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The Semflex Joie de Vivre was launched in 1958 by the manufacturer SEM ( Société des Etablissements Modernes de Mécanique, the second M was left early).
This society, founded after the WWII, was based at Aurec, little town near Saint-Etienne in France, became one of the most important camera manufacturer in this country. It was the principal competitor for the Rolleiflex during thirty years (in France).
The Joie de Vivre was built for wealthy people, who don't understand anything to technical photography ( aperture, speed...) but want good pictures.
The particularity of the Joie de Vivre is which the symbols take the place of the apertures values, and only one speed: 1/50 second for the shutter.
Later on, a second version was realized, cheaper: whithout leather, with an other lens; but in 1959 it was too late for this simple 6x6.
"La Joie de Vivre" was not for this world...
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view lens: BERTHIOT. f: 75mm 1:2.8, coated |
taking lens: FLOR from BERTHIOT. f: 75mm 1: 3.5, coated |
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We can see the focusing button, the 2 sockets for the flash (magnesium only) and the 2 buttons axis. |
Here we can see the button for advansing the film and the big release shutter ( only one speed:1/50). |
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The Joie de vivre accept the rollfilm 120, there is no counter but the red window. |
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updated: Jun.21.2001 translation help by Yves Thierry |
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THE MEGASITE ON MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERAS HERE:
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Price of the Joie de Vivre: 650 FF (~90 $) in march 2000
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