Manufactured or assembled in France from 1946 to 1946.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1996

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Chronology of cameras Lumiere 

The Lumirex series enjoyed considerable success and could be found in distributor catalogs from 1933 through the late 1950s.

Lumirex cameras are mid-range folding cameras. The Dialux cameras were more expensive but offered better performance. They feature a metal construction, synthetic covering, and a leather bellows. These cameras are considered "automatic," meaning that when opened, the front panel unfolds, and the lens is automatically positioned for taking photos, although some manual assistance is often required to complete the unfolding due to the complexity of this mechanism. The unique design of the scissor struts is a result of this automation. Starting from 1937, the scissor strut design was simplified. On Dialux models, they have a different shape.

There were Lumirex models in 6.5 x 11 cm format, but only before 1940. The 6 x 9 cm models evolved between 1933 and 1958. During this period, four main models were produced: Lumirex, Lumirex I, Lumirex II, and Lumirex III. Some distributors might have given them different names for marketing purposes, but they can all be categorized among these four main models.

Lumirex 6.5 x 11 cm

This model was available under this name from 1935 to 1940. After the war, the equivalent model was renamed Lumière 6.5 x 11 cm, only to disappear as the format became obsolete. It featured a Fidor anastigmat lens with an aperture of f/6.3. In 1935 and 1936, the shutter offered speeds from 1/25 to 1/100 and two poses. Starting from 1936, it was replaced with a shutter going up to 1/125, with or without a self-timer. This model had two viewfinders: a rectifier on the shutter and a folding one on the camera body. The Lumirex 6.5 x 11 cm appears to have never had a shutter release on the camera body but only on the shutter itself. Its dimensions were 19.5 x 9.5 x 4.5 cm, and it weighed 790 g. The stand was elegant, featuring a cut-out JL logo of Jougla Lumière.

Lumirex in 6 x 9 cm (620)

There were models simply called Lumirex from 1933 to 1956, but some changes occurred during these years.

The early models had a Fidor f/6.3 lens, which disappeared from Lumirex cameras at the very end of the 1940s, only to reappear on Ludax models. From 1939 onwards, a brighter lens was offered to customers, the Spector 4.5, which became the standard lens on this camera model until the end of its production. Starting from 1949, this lens was treated, and it could be recognized by its blue reflections.

The first shutter model was limited to 1/100 and did not offer slow speeds. In 1936, it was upgraded to 1/125, with or without a self-timer. In 1939, the shutter release was moved from the shutter to the camera body. Around 1946/47, the viewfinder on the camera body was modified; the new one had a glass pane. By late 1948, catalogs announced a new production with a single viewfinder on the camera body. The following year, a new shutter with speeds up to 1/200 appeared. From then on, it was always advertised with pre-cocking, suggesting that previous shutters did not have pre-cocking. Aperture and speed values were displayed on a plate riveted above the shutter. Photo-Plait called the new model Lumirex 49, and then Lumirex 50 the following year. Starting from 1950, the JL logo within a triangle appeared on the covering. In the last years (1955 and 1956), the shutter went up to 1/250.

Until the end of production, some models had a single viewfinder, while others had two.

Lumirex I

The Lumirex I was introduced in 1952, following the Lumirex II (1946). It only existed with the Spector 4.5 lens. Its shutter offered both timed exposures and slow speeds (1/10 to 1/200). It had a self-timer. There is some uncertainty about the existence of this self-timer on the 1956 versions, as Photo-Hall catalogs do not mention it. This model seems to have always had two viewfinders. The Lumirex I was last mentioned in catalogs in 1956.

Lumirex II

The Lumirex II was introduced in addition to the Lumirex in 1946. It appeared in some catalogs until 1959, depending on remaining stock, but it seems to have ended around 1957. Its lens was the Spector 4.5, although in 1947, Photo-Plait offered some models with the Fidor 6.3 lens, which might have been a mistake. The Spector lens was announced as treated starting from 1952. The Lumirex II had a shutter with slow speeds. Initially limited to 1/150, it was upgraded to 1/300 (with flash sync and pre-cocking) starting from 1952. It had a self-timer. The shutter release was located on the camera body. While not definitive, it likely had two viewfinders.

Lumirex III

The Lumirex III is easily distinguishable from other models by a cover that spans one entire side, protecting the viewfinder and the Lumipose and integrating the film advance knob. This model appeared in 1952 and disappeared in 1957. In its first year, it was only offered with the Spector 4.5 lens (treated). Later on, the range expanded with the introduction of a second lens, the Angénieux 3.5/100 mm. The shutter offered speeds from 1 second to 1/300 and a B setting. Some catalogs referred to it as a Prontor, but most did not provide this information. In 1952, Photo-Hall mentioned a Prontor II. Some models had two viewfinders.

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Interesting links or bibliography :

Sur mes-appareils-photos.fr, suggested by Eric Carlhan

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