1947 / SEM KIM 1 / Vintage Camera

The SEM KIM 1 is a compact 35mm film camera made by the French company Société des Établissements Modernes de Mécanique (SEM), designed with a cast aluminum body painted to resemble leather, first produced in 1947 though available earlier during WWII as the “Reyna II” by Cornu of Paris. It features a triple-element lens with front-element focusing, a self-tensioning shutter with speeds from 1/25 to 1/200 seconds plus bulb mode, and lacks some advanced features such as a self-timer or flash connection. The camera has a unique film advance mechanism involving a button to release the film and a film advance wheel, a double exposure lock not coupled with the shutter, a Newton viewfinder, a frame counter, and includes a tripod socket at the bottom. Its back is not hinged and opens by pulling a small shifter, and it comes with a vintage-style leather case that adds to its classic appeal.