I believe the right category for this camera would be the “35mm compact”, for it is both. And quite a decent camera, I may add. Purchased it during a business travel to Germany, some 20+ yrs ago. Quite a long time to have it in my collection, and every time I was dusting the shelves, I half-decided to get rid of it. Somehow, it escaped being sold or gifted, and I am glad that I still have it. Memories, eh?
Made in the early 70s by a company named King, in W. Germany. Apparently, a lot of these cameras were inscribed Revue, in order to be sold by Foto Quelle. It was also put on the market with other brands engraved on them, such as Picca, Rotor or Regula (or any combinations thereof). For instance, it appears that this particular camera is a clone of the Regula Picca C model.
The glass is Color-Isconar 40mm/1.2, which appears to be coated. The shutter is a Rectormat 500, with speeds from 1.30 to 1/500. The B (bulb) speed is done by inserting a release cable into the small port near the release button, seen on the top plate. Focusing is by distance setting via icons visible on the second dial around the lens, in feet and meters as well. Focusing is aided also by the figures corresponding to the respective distance.
It does have a light meter, which is selenium, uncoupled. It is of the needle type, very similar in appearance to the meter on Retinette 1B, if you know that one. Depending on the available light, the needle moves left or right, one just have to make certain the needle rests in the middle.
Top and bottom plates are metal, resembling titanium in colour and appearance. Of course it is not, but the metal finish is extremely well made, does not scratch. On the whole, the plastic used is of good quality and feels sturdy. Especially the leatherette-effect of the plastic is really nicely made. A flash shoe and rewind crank are on the top shelf too, with the frame counter a bit awkwardly put, right above the film winder arm. Nothing wrong with this, but I am not used to this feature in this place on a camera.
Just to mention that the light meter is still very responsive, which is good news. Usually, these selenium meters are dead after so long a time, but this one survived very well. Mind you, it lived in a black box for the last 20 yrs.
