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Cil Cilmatic 300 CR
France Version française
Photos by Jean-François Weber text by Jean-François Weber. From the collection of Jean-François Weber. Last update 2023-08-30 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from (Circa) 1970 to (After) 1970.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 3914

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Cil 

CIBA was a Swiss chemical company. Founded in the late 19th century, it gradually expanded, gaining recognition for its pharmaceutical products, dyes, and more. CIBA Photo emerged in 1960 through the merger of Lumière and Telko. CIBA also acquired a stake in Ilford UK. In the 1950s, Swiss company Telco marketed color photographic products under the name Telcolor. Lumière had been known since the late 19th century for its Gelatin-Bromide plates, followed by Autochromes. Since 1952, Ilford had been offering color prints from slides through the SDB process.

In 1958, Ciba developed Cibachrome, an exceptionally high-quality color process that allowed creating paper prints directly from slides without using negatives. The Cibachrome Print was introduced during the 1963 Photokina. In 1991, Cibachrome became Ilfochrome, before fading away during the 2010s.

Ciba Photo never manufactured cameras but distributed cameras under the CIL brand that were made by third parties. The name CIL consists of the initials of Ciba, Ilford, and Lumière. The Lumière name occasionally appeared on some models (likely intended for the French market), leveraging the brand's historical reputation. Most cameras originated from Germany, primarily Dacora models, but a few later models came from Hong Kong (Haking).

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The Cilmatic 300 CC and 300 CR appear to be the latest variations of the Cilmatic series in the 135 format. They are easily recognizable as Dacora 35 CL and 35 L cameras due to the shape of the shutter release button. Despite exclusively featuring Isco lenses, they were sold at a high price point. The 300 CC has a coupled light meter, while the 300 CR does not.

Cil Cilmatic 300 CR



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There have been two main series of models under the CIL brand: the Cilfomat and the Cilmatic.

  Size Meter Timer Lens Shutter Rangefinder Flash From Price (french francs)
1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973
CILFOMAT
300 S 135 No Yes Color Isconar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 300   Hot-Shoe Dacora     258 191 Yes  
300 SL 135 Uncoupled Yes Color Isconar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 300   Hot-Shoe Dacora     347 263 Yes  
300 SL1 135 Uncoupled Yes Color Isconar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 300   Hot-Shoe Dacora     347 263 Yes  
CILMATIC
Electric 300 135 Uncoupled   Color Isconar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 300 Yes Hot-Shoe + Flashcube Dacora 330 313 233      
Electric 300 S 135 Coupled Yes Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 300-E No Hot-Shoe + Flashcube Dacora 367 347 388 320 Yes  
Electric 300 S 135 Coupled Yes Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 300-L No Hot-Shoe + Flashcube Dacora     315      
Electric 500 135 Coupled ? Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 500 S-E Yes Hot-Shoe + Flashcube Dacora 457 432        
Electric 500 S 135 Coupled   Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 500 S Yes Hot-Shoe + Flashcube Dacora            
Electric 500 S 135 Coupled   Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
Prontor 500 S-E Yes Hot-Shoe + Flashcube Dacora     584 Yes Yes  
Electronic 300 CC 135 Coupled   Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
    Hot-Shoe Dacora         Yes 469
Electronic 300 CR 135 Coupled   Rodenstock
Color TriNo-Lanthar
2,8/45 mm
  Yes Hot-Shoe Dacora         Yes  
300 CR 135 Uncoupled   Color Isconar
2,8/42 mm
    Hot-Shoe Dacora            
300 CC 135 Coupled   Color Isconar
2,8/42 mm
  Yes Hot-Shoe Dacora           469
Electronic 126 Coupled CdS   6,3/40 mm Prontor 300 electronic   Flashcube Dacora            
Ideal 126 Fake   Color-Subitar Achromat f/8 2   No Flashcube Dacora 66 84 62 Yes    
Ideal3 126 Fake   Color-Subitar Achromat f/8 2   No Flashcube Dacora            
Super 126 Fake   Color-Dignar
3,9/40 mm
  No Flashcube Dacora 99 124 93 Yes    
Elite 126 Coupled   Color-Dignar
3,9/40 mm
  No Flashcube Dacora 174 220 163 Yes    
X 126 No       No Flashcube Haking            

 

1: Different cell window
2: two elements lens
3: Distinct markings

 





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