Pontiac Lynx I

Photos by Sylvain Halgand text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Sylvain Halgand. Last update 2022-02-19 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in France from 1941 to (After) 1947.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1461

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Pontiac

Traduction de Daniel C.

The Lynx I has been manufactured during the German occupation.
A peculiar idea as it was rather difficult to sale cameras during this painful period.
Bernard Vial estimates that only one hundred Lynx I were manufactured. I do not know on which basis is made this estimate. In my camera I can read the number 15, which could be the serial number.
The body of the camera is similar to those of the Lynx II but the lens assembly is completely different.

The existence of some absolutely useless appendices on the Lynx I leads to think that the Lynx II was already existing, at least as a draft while the Lynx I was produced.
For example, the circular emboss which is supporting the setting switch and the shutter speed selector is visible as well as the location where the flexible shutter release is connected.

On the Lynx I, the shutter speed setting, the cocking of the shutter as well as the shutter release are all together installed on the shutter block which is mounted on an helicoidal ramp that needs to be unscrewed down to a mechanical stop to obtain correct photos. A small lock allows this system to stay in position without risk for the ramp to retract spuriously.

The Lynx I could be considered as a “ waiting for better “

It must be noted that we can read “Photal Damien” on the front plate of the shutter. This name appears without “Damien” some years later, at the same place on Kinax cameras.

Interesting links or bibliography :

Add a link or element of bibliography, a picture taken with this camera, a picture of box or an ads about this camera

Your photos taken with the same camera: