|
Sem Semflash 3,5 couleur (Type 50) |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from 1956 to 1959.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 12845
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Sem
The Semflex cameras were offered in three ranges: Oto, Semi-Oto, and Standard.
The Semflash cameras were special Standards because they were equipped with a built-in electronic flash, which was a world first. The cost of taking pictures was reduced by eliminating the need for "magnesium" bulbs and the associated supply hassles. The target clientele didn't include professional photographers or hobbyists but rather commercial representatives, real estate agents, and others who needed to illustrate their products without delving into technicalities. Particularly, local photographers benefited by renting or borrowing a Semflash, ensuring sales of film, development, and prints.
The equipment included the Semflash and a small transformer because at the time, power distribution was either 115 or 220 volts depending on the region. All this was packed in a small wooden case that could hold reserve 120 films, with the lid showing an illustrated user manual.
Initially separate, the transformer was quickly integrated into the Semflash, eliminating the risk of loss.
Once the camera was plugged into the power supply, loading the film, advancing it with a button, and viewing the photo number in the rear window posed no problem, even for a novice. Opening the lens cap and focusing on the ground glass was within everyone's reach. The trickiest part was identifying a number on the focus button corresponding to an index and transferring it to the aperture ring, ensuring correct exposure. Then, all that remained was to cock the shutter and release it.
But Paul Royer went even further in simplification: the focusing mechanism would directly adjust the aperture, the folding lens cap would be replaced by a viewing well with a large adjustable magnifying glass, protecting the ground glass from dust, and the shutter would not require pre-cocking. Designed for the Semflash, the magnifying cap was available in the catalog, along with the four small screws needed for installation. Therefore, it could be found on any Semflex camera.
Type 50 from "Sem et les Semflex" by P.H. Pont
This model is the most refined and easiest to use: No cover to open (and no dust on the ground glass), no shutter to cock, just focus and shoot.
This model is equipped with a cone supporting a focusing magnifier.
The Orec shutter has two blades, a single speed and is without cocking, the same one used in the "Joie de Vivre" models. The aperture is coupled with the focusing. The lens, open at f/3.5, here an Angénieux, makes it a "Semflash Couleur" according to the advertisements of the time.
"La vie des métiers" from September 1958 announces it at a price of 64,200 francs.
Lenses, for viewing: "P. Angénieux F.75 1:2.8 Type Z5", for shooting "P. Angénieux Paris F.75 1:3.5 Type X1 No. 676677".
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:
Cameras from Ebay France (Sem) (Uploaded each 3 hours)