Manufactured or assembled in France from 1954 to (After) 1954.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 10260

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Royer 

Présentation des nouveautés 1949, in Photo-Revue :

For many amateurs, the name of this new camera is still unfamiliar, as its last introduction did not allow for widespread dissemination of its advantages. Let's briefly recap them here. Meticulously constructed from die-cast metal, the "ROYER" features several patented improvements, including a shutter lock on the body after each exposure and an automatic 100% guaranteed film advance, achieved through careful engineering and strict quality control of its components. It supports both 6 x 9 and 4.5 x 6 formats, with an interesting innovation in film numbering: the viewfinders, in the case of the "ROYER," are indeed separate, and the format numbers are readable individually in their own windows.
Additionally, the camera boasts various advantages, such as the ability to use any 6 x 9 spool with a small or large core, film position control through a red or white window (for exposed or unexposed frames), direct and instant reading of the depth of field table, and an embedded optical viewfinder.
The placement of the delayed action mechanism inside the camera, separate from the shutter itself, allowed for the creation of more robust gears and axles, making them less prone to wear and breakdowns.
The camera comes equipped with top-notch optics from renowned worldwide brands: BERTHIOT with F4.5 treatment, FLOR with either F3.8 or F4.5 treatment, and ANGENIEUX with either F4.5 or F3.5 treatment.
Due to its success since its release, the Société Industrielle de Technique Optique has expanded the production of the "ROYER" and established new facilities specially designed for this purpose. They offer customers a high-quality camera specifically designed by experts in the field, rigorously controlled at every stage of production and verified using the most modern techniques in photography.
This year, S.I.T.O. introduces its high-quality shutter calibrated from 1 second to 1/300th of a second, equipped with a flash synchronization socket. This shutter will be featured in the new models that the company will release in June, including those with F3.5 ANGENIEUX treatment and F3.8 FLOR treatment, and subsequently in most of the models they manufacture.

The Royer folding cameras are robustly constructed cameras. They are dual-format cameras, supporting both 6 x 9 and 4.5 x 6 formats, and they can work with either 120 or 620 film. Only Photo-Plait, between 1954 and 1957, indicates 6 x 6 as a second format. An in-depth examination of some units confirms this peculiarity. It applies to different models that are listed as 4.5 x 6 in other catalogs. It is associated with the presence of a round, non-actinic viewing window cover, as the markings on the paper back of 120 films are not at the same level for 6 x 6 and 4.5 x 6 formats. In this case, the framing marks in the viewfinder are spaced farther apart than on the 4.5 x 6 versions.

These cameras are entirely metallic, covered with a casing. The corners of the body are exposed.

There are variations in details to note:

- The top integrates the viewfinder. The top of it may or may not be covered. The border of the front window can differ, likely depending on the mold used during casting.
- Some units have strap rings, while others do not.
- The struts are chrome, except on the Royer A and B models, where they are partially painted black.
- The non-actinic viewing window cover allowing for the frame number reading can have two shapes, either round or elongated and pivoting at its center.
- The self-timer, if present, can be on the cover in most cases or directly on the shutter.

The synthesis of the different Royer folding models is not straightforward to establish because the model designations in various catalogs are not always reliable.

Model	Years	Lens f/ 4.5				Lens f/3.5		Shutter
		Berthiot Spécial	Angénieux	Royer Sitar	Flor Berthiot	Flor Berthiot	Angénieux	1/10 to 1/200	1/10 to 1/300	Timer.1	Syncro.1
Royer I	48-49	Yes	Yes					Yes
Royer I R	48-53	Yes (48-51)	Yes (48-51)	Yes (50-53)				Yes	Yes4	Yes
Royer II 5	48-49	Yes						Yes
Royer II R 5	49-57	Yes	Yes					Yes	Yes4	Yes
Royer II RS 5	49-57	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes			Yes	Yes4	Yes	Yes
Royer III	49				Yes			Yes
Royer III R	49-50				Yes			Yes		Yes
Royer III RS	49-57				Yes			Yes	Yes4	Yes	Yes
Royer IV 2	49-57					Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes4	Yes	Yes
Royer A 3	54										Yes
Royer B 3	54-55									Yes	Yes

¹ The letters R and S indicate the presence of a self-timer (R) and flash synchronization (S), but this can be somewhat problematic because distributors don't always specify these features in their catalogs.
² The Royer IV is the only model equipped with an f/3.5 lens.
³The Royer A and B are specific models sold by Photo-Plait, featuring a Trylor 4.5 lens and a unique shutter with speeds ranging from 1/25 to 1/200.
⁴ In the year 1952, the shutters were upgraded from a maximum speed of 1/200 to 1/300.
⁵ The lenses on the Royer II models are coated and appear bluish.

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