Foca Universel
FOCA - 1949 - FRANCE (PARIS)
- Compact
- 35 mm
- Infrequent
At a time when the first 35mm single lens reflex were beginning to appear, the most renowned cameras were the Leicas, with their high quality mechanics and lenses.
But France had something to say with the appreciated Foca Universel.
In 1938, the French government had limited the importation of German cameras, pushing French scientist and aristocrat Armand de Gramont to initiate the design of a french 35 mm equivalent with the specific objective to compete with Leica. He had founded a precision optics company (OPL) in 1919 and started working on the Foca rangefinder design in 1938. The first compact cameras came out right after the war in 1945 and Foca cameras were produced in various versions until the mid 60s.
The Foca Universel is a beautifully built camera with a reputation of quality and stability. The name Foca comes from one of the main features of the camera, the focal-plane shutter.
Associated project shares
- 1 Share of the 99 Cameras Club project
Discover the club's camera collection.
99 Cameras Club for updates.
Read the term and conditions.
Note : This Collectible is not an official product from the represented camera manufacturer. It is a replica of an individual camera from the club's collection and holds no rights or relationships with its manufacturer. It should be regarded only as a token of patronage to the 99 Cameras Club.
FOCA - 1949 - FRANCE (PARIS)
- Compact
- 35 mm
- Infrequent
At a time when the first 35mm single lens reflex were beginning to appear, the most renowned cameras were the Leicas, with their high quality mechanics and lenses.
But France had something to say with the appreciated Foca Universel.
In 1938, the French government had limited the importation of German cameras, pushing French scientist and aristocrat Armand de Gramont to initiate the design of a french 35 mm equivalent with the specific objective to compete with Leica. He had founded a precision optics company (OPL) in 1919 and started working on the Foca rangefinder design in 1938. The first compact cameras came out right after the war in 1945 and Foca cameras were produced in various versions until the mid 60s.
The Foca Universel is a beautifully built camera with a reputation of quality and stability. The name Foca comes from one of the main features of the camera, the focal-plane shutter.
Associated project shares
- 1 Share of the 99 Cameras Club project
Discover the club's camera collection.
99 Cameras Club for updates.
Read the term and conditions.
Note : This Collectible is not an official product from the represented camera manufacturer. It is a replica of an individual camera from the club's collection and holds no rights or relationships with its manufacturer. It should be regarded only as a token of patronage to the 99 Cameras Club.
