Amica Eyelux

Introduction: The Amica Eyelux at a Glance

The Amica Eyelux is a compact 35mm rangefinder with a built-in CdS light meter, and it is a fine example of the rangefinder cameras that put automatic exposure within reach of ordinary photographers. It was built by Taron for Amica International Corp. around 1966, and it pairs a fast fixed lens with a straightforward point-and-shoot approach.

You are never locked out of the controls: the meter can run the aperture for you, yet a manual override is there when you want to decide for yourself.

Shooting with a rangefinder of this type is slower and more deliberate than using a phone. You line up the two images in the finder, set the focus by hand, and press the shutter knowing that every frame counts.

Design Roots and Historical Background

A rangefinder with automation

The reference literature says the Eyelux was made by Taron for Amica International Corp. around 1966, and the year is approximate rather than exact. The manual describes it as offering point-and-shoot automation, with a warning signal for over- or underexposure.

The layout stays simple, yet the camera still carries an accessory shoe, a synchro flash terminal, a tripod mount and a cable release mount.

One camera, many names

The Eyelux was not sold under a single name only. It is reported to have appeared as the Boots Amica, Hanimex 35 Auto-EE CDS, Cavalier EE Auto 35, Porst SE18 and Taron Auto EE. Knowing those names helps when you search listings or look for a manual.

Key Technical Highlights

Lens and viewfinder

The fixed lens is an Amicor 1:1.8/45mm with four groups and six elements, and the manual describes it as hard-coated. An f/1.8 maximum aperture helps in dim rooms and allows shallow depth of field. The viewfinder is a coupled rangefinder with a bright frame, parallax compensation and an exposure indication for the aperture at the top of the finder. One reference source calls the viewfinder weak, so it is worth looking through it before you commit.

Shutter and exposure

The shutter is a Citizen MVE with ten speeds plus Bulb, running from 1 s to 1/500 s. It has full MX flash synchronization and a built-in self-timer. In automatic mode the CdS meter controls the aperture, and a warning signal tells you about over- or underexposure. You can override the automation by hand. The ASA ring on the lens barrel connects the meter to the film speed, so set it to match the film you load.

Film handling and controls

Film advance uses a lever with a 120 degree throw, with double-exposure prevention built in. The focusing ring carries both a feet and a metre scale.

• Fixed Amicor 45mm f/1.8 lens, four groups and six elements, hard-coated.
• Citizen MVE shutter, 1 s to 1/500 s plus Bulb, with a self-timer.
• CdS meter with automatic aperture control and manual override.
• Coupled rangefinder with parallax compensation.
• Accessory shoe, synchro flash terminal and tripod mount.

Modern-Day Use in 2026

Where the Eyelux excels

In 2026 the Eyelux suits people who want automatic exposure without giving up manual control. The f/1.8 lens helps in available light, and the rangefinder lets you focus precisely without a screen.

Use it for:

• Street and everyday photography in changing light.
• Travel snapshots with a compact camera on a strap.
• Indoor scenes in natural light.
• Learning how focus, aperture and shutter speed interact on film.

Practical shooting tips

• Set the ASA ring to the speed of the film you loaded before the first frame.
• Pay attention to the warning signal and adjust if the camera reports over- or underexposure.
• Use a tripod for slow speeds and Bulb exposures.
• Focus carefully when shooting wide open, because depth of field is thin at f/1.8.

Buying and Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying used

Use this checklist when you inspect one:

• Look through the viewfinder: the rangefinder patch should be visible and move as you turn the focusing ring.
• Fire the shutter at every speed, listen for consistent timing, and check that the self-timer runs.
• Inspect the lens for haze, fungus, scratches or dust inside.
• Open the back and check the light seals and the film chamber for crumbling foam or residue.
• Test the meter and the over- and underexposure warning with a battery in place, in both bright and dim light.

Tilt the lens under a bright light and look through it from both ends. Turn the focusing ring through its whole range and make sure nothing feels gritty.

Power and batteries

The camera has a mercury battery compartment on the side. The meter switches on when the shutter is cocked, so the battery should not drain while the shutter is not cocked. Check the compartment for corrosion, and ask which cell is used today, since a replacement cell may differ in voltage from the original and affect the meter.

• Remove the battery for long storage.
• Check the contacts for green or white deposits and clean them gently.
• Compare the meter with a handheld meter if you can.

Basic care and accessories

A few simple photography accessories will help keep an older camera in good shape:

• A padded case to protect the lens and body from bumps.
• A cable release for tripod work.
• A microfiber cloth and blower for the lens and viewfinder window.
• Fresh film suited to your light, with the ASA ring set to match.

Conclusion: Simple Automation, Fast Glass

The Amica Eyelux is a modest camera with a sensible feature set: a fast 45mm f/1.8 lens, a Citizen shutter with ten speeds plus Bulb, a coupled rangefinder and a CdS meter that can run the exposure for you.

If you want an approachable 35mm rangefinder for everyday film photography, a well-checked Eyelux is worth a look. Test the viewfinder, shutter and meter, and treat the battery carefully.

Ready to explore cameras like the Eyelux? Browse our rangefinder cameras and the wider range of analog cameras at DutchThrift.com.

Sources: the original Amica Eyelux instruction manual; Amica Eyelux on camera-wiki.org, text licensed under GFDL 1.3.