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RevueFlex SM302



Reviews
Posted by Bengt Köhler Sandberg 2013-11-21

RevueFlex SM302

I'm not a 100% but I think this is a rebraded camera of the Vivitar 450/SLD which looks nearly identical and has the same features.
And I have also written a review about the
Vivitar 450/SLD.

Technical info

Lens mount: M42
Shutter: 1/1000s to 1s + B (bulb)
Light meter: Through the lens, center weighted or spot (ISO 25 - 3200)
Battery: One 1.5v SR44 (Only for the light meter)
Flash: Flash hot shoe + PC sync connection (sync 1/125 sec)
Weight: 720g

Self-timer
Mirror goes up first when the self-timer is used

Takes standard 135 film
24×36 mm negative size.

Operating
RevueFlex SM302


Viewfinder:

Okey size and a little bit on the dark side when it comes to brightness.
The ground glass micropris are on this quite rough meaning that every prism are quite big and this can sometimes be a little hard to read out in lower light.
Taking my time with a non moving object and I have not had any problem getting the focus right but it has taken longer then usual and a moving subject would not make this easier.

Info:
Right side have the match needle for the light meter.

Focus aid:
Microprism


Shutter type:

Focal plane
Vertical metal blade.
All mechanical.


Build quality:

All metal and it's good and solid!

Look, feel and sound:
Simple but I quite like the look.
It has a very nice solid and quality feel to it.
Buttons and dials also feel nice.
Sounds are quite typical from a mechanical camera like this and it quite noisy.





Conclusion:

A cameras that almost has everything i'm looking for in the hunt for the perfect m42 SLR.
- Is has a all mechanical and very reliable metal shutter.
- Takes today's standard battery.
- Looks and feels awesome.
- Good light meter plus a spot metering option is always welcome.
This is not as small spot as a modern SLRs but still way smaller than the standard center weighted.

Also like how you operate the stop down light metering.
Half pressing the shutter button will stops down the lens and is kept stopped down until you either take a exposure or you can press a button on the bottom side of the lens.
This works very well and there is a very distinct difference between pressing the shutter all the way so you don't take a exposure by mistake.
You must however kock the shutter before you can do this.

But one the downside is the viewfinder.
I don't mind a not that big or bright viewfinder as long as it's easy to use and finding focus.
And it's finding focus which can be a little tricky in low light.

It is also a bit one the heavy side so all that metal and sturdiness have a little downside.
But 720g is not a beast to carry around so I don't have a problem with that.



Thumbs up:
Great build quality and feel

Very reliable
All mechanical

Thumbs down:

Viewfinder (bit dark but mostly the focus aid)


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