Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Notes related to specific cameras
Arnaud Saudax
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:15 pm

Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby Arnaud Saudax » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:28 pm

Hi, this camera was not a product from Cornu in Paris, but from SEM in Saint Etienne (France). SEM set for "Société des Etablissements Modernes de Mécanique."

diser
Site Admin
Posts: 1287
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: Denver, Colorado

Re: Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby diser » Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:43 am

Arnaud,
Thanks for the info! You are right, Cornu was not manufacturing these cameras during WWII. But according to some sources (McKeown's guide) SEM company didn't manufacture them either. This company was established in 1945-1946 in Aurec, France, and it was based on the Paul Royet's manufacturing process which actually was in St. Etienne (free zone) during WWII. Paul was the one to manufacture Reyne Cross III cameras under the license from Cornu. At the same time I'd agree with "SEM" as a manufacturer, basically because SEM company was derived from Royet.

diser
Site Admin
Posts: 1287
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: Denver, Colorado

Re: Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby diser » Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:14 am

Moved to SEM.

diser
Site Admin
Posts: 1287
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: Denver, Colorado

Re: Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby diser » Sun Jun 19, 2016 6:24 pm

Moved again, this time to Royet.

Daniel C
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2012 3:47 am

Re: Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby Daniel C » Tue Jun 21, 2016 12:30 am

Hi Diser,
Do you mean Royer with a R at the end ?
As far as I know, This model is usually considered as built by SEM.
in 1942, Cornu has subcontracted the assembly of the Reyna to Jean Cross at St Etienne in French non occupied zone.
The camera was then named "Reyna Cross".
In 1946 The manufacture in St Etienne changed his name to SEM

(Reference from the book "Histoire des appareils Français- Periode 1940-1960" by Bernard Vial)
Last edited by Daniel C on Tue Jun 21, 2016 6:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

Arnaud Saudax
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:15 pm

Re: Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby Arnaud Saudax » Tue Jun 21, 2016 1:14 am

Hi Diser,
you are wrong, so Mc Keown!
SEM (stand for "Société des établissements modernes de mécanique et de décolletage Jean Cros") was created by Mr Jean Cros in ~ 1938 - 1939 to make weapons and military devices. After France's capitulation in 1940, company needs to change production... Jean Cros creates a Cinématographic and Photographic department. He hires Mr Paul Royet as Technical Director to start production of Reyna in "free zone" from Cornu licence. (Cros meets Cornu near Paris, in Aluvac factory.)
Paul Royet makes the Reyna-Cross II and Reyna-Cross III in SEMM plants at Saint-Etienne.
The only product from Paul Royet itself is the patented shutter "Micromécanic" (Name of this first brand.) When Gitzo stops to produce shutters, Royet sold a lot of Micromécanic to SEMM company (for Reyna-Cross III), and some times after, he exchanges his patent and tools against 50% of SEMM shares...
Some times after, Jean Cros leaves the company and Paul Royet becomes chairman. (PDG)
After the war, SEMM moves to Aurec, and creates Orec shutter and Orenac camera, but also Sem-Kim and Baby-Sem, derivating from first Reyna...
Best regards

diser
Site Admin
Posts: 1287
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: Denver, Colorado

Re: Cornu: Reyna Cross III

Postby diser » Tue Jun 21, 2016 8:58 am

Thanks everyone, SEM it is! :)


Return to “Camera comments”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 57 guests