BREAKING NEWSВетошь х/б par Daniel C | Présentation grégoire par Jacques Bratieres | Projecteur [kodak] senior 1 et 2 par Cédric KB | Déclencheur bloqué par Jacques Bratieres | Ica volta 146 par Piercarlo | [romain talbot] errtee. par Jose PP | Présentation véronique n par Eric Carlhan | [gitzo] tables de projection par didier rob |
Cil Cilmatic Electric 300 S
France Version française
Photos by JPHB text by JPHB. From the collection of JPHB. Last update 2024-06-14 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1968 to (Circa) 1972.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 11264

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).

__________

The Cilmatic Electric 300 S is the sibling of the Cilmatic Electric 300. The former lacks a rangefinder but has a coupled light meter. The latter has a rangefinder and an uncoupled CdS light meter. The lens of the 300 is an Isco, whereas the 300 S features a Rodenstock lens. The 300 S was sold at a higher price than the 300.

Both models are notable for being equipped with a flash shoe with a contact as well as a flash-cube mount.

The model exists in at least two variants, with the most notable difference being the shape of the light meter window. Most catalogs show a variant with a prominent rectangular window, similar to that of the Super-Dignette Electric SR. The model presented here, as well as in the 1970 Manufrance catalog, has a round window. This difference is also accompanied by a significant price gap and a change in the shutter model.

The lens is manufactured by Rodenstock. It is a Trinon Lanthan 2.8/45 mm. Its name suggests the use of lanthanum for the lens coating.

It is noteworthy that this example bears the inscription LUMIERE group Ciba Ilford. It is possible that this is an addition for the French market.

Cil Cilmatic Electric 300 S



__________

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  
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

 





Interesting links or bibliography :



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:

To know more
This camera in old catalogs

Cameras of the same brand 

Accessories of the same brand 

Lenses of the same brand 

Instruction manuals for Cil

Messages in the forum about the brand 

Your photos with the same camera 

Users opinion 

Records of purchase price 

Phot'Argus test 


Cameras from Ebay France (Cil) (Uploaded each 3 hours)