Manufactured or assembled in France from 1952 to 1952.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 13589

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Chronology of cameras Alsaphot 

In 1949, Lucien Dodin filed a patent for a camera in a rigid camera where, to reduce size, two successive reflections are used to fold the light beam passing through the lens by 180 degrees. The focal point is no longer on a photosensitive surface in front and behind the lens but rather placed in the front of the camera and next to the lens. The patent was published on November 14, 1951.

The patent would be applied to a camera by the brand Alsaphot, which would be named Cyclope. Its career would be short, limiting its developments. Apparently, three models would succeed each other.

The first model was released in 1952. Its shutter had a maximum speed of 1/175th of a second. It was not synchronized but had a self-timer. The subsequent models would reach 1/200th and 1/250th of a second. Four visible screws held the rectangular plate under the lens. Inside, the film pressure plate was hinged and attached to the film spool holder. Later on, it would be attached to the camera body. It was equipped with a Prontor II shutter and a Boyer Saphir 105mm f/4.5 lens.

The second model had the same lens, but the shutter was a faster Prontor II. It was synchronized and equipped with a self-timer. The mounting screws were hidden.

The third model had a brighter Boyer Saphir lens with an aperture of f/3.5. The Prontor-SV shutter offered speeds from 1 to 1/250th, with flash synchronization and delayed action.

There were also other lens/shutter combinations, probably to sell off remaining stock, such as the Cyclope with a Topaz lens on a non-delayed Gitzo shutter.

The short lifespan of the Cyclope limited the developments of the camera, which can be summarized in two points:
The chrome plate engraved with the name CYCLOPE (solely decorative) was fixed with four visible screws on the first model, but they would be hidden under the covering on the subsequent models.
The film pressure plate was hinged and attached to the removable film spool holder for the first model but permanently fixed inside the camera body for the other models.

While the f/3.5 lens improves the aesthetics of the camera, it may not have the same optical performance, as below f/8, the mirror mounts intercept a portion of the light flux.

It is worth noting that in 1976, Kodak adopted a similar concept for its Colorburst range in the USA and the EK 4, EK 6, and EK 100 cameras.
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