Mécila
Mécila was the brand of a handful of cameras and also accessories designed by Paul Lachaize of Lyon, France, in the 1950s and 60s. Lachaize himself lived and worked in Tassin-la-Demi-Lune, a suburban area west of the centre of Lyon. Cameras and other products were made by Jean Berlier in Cours Tolstoï, Villeurbanne, east of the city centre. Berlier's name appears on, for example, aluminium spool-cases with the Mécila brand, and it seems likely he was a partner in the company.[1] Other items carry only the Tassin address.[1] The later Mécilux was advertised by both 'Mécifrance - S.I.M.A.P.' and by 'MECIMAP'; it seems likely that the latter reflects a merger or joint venture between 'Mécifrance' and SIMAP. Mécifrance was presumably a later name of Mécila.
The MECIMAP factory was destroyed by fire in 1961.[2]
Cameras
- Perfo 608, about 1955: rangefinder camera for medium-format or 35mm film in long rolls, based on the Mécila Mag 150 magazine.
- Mécilux, 1950s: 35mm viewfinder camera, with a built-in gas-discharge flash which collapses into the camera when not in use.
- Microfilm camera, 1950s.[3]
Flash and other accessories
Jacques Charrat's Click-Clack Collection shows several flash units, including a large gas-discharge Electraflash unit with a power pack, and several smaller battery-powered units. One of these, marked MECIFLASH is shown in an example branded 'Meci France' and one branded by Tiranty. There is also a camera-clamp with a ball-and-socket head.[1]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mécila accessories in the [Click-Clack Collection of Jacques Charrat, including:
* an aluminium spool-case, the lid press-formed to include Jean Berlier's name and the Mecila brand
* a battery-powered flash unit bearing only the name of Lachaize and the address 25 Chemin de la Raude, Tassin.
* two examples of a battery-powered flash marked MECIFLASH, one with a badge reading MECI France and the other TIRANTY SPÉCIALITÉS.
* a flashgun with reusable coiled gas-discharge tube and power-pack, apparently named Electraflash.
* a camera-clamp with ball head. - ↑ Post by Jacques Charrat appealing for information about the fire, at Guichet du Savoir ('Enquiry desk').
- ↑ Cameras including the Mécila microfilm camera, at Click-Clack Collection.
