Difference between revisions of "Aquamatic"

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|image_text= Spirotechnique 1a Aquamatic
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The '''Aquamatic''' (and '''Aquamatic 1a''' and '''Aquamatic II''') are underwater cameras for 28 mm-square images on [[126 film]] cartridges, made by (or for) the French company [[Spirotechnique]].<ref name=CA1>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=10159 Aquamatic] at Sylvain Halgand's [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/carrousel/html/index_eng.php Collection Appareils].</ref><ref name=CA2>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=10160 Aquamatic II] at ''Collection Appareils''.</ref> The company had already made the 35 mm [[Calypso]], which is substantially metal-bodied. The Aquamatics are made mostly from moulded plastics. The cameras were designed by Jean-Louis Défuans, and at least the Aquamatic II was later sold under his [[Formaplex]] brand. The camera was guaranteed for use at up to 75 m.<ref name=CA3>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11709 Formaplex Aquamatic II] at ''Collection Appareils''.</ref>
  
==Links==
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The first model of the camera has a 35 mm f/8 lens,<ref name=CA1/> which underwater is effectively a 26.5 mm (because the lens' first curved surface is in contact with the water; in contrast, the Calypso has a flat glass protecting the front of the lens, so gives the same angle of view in and out of the water). The Aquamatic has aperture stops (fixed stops in a sliding metal strip) f/8, f/11, f/16 and f/22. It has shutter speeds 1/50 and 1/100 second. A close-up lens is attached on a short leash. It can use [[Magicube]] flash-cubes. It has a simple frame-finder.
*[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=10159 Aquamatic] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Sylvain Halgand's  www.collection-appareils.fr]
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The Aquamatic 1a (pictured here) and II have improved specifications.<ref name=CA2/> The sliding, captive transparent strip on the front allows one of two different close-up lenses, or neither, to be positioned in front (i.e. the camera now has three-zone focusing, at 2.5, 0.4 and 0.3 metre). The frame-finder has cross-pieces, and the aperture control is now a turning knob. The camera back is secured by partly-metal catches (whereas those on the first model are all-plastic).<ref name=CA1/>
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At least under the Formaplex brand, a back for 135 film was available; simply a different back piece to clamp to the camera body with the same catches as the 126 back. A second front strip, with an alternative set of focusing lenses, was available as an accessory.<ref name=CA4>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11710 Black Formaplex camera] with two sets of focusing lenses, at ''Collection Appareils''.</ref>
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A short description of the camera reproduced at ''Collection Appareils'' gives the dimensions of the camera, with the 135 back, as 140 x 128 x 108 mm, and its weight as 1080 g.<ref name=CA3/>
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==Notes==
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<references/>
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[[Category:Underwater]]
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[[Category:A]]

Revision as of 12:43, 13 June 2015

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The Aquamatic (and Aquamatic 1a and Aquamatic II) are underwater cameras for 28 mm-square images on 126 film cartridges, made by (or for) the French company Spirotechnique.[1][2] The company had already made the 35 mm Calypso, which is substantially metal-bodied. The Aquamatics are made mostly from moulded plastics. The cameras were designed by Jean-Louis Défuans, and at least the Aquamatic II was later sold under his Formaplex brand. The camera was guaranteed for use at up to 75 m.[3]

The first model of the camera has a 35 mm f/8 lens,[1] which underwater is effectively a 26.5 mm (because the lens' first curved surface is in contact with the water; in contrast, the Calypso has a flat glass protecting the front of the lens, so gives the same angle of view in and out of the water). The Aquamatic has aperture stops (fixed stops in a sliding metal strip) f/8, f/11, f/16 and f/22. It has shutter speeds 1/50 and 1/100 second. A close-up lens is attached on a short leash. It can use Magicube flash-cubes. It has a simple frame-finder.

The Aquamatic 1a (pictured here) and II have improved specifications.[2] The sliding, captive transparent strip on the front allows one of two different close-up lenses, or neither, to be positioned in front (i.e. the camera now has three-zone focusing, at 2.5, 0.4 and 0.3 metre). The frame-finder has cross-pieces, and the aperture control is now a turning knob. The camera back is secured by partly-metal catches (whereas those on the first model are all-plastic).[1]

At least under the Formaplex brand, a back for 135 film was available; simply a different back piece to clamp to the camera body with the same catches as the 126 back. A second front strip, with an alternative set of focusing lenses, was available as an accessory.[4] A short description of the camera reproduced at Collection Appareils gives the dimensions of the camera, with the 135 back, as 140 x 128 x 108 mm, and its weight as 1080 g.[3]


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Aquamatic at Sylvain Halgand's Collection Appareils.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Aquamatic II at Collection Appareils.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Formaplex Aquamatic II at Collection Appareils.
  4. Black Formaplex camera with two sets of focusing lenses, at Collection Appareils.