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Alsaphot Le Maine Is |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from (Circa) 1960 to (After) 1960.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 1432
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Alsaphot
Alsaphot, alongside complex cameras, released several series of simple camera intended for "Sunday photographers." One of these series is called Le Maine, named after the brand's location in Angers.
They are sturdy 24 x 26 cameras, lacking inventiveness but well-built. They feature a quick-wind lever, which has an unpleasant feel due to its serrated end. Rewinding is done using a wheel located on the top cover. There is an accessory shoe without electrical contacts. On the front of the top cover, there is a plastic piece that incorporates either a single viewfinder window or two collimated viewfinder windows.
The lower part of the body remains the same across models, while the shutter release lever differs depending on the model. The back, secured by two latches, can be completely removed.
Le Maine competed with the Savoy II, Focasport II, and Babysem cameras. It shares the same lens as the Savoy II but has a lower quality lens compared to the Focasport II. However, its shutter is less impressive as it doesn't reach 1/300 and lacks slow speeds. Its shutter release is quite rudimentary and likely prone to shaking during use. Additionally, the Focasport II has a rangefinder, giving it an undeniable advantage. The Babysem was its only real competitor on paper, as their characteristics were very similar.
In an effort to improve the camera, Alsaphot quickly equipped it with a collimated viewfinder. The camera was then renamed Le Maine IIc. This evolution seems to be more common than the original version, based on what I have observed at flea markets and garage sales.
Le Maine Is is a variant of the Le Maine. The only visible difference is the replacement of the shutter release lever, which is entirely metallic on the Le Maine, with a lever ending in a plastic piece.
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