Is this Revueflex AC-1 really the perfect screwmount camera? Some people think so. This is is the German branded (and no, I'm not going to talk about Mr. H today) Chinon CE3 sold as I recall by FotoQuelle. It was also branded as other cameras including an Alpa model. Why would anyone say it might be the perfect screwmount camera? Well, it is smaller and slightly lighter than the notable CE-II Memotron (which has been known to fracture breastbones of people who broke into a jog while carrying it around their neck), it has one of the most sophisticated metering designs ever incorporated into a screwmount camera, it uses common and easily obtainable batteries, the AC-1 model used the split-dot focus screen (whereas the CE3 may or may not have had this), it allows you to choose film speeds up to 3200, the camera has a built-in viewfinder blind, it works in auto or manual mode, and it has a nice large and brighter than most viewfinder. The meter works logically in either manual or auto mode and is the needle/shutter speed type. The shutter is metal leaf (Copal) and there is a tiny green led to let you know you're in Auto mode on the side of the viewfinder. The main benefit is this camera allows you to use any auto-aperture screwmount lens in an open aperture mode. That's right. In auto mode, you simply choose your aperture, focus with the lens wide open and press the shutter release. In the split second between the time you've released the shutter, the camera reads the exposure and adjusts the stepless shutter correctly using pixie dust and magic and smoke from banana cigarettes and then fires the shutter at that speed.
So what can I tell you about this one? It has been used well. I bought from a friend in Finland many years ago. He lost the motor drive cover and fashioned a piece of black tape to cover it. I never found a motor drive nor a cover, so I left it there. It has brassing on the edges (and pretty much everywhere else), there is a little ding on the top of the pentaprism or two, and there are scratches, chips, etc scattered everywhere. As I said, it has been used. The focus screen is clean. The meter seems to still be fine. There is a little device my Finn friend engineered in the battery compartment. Evidently this model had a swing-away contact which broke soon after the warranty expired. He used an odd looking piece of metal to solve this, and it works fine. Not a problem...how often do you change batteries, anyway? This one has the Chinon Tomiok 55mm / 1.4 lens...which I always considered to be a decent one, particularly open or stopped down to about 2. Glass is good...minor mark or two, but very smooth action. The camera will be re-sealed for the new owner after it sells and before it is mailed. Everything still seems to still be working fine. And I will tell you I have taken some excellent pictures using this camera.
$30 plus the actual cost of shipping. I'll send it anywhere. If questions, please send them to jon_goodman@yahoo.com
PayPal ok for international buyers, Check/Cash/Money Order for buyers in the USA, please.
Jon
So what can I tell you about this one? It has been used well. I bought from a friend in Finland many years ago. He lost the motor drive cover and fashioned a piece of black tape to cover it. I never found a motor drive nor a cover, so I left it there. It has brassing on the edges (and pretty much everywhere else), there is a little ding on the top of the pentaprism or two, and there are scratches, chips, etc scattered everywhere. As I said, it has been used. The focus screen is clean. The meter seems to still be fine. There is a little device my Finn friend engineered in the battery compartment. Evidently this model had a swing-away contact which broke soon after the warranty expired. He used an odd looking piece of metal to solve this, and it works fine. Not a problem...how often do you change batteries, anyway? This one has the Chinon Tomiok 55mm / 1.4 lens...which I always considered to be a decent one, particularly open or stopped down to about 2. Glass is good...minor mark or two, but very smooth action. The camera will be re-sealed for the new owner after it sells and before it is mailed. Everything still seems to still be working fine. And I will tell you I have taken some excellent pictures using this camera.
$30 plus the actual cost of shipping. I'll send it anywhere. If questions, please send them to jon_goodman@yahoo.com
PayPal ok for international buyers, Check/Cash/Money Order for buyers in the USA, please.
Jon