Cornu Fama II |
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Manufactured or assembled in France from 1958 to 1961.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 6445
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Cornu
Around 1940, Cornu requested Aluvac to cast the bodies and backs of a small 24 x 36 camera in aluminum. These parts were marked as Aluvac 3439 and Aluvac 3440. These components were used for about two decades by two companies to produce numerous popular camera models.
The Société des Établissements Modernes de Mécanique Générale et de Décolletage Jean Cros was established in Saint-Étienne just before 1939 with state funding to support the war effort. Jean Cros had Aluvac mold rocket fins for him.
After the defeat, Jean Cros, forced to refocus his activities in the civilian sector, considered entering the camera manufacturing business. He reconnected with Paul Royet, who had been a "special assignment" employee in his factory until his demobilization, to offer him the position of Director of the photographic section, where everything had to be created from scratch.
In 1941, Jean Cros, the director of SEMM, obtained a license from Cornu to manufacture a camera in Saint-Étienne using these parts. Paul Royet, the future director of SEM, successfully carried out this project
In Saint-Étienne, the Reyna-Cross cameras were built using the original body, but for the Sem Kim, the front plate was reduced in thickness. To accommodate this change, Cornu decided to create a camera with interchangeable lenses, following the Leica standard in terms of thread and focal distance. However, in this case, each lens had its own shutter.
This design concept was also used for the Week-End and Week-End camera models.
The Fama camera would be exclusive to the Maillard company, and its distribution would be quite limited.
Similar to the Ontobloc II and III models, the viewfinder came with an attached cover. What set these models apart primarily was the viewfinder's ability to frame for one, two, three, or four different focal lengths using a set of sliding masks.
This specimen belongs to the first version of the Fama II. The main feature distinguishing the Fama II from the Fama is the presence of an internal shutter protecting the sensitive surface when changing lenses.
This camera (No. 685) is notable because it represents an attempt at improvement that ultimately failed. To change the lens without exposing the film, an internal septum must be installed from the outside. Cornu's solution was a small sliding shutter moving vertically, linked to an Archimedean screw operated by a front-mounted wheel. The screw has a quick pitch to minimize the time required for operation, but friction proved too significant, often causing the shutter to jam...
This variation is noted in an instruction manual (a double-sided A5 sheet), where the line mentioning it has been crossed out, suggesting its very brief existence.
![Cornu Fama II](../../cornu/images/Fama_685.jpg )
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