Lumiere Ely (Eljy) Club - Good Condition | Masterpiece of French Subminiature Engineering

The Lumiere Ely (commonly known as the Eljy Club) is a remarkable piece of post-war French design, produced by Lumière & Cie in Lyon. As the final evolution of the groundbreaking Eljy series, the Club model is celebrated for its incredibly compact "large format subminiature" philosophy—offering a negative size comparable to 35mm film in a body half the size of contemporary cameras. It features the sharp Lumiere Lypar 40mm f/3.5 lens, housed in a high-quality retractable chrome barrel. With its elegant Art Deco curves and integrated optical viewfinder, the Ely Club is not only a functional high-performance subminiature but a significant collector's item that represents the peak of French optical craftsmanship.

Key Features

• High-quality Lypar 40mm f/3.5 anastigmat lens for sharp, high-contrast images

• Retractable lens barrel design for ultimate pocketability when not in use

• Precision Atos shutter providing a full range of manual speeds up to 1/300s

• Elegant all-metal construction with chrome accents and refined French styling

• Unique "LUMIERE" extinction meter integrated into the viewfinder for exposure assistance

• Capable of 24x36mm exposures on specialized 30mm wide roll-film

Technical Specifications

• Camera Type: Subminiature Camera

• Film Format: 30mm Lumiere Roll-film (specialized)

• Lens: Lumiere Lypar 40mm f/3.5

• Shutter Speeds: 1s to 1/300s + Bulb

• Category: Cameras ▸ Digital Compact Camera

• Battery Type: No Battery Required (Fully Mechanical)

Specialist Note "The Lumiere Ely Club is the 'haute couture' of the subminiature world. While most small cameras of the 1950s felt like toys, the Lumiere was built with the same precision as a Leica. The Lypar 40mm lens is surprisingly capable, especially for street photography where its diminutive size makes it almost invisible to subjects. What truly sets the Club model apart is the extinction meter—it’s a fascinating purely optical way to calculate exposure without any electronics. It’s a tactile, mechanical marvel that reminds us why the Lumière brothers are such legends in the history of image-making."

Condition Report Good condition. The camera body shows normal signs of light use and minor cosmetic surface wear consistent with its vintage age. The Lypar 40mm lens is clear, free from fungus or significant haze. The retractable barrel locks securely in the shooting position. The shutter has been tested and fires accurately across the speed range. The integrated extinction meter is functional and clear.

What's Included

• Lumiere Ely Club Subminiature Camera

• Original Leather Ever-Ready Case