out this project
The Reyna Cross III follows the Reyna Cross II by abandoning the telescopic lens mount in favor of a rigid mount, simplifying construction and avoiding some issues during shooting.
However, while Cornu remained an artisanal enterprise, SEM became more industrialized. It's estimated that SEM used 95% of the camera bodies produced, evolving the body according to its needs, while Cornu adapted according to its preferences.
Initially, the Flor Berthiot 3.5 50mm lens remained in the catalog, but soon the Anastigmat Cross 2.9 45mm lens would become exclusive. This lens was supplied by Berthiot and Angénieux.
In each of these models, you'll find numerous variations due to pre-industrialization and the supply challenges of the post-war period.
Ce Sem Reyna Cross III dont l'obturateur a vraisemblablement rendu l'âme a été muni d'un ensemble obturateur/objectif en provenance d'un Kodak Retina I ou II. Il n'est pas impossible que ce soit le travail de Paul Lachaize qui n'est quand même pas le premier venu dans l'histoire de la photographie. Bien qu'il soit probablement impossible de confirmer ce fait, c'est de toute manière un réparateur aguerri qui a fait cette greffe surtout en devant tenir compte du changement de longueur focale de l'objectif de 45 à 50 mm.
Si pour le déclenchement normal c'est la solution la plus simple qui a été retenue en utilisant le levier prévu sur l'obturateur, l'absence de filetage pour un déclencheur souple a demandé le rajout d'une tige métallique sur le levier du déclencheur et celui d'une équerre en alu où se visse le déclencheur souple qui attaque la tige métallique. Simple et efficace.
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