Royer Savoya |
Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from (Before) 1958 to (After) 1961.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 620
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 memory of my father…
Corporal Halgand was 21 years old when he bought this camera. It was the Etablissements J&M Ricard, 32 rue Saint Albin at Montrouge, which sold it to him for 106 francs. "Fournisseurs des Foyers Militaires et des organismes Centraux de l'Armée", "Official contractors for the sale of radio and photography articles to soldiers", they were probably used to send this kind of items to Algeria, where a whole generation of young men wasted their time, and sometime their life. This dirty war that the name remains untold (even a long time after its end!) was going on in a fabulous country, calling you to take photographs. And when there are long periods between perms, a photograph is always more reassuring then long words for those who are related to each other. This camera served to bring closer (a little) my future father and mother.
In the following years, until the end of 80's, it is with this camera that we used to take pictures of parties, holidays, good moments and our centenary grand grandfather… so who cares about the techniques?
The lens is a Berthiot 3,5/50 mm. The shutter has 1/25 to 1/250 of a second.
Interesting links or bibliography :
Le Photographe de 1959 |
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 (Royer) (Uploaded each 3 hours)