OPL Foca family list
OPL Foca PF1
OPL Foca PF2
OPL Foca Universel
OPL Focaflex

OPL Foca Universel

The FCA Universal is a rangefinder camera introduced after the PF2 and PF3, as a step-up model. There was no major difference between the cameras, just a slight gradual improvement.  There were five models:

• Foca Universel, 1948, rangefinder, knob winder, slow-speed dial, which is described on this page. Similar to the earlier PF3 but with a bayonet lens mount.
• Foca Universel R (UR), 1956, as the Universel, with a lever winder.
• Foca Universel RC (URC), 1961, Redesigned body, lever winder, with self-timer and large, bright viewer; only 2,000 made.
• Foca Universel R Marine Nationale, 1958, like the UR.
• Foca Universel RC, Marine Nationale, 1962, like the URC.

The Universel was based on the PF3, which had a threaded lens mount, whereas here it employed a proprietary bayonet mount. It has removed the hanging depth-of-field table and replaced it with a traditional scale around the lens base. Both cameras were offered at about the same time, with the Universel having a wider range of lenses, hence the name Universal. I assume it was targeted at higher-end professionals. The rangefinder was calibrated to 50mm, so other lenses required an accessory viewer or manual compensation.

OPL offered an extensive line of optional lenses for the Universel, with high hopes that this line would stand against the German models. In hindsight, it would have been practical to offer an LTM, 42mm, or Ihagee mount that would allow users to use the existing legacy lenses.  See Click-Clack or Yuya Hanai for more on lenses.

Good to know

• The camera is slightly smaller than the PF2 but about 20% heavier; perhaps it uses more steel than earlier models. The workmanship and finishes are on par with the beautiful PF2, both better than the PF1. The body and skin are flawless, as are all mechanical parts. For a 70-plus-year-old camera, it is outstanding.
• The speed selector and rewind have coarser pitch knurling, I would guess for use with cloves.
• The shutter cocking and film winding are controlled by the shutter speed selector.
• To change speed, lift the knob and set it to the desired speed.
• The viewer is tiny, not to say useless. The patch is clearly visible. The only model in this line with a usable viewfinder was the Universel URC, made 13 years later, in 1961.
• The shutter is as aggressive as on the earlier models, compared to the smooth Leica curtain shutter.
• To rewind, release the winder clutch by switching the lever at the top front from A to R.
• To use the slow speed dial, set the main speed dial to 25.
• The kit lens 2.8/50, retractable and removable. To retract, pull out, and lock in place by a slight turn to either side.
• Removing the lens is tricky. Press the button between the slow-speed dial and the lens, then turn the lens housing left until it pops out. To remount, align the red dot on the lens base with the one on the body, then push in and turn right to lock. The button is similar to the button on the PF 2 and 3 series, but there, it just keeps the focusing ring finger rest at an indefinite position. By the manual only, I could not figure out how to remove it, it took consulting with Sylvain Halgand’s page to make sense of it.
• The aperture dial here is better made than the same on the earlier series; it is an easy-to-use dial at the front end, with no risk of touching the lens as before.

For the collector, it is a splendid example of French industry at its best. As with all early Foca models, it is highly recommended. They do not come cheap, but they are well worth having. This camera is from a no-battery generation, meaning just feed a roll and you are ready to shoot.