Memox
The Memox is a compact viewfinder camera, first developed by the French company SIAP and later by Alsaphot. It uses 35mm film, first in 24×24 format and later in 24×36. The film runs from one spool to the other, with no provision for film rewind. It is said that it was developed from a film winder called the Boby-Mag.[1] There is a tubular finder at the right end of the top plate, and the advance knob is at the opposite end. The exposure counter is in the middle of the top plate, with a button probably used to unlock film advance. There is no double exposure prevention and the shutter winding is not coupled to the advance. There is a round nameplate in front of the body, near the bottom.
The first 24×24 version by SIAP is all black, with crackled painting. It is equipped with a front-cell focusing Saphir 35/3.5 lens by Boyer, mounted on an Atos-I shutter giving B, 10–150 speeds. The nameplate is chromed and engraved 24 MEMOX 24.[2] It seems to be this version that is shown in advertisements by the distributor J. Labarre, offered for FF12,000 with no mention of the maker.[3] One of these advertisements mentions a shutter to 1/125.
The 24×24 version by Alsaphot has chrome top and bottom plates and the body is leatherette covered. The finder looks better made and there is an accessory shoe behind the exposure counter. The advance knob sports the ALSAPHOT logo (at least on some examples). The nameplate is chromed and engraved MEMOX 3.[4] Various lens and shutter options seem to exist.
The 24×36 version is similar except for the format. .It can be distinguished by the viewfinder. The advance knob is larger, has no logo and exists in at least two variations, with one or two knurled rows. The nameplate is black and engraved 24 MEMOX 36.[5]
Notes
- ↑ According to the SIAP Memo page in the Fex-Indo website (web archive dated Oct 12, 2004).
- ↑ Example pictured in Vial, p. 87.
- ↑ Advertisements visible in the Alsaphot webiste by Jacques Labarre, an homonym of the distributor, and in the D'Assas Norlin page of Sylvain Halgand's website.
- ↑ Example pictured in Vial, p. 87.
- ↑ Example pictured in Vial, p. 87, and examples pictured in the Alsaphot page at ClicClac (Jacques Charrat's collection).
Bibliography
- Vial, Bernard. Histoire des appareils français. Période 1940–1960. Paris: Maeght Éditeur, 1980, re-impressed in 1991. ISBN 2-86941-156-1. P. 87.
Links
General links
- A Memox 24×36 and another one in the Alsaphot page at ClicClac (Jacques Charrat's collection)
- SIAP Memo page in the Fex-Indo website (web archive dated Oct 12, 2004)
Documentation only
- The Alsaphot page at Photoptic shows advertisements for the Memox.
- The D'Assas Norlin page and the Ajax IIIS page of Sylvain Halgand's website shows an advertisement listing the Memox.
- The Alsaphot webiste by Jacques Labarre shows advertisements for the Memox.
