Fap Norca B

Photos by Sylvain Halgand text by Sylvain Halgand. From the collection of Sylvain Halgand. Last update 2022-10-29 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in France from (Circa) 1947 to (After) 1947.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1071

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Fap

The F.A.P. (Fabrique d'Articles Photos), located at 6 Rue du Ratrait in Suresnes, was founded in 1938. In 1947, the address changed to 21 Quai Gallieni, Suresnes.

As the name suggests, the company manufactured photographic accessories, such as the Norca pocket rangefinder, the Norca film winder, and eveready bags. However, it is primarily known for its Norca cameras.

The first model was called the Norca, later designated as the Norca A to distinguish it from subsequent models. It was a 24x36 camera made of bakelite, using a 36-exposure film loader. It was one of the early French cameras to utilize the new 135 cartridge. Despite being marked as Norca, the shutter was manufactured by Gitzo, with a maximum speed of either 1/300 or 1/175. The lens and shutter were mounted on a retractable tube, which could be locked in the folded position with a bayonet at the base of the tube. The lens was either a Boyer Saphir 3.5/50 or a Berthiot Flor 3.5/50. Production of this model ceased at the beginning of World War II.

The post-war model (circa 1947) was named the Norca B. and remained bakelite. It differed from the previous model by the exposure counter button and the introduction of the new Rapid-Synchro-00 shutter (a French version of Compur) which allowed for speeds up to 1/500. The lens tube had to be extended to use it.

The third and final model (circa 1948) was called the Norca C and was made of aluminum. This is the name used in advertisements from that time, although some authors refer to it as the Norca Cmt. The Rapid-Synchro-00 shutter became the standard. Synchronization (and likely the addition of a rangefinder) required the installation of a shoe attached to the top cover.

The bakelite part of this camera is identical to the Argus A.

The Norca and Norcaflex trademarks were registered by Mr. Joseph Rosenfled, 2 Rue Ketels, Brussels (Belgium) on December 6, 1945, at the commercial court of Seine (51304 and 51305).

FAP also had an unusual camera in its catalog, the Pin-Up.

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Not yet translated into English

Ce Norca B est en bakélite, mais il possède les attributs du Norca C.

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