Revueflex AC 2

Introduction: The Revueflex AC 2 at a Glance

The Revueflex AC 2 is a 35mm single-lens reflex that leans on automation. It lets you pick the aperture and then chooses the shutter speed for you. If you are exploring SLR film cameras, it is a good example of the electronic, aperture-priority approach, and the version we describe here comes with an XR Rikenon 50mm f/2 standard lens.

The manual states that the camera is intended for 35 mm (24 x 36 mm) film. A split-image rangefinder, a microprism ring and a ground glass area help with focusing, and the viewfinder shows the exposure the camera has selected.

With the exposure handled by the body, attention shifts to composition and timing, which is exactly where most people want it.

Design Roots and Historical Background

A retailer's own brand

Revue was the house brand of the German retailer Foto-Quelle. According to camera-wiki.org, the Revue and Revueflex cameras sold under that name were built by other manufacturers rather than by the retailer itself.

For a buyer today this means the AC 2 is best judged on its own merits and on its manual, which is available as a PDF download on this page.

Bayonet mount and adapter options

The AC 2 is equipped with a K-bayonet mount. The manual also explains that lenses with an M42 screw mount can be attached with the aid of an adapter. In that case the camera meters at working aperture instead of full aperture.

The normal lenses described in the handbook, the 50mm Revuenon 1.4 and 1.7 versions, focus down to about 0.45 m. The lens fitted to this example is an XR Rikenon 50mm f/2, a standard focal length that suits portraits and street scenes.

Key Technical Highlights

Exposure automation and metering

You set the aperture, and in the AUTO position the camera selects the shutter speed steplessly. The metering system is a full-aperture TTL design with center-weighting and silicon cells, and the automatic range runs from 8 s to 1/1000 s, depending on film speed and aperture. The viewfinder shows the chosen time with a red indicator.

Film speed is set on a DIN scale, and an exposure correction scale lets you shift the result: every dot represents one third of an aperture step, either under- or overexposure. A measured-value memory key is also provided.

Manual speeds, flash and focusing

If you prefer to set everything yourself, the AC 2 offers 13 fixed shutter speeds from 4 s to 1/1000 s, plus B. The 1/60 s setting is marked in red and is the speed for electronic flash. The accessory shoe has electronic flash contacts, and an indicator for the 1/60 s speed lights up in the viewfinder when a suitable flash is ready. The manual names the REVUEtronic BC 2 as the matching unit.

A stop-down button checks depth of field, a cable release connects at the shutter release, and the self-timer runs about 5 to 10 seconds with a blinking red LED.

• Film: 35 mm (24 x 36 mm).
• Mount: K-bayonet, M42 via adapter.
• Shutter: 13 fixed speeds plus B, stepless in AUTO.
• Power: three 1.5 V silver oxide batteries.
• Focusing aids: split-image rangefinder, microprism ring and ground glass.

Modern-Day Use in 2026

Where the Revueflex AC 2 excels

In 2026 the AC 2 is a comfortable way to shoot film without fiddling. Aperture priority is forgiving in changing light, and the correction scale helps when a bright sky or dark background fools the meter.

Use it for:

• Everyday walks and travel.
• Portraits and available-light scenes with the fast 50mm lens.
• Slow, deliberate film projects where each frame counts.

Practical shooting tips

• Set the film speed on the scale before every roll.
• Use the exposure correction scale for backlit scenes instead of trusting the meter blindly.
• Press the shutter button halfway to read the proposed time before you commit to the shot.

Buying and Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying used

Work through a short checklist, preferably with a bright light source nearby.

• Look at the light seals and mirror foam for stickiness or crumbling.
• Fire the shutter at several speeds and listen for hesitation, especially at the slow ones.
• Check that the meter responds and the viewfinder display changes when you vary the aperture.
• Inspect the battery compartment for corrosion or white deposits.
• Look through the lens for haze, fungus or dust.

Batteries and power

The AC 2 is powered by three 1.5 V silver oxide batteries. The manual recommends replacing the batteries once a year and removing them if the camera will not be used for a long time.

• Fit fresh silver oxide cells before you test the camera.
• Remove the batteries for longer storage to avoid leaks.
• Keep a spare set in your bag.

Basic care and accessories

A few simple photography accessories keep the camera in good shape:

• A padded camera bag to protect against bumps and dust.
• A lens cap and a clean microfiber cloth for the front element.
• A cable release.
• A compatible electronic flash if you plan to shoot indoors.

Conclusion: A Practical Automatic SLR

The Revueflex AC 2 offers a clear recipe: pick the aperture, let the meter choose the time, and step in manually whenever you want. With TTL metering, a bayonet mount and a stop-down button, it covers the basics of an SLR without complication.

Because it depends on batteries, a careful check of seals, shutter and electronics is part of the deal. Treated well, it makes a relaxed companion for film photography. For more background on a related body, see our Revueflex SC 2 article.

Ready to explore cameras like the Revueflex AC 2? Browse our analog cameras, discover more SLR film cameras, and pair them with quality photography accessories at DutchThrift.com.

Sources: the original Revueflex AC 2 instruction manual (PDF); Foto-Quelle on camera-wiki.org, text licensed under GFDL 1.3.