Made by Cosina and introduced in: 1975
Previously tested the RevueFlex SM302 which is more or less the same camera but not an exact copy.

Technical info

Lens mount: M42
Shutter: 1/1000s to 1s + B
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: 730g

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

Takes standard 135 film
24×36 mm negative size.



Viewfinder:

Okay size and fairly bright for a camera with this age.

It is the exact same viewfinder that the RevueFlex SM302 has but this is noticeably brighter.
Still has that quite rough microprism meaning that every prism are quite big.
This is not perfect but the better brightness do make it easier to read and I find this viewfinder to work quite well.
Should also add that this can be because my Vivitar has a later S/N then my RevueFlex and they might have used a better ground glass on later made cameras.

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 is quite noisy.




Usability:

A camera that is still a very usable one today.
Everything feel to be in its right place and it is logical how you operate it.
The light meter is sensitive and takes modern batteries.


Conclusion:

A step closer 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 good.
- Good light meter plus a spot metering option is always welcome.
This is not as small spot as a modern SLRs but still 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.

The viewfinder is quite good even if it's not the biggest but I would like to see a better focus aid system in it.
It is also a little on the heavy side but 730g is not that bad and this do add some to the nice quality feel.


Thumbs up:
Great build quality and feel
Reliable
All mechanical

Thumbs down:
Focus aid system