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Royer Savoy I |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from 1956 to 1957.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1103
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Royer
The Royer Savoy cameras are compact 24 x 36 cameras known for their solid construction and reliability. They enjoyed great success in the late 1950s and positioned themselves as competitors to Kodak Retinettes in France. Being more affordable than Focasport cameras, they also found popularity among young conscripts who experienced challenging times in Algeria.
The first model was the Savoy I, but its career was relatively short due to design flaws, which were corrected in the Savoy II. The Savoy III featured a larger and brighter viewfinder. The Savoya was a cheaper version of the Savoy II. In addition to this series of simple cameras, there were models with non-coupled light meters, the IIC and IIc.
With a different design, the Savoy 3 F, Savoy III B, and Savoy III BS were more advanced models with a modern appearance. The use of a numeral in the model name helps distinguish them from the Savoy III.
| Model | Lens | |
| First body shape | ||
| Savoy I | Removable front plate, non-opening back. | Helionar 3.5/50mm |
| ditto | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | |
| Savoy II | ||
| Modified body, wider bulge on the top to accommodate a larger viewfinder. Opening back. |
Som Berthiot 3.5/50 mm | |
| Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | ||
| Savoy II C, with Chauvin-Arnoux cell | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | |
| Savoy II C with Micro Realt cell | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | |
| Savoy III | Like the Savoy II, but with a collimated viewfinder. | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
| Savoya | Economical version (winding with a button). | Som Berthiot 3.5/50 mm |
| Boyer 3.5/50 mm | ||
| Second shape (more rectangular) | ||
| Savoy 3B | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | |
| Savoy 3 BS | Shutter more advanced than on the 3 B | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
| Savoy 3F | Built-in flash for AG-1 bulbs. | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
| SLR | ||
| Savoyflex I | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | |
| Savoyflex II | Shutterr 1/300 | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
| Shutter 1/500 | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm | |
| Savoyflex IIE | with fast mirror | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
| Savoyflex III | Automatic exposure |
Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
| Savoyflex IIIE | ditto | Som Berthiot 2.8/50 mm |
Traduction de C. Akgungor.
In 1956, Royer announced this camera as Royer 35. On of its features put forward was the fact that it was possible to load this camera without taking it out of its case. The pictures we find in the old catalogs show this camera with a Royer 35 tag instead of Savoy.
Meanwhile, the biggest Chinese torture of 1956 was probably to try to load this camera with a film. Actually, only the rectangular plate on the bottom of the lens can be separated from the body, leaving a ridiculously small aperture for placing the film inside. This shutter/lens/plate group can be removed in order to be used on an enlarger. But Royer had to modify quickly the design error due to the dissatisfied customers. This first model is replaced by a second with an opening back, while preserving the removable plate group.
The viewfinder of this first Savoy is small, although the announce was talking about a 'Big optical viewfinder'
When launched first, the camera's price was 20.960 FF.
Interesting links or bibliography :
 Le Photographe de 1956 |
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