Difference between revisions of "Aquamatic"
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− | The '''Aquamatic''' and '''Aquamatic II''' are underwater cameras for [[126 film]] cartridges, made by the French company [[Spirotechnique]]. The company had already made the 35 mm [[Calypso]], which is substantially metal-bodied. The Aquamatics are made mostly from moulded plastics. | + | 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> |
− | = | + | 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. |
− | + | ||
− | + | 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/> | |
− | + | ||
+ | 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> | ||
+ | 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/> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==Notes== | ||
+ | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Underwater]] | [[Category:Underwater]] | ||
[[Category:A]] | [[Category:A]] |
Revision as of 12:43, 13 June 2015
Spirotechnique 1a Aquamatic image by Gerard Vogels (Image rights) |
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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Aquamatic at Sylvain Halgand's Collection Appareils.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Aquamatic II at Collection Appareils.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Formaplex Aquamatic II at Collection Appareils.
- ↑ Black Formaplex camera with two sets of focusing lenses, at Collection Appareils.