Difference between revisions of "Eastman M.B."

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
m (cat: spy)
(added picture from the pool)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
The '''Eastman M.B.''' matchbox camera, also known as the '''Camera 'X'''', is a spy camera made by [[Kodak]] at the end of World War II, for use by the Secret Service.<REF name="Pritchard 140"> Pritchard, p.140. </REF> It is said that the official name was "Eastman M.B." (with M.B. standing for <u>m</u>atch<u>b</u>ox),<REF name="Pritchard 140" /> but the name "Camera 'X'" is also found on original accessories.<REF> An Eastman M.B. was sold as [http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=3780258 lot no.251] of the October 20, 1994 sale by Christies with a box marked ''Auxilliary Supply Kit for Camera 'X''' on the lid. </REF>
 
The '''Eastman M.B.''' matchbox camera, also known as the '''Camera 'X'''', is a spy camera made by [[Kodak]] at the end of World War II, for use by the Secret Service.<REF name="Pritchard 140"> Pritchard, p.140. </REF> It is said that the official name was "Eastman M.B." (with M.B. standing for <u>m</u>atch<u>b</u>ox),<REF name="Pritchard 140" /> but the name "Camera 'X'" is also found on original accessories.<REF> An Eastman M.B. was sold as [http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=3780258 lot no.251] of the October 20, 1994 sale by Christies with a box marked ''Auxilliary Supply Kit for Camera 'X''' on the lid. </REF>
 +
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/5102403177/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1121/5102403177_347d358fbf.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Eastman M.B. Picture by Mrchuck1. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
  
 
The camera takes up to 34 exposures ½×½″ in size on a 2ft strip of 16mm film.<REF> Number of exposures, film stock: Pritchard, p.140. Exposure size: {{MK}}, p.509. </REF> The internals are made of [[bakelite]], and are slid inside a metal outer casing.<REF name="Pritchard 140" /> The film is advanced by a wheel slightly protruding on the camera's smaller side, with touch marks allowing use of the camera without looking at it.<REF> Touch marks are visible in the pictures at the bottom of [http://www.submin.com/16mm/collection/kodak/index.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF> There is a button on the same side, certainly to trip the shutter, and a small lever at the other end, perhaps switching from <u>B</u>ulb to <u>I</u>nstant exposures.
 
The camera takes up to 34 exposures ½×½″ in size on a 2ft strip of 16mm film.<REF> Number of exposures, film stock: Pritchard, p.140. Exposure size: {{MK}}, p.509. </REF> The internals are made of [[bakelite]], and are slid inside a metal outer casing.<REF name="Pritchard 140" /> The film is advanced by a wheel slightly protruding on the camera's smaller side, with touch marks allowing use of the camera without looking at it.<REF> Touch marks are visible in the pictures at the bottom of [http://www.submin.com/16mm/collection/kodak/index.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF> There is a button on the same side, certainly to trip the shutter, and a small lever at the other end, perhaps switching from <u>B</u>ulb to <u>I</u>nstant exposures.

Revision as of 21:45, 10 December 2010

The Eastman M.B. matchbox camera, also known as the Camera 'X', is a spy camera made by Kodak at the end of World War II, for use by the Secret Service.[1] It is said that the official name was "Eastman M.B." (with M.B. standing for matchbox),[1] but the name "Camera 'X'" is also found on original accessories.[2]

5102403177_347d358fbf.jpg
Eastman M.B. Picture by Mrchuck1. (Image rights)

The camera takes up to 34 exposures ½×½″ in size on a 2ft strip of 16mm film.[3] The internals are made of bakelite, and are slid inside a metal outer casing.[1] The film is advanced by a wheel slightly protruding on the camera's smaller side, with touch marks allowing use of the camera without looking at it.[4] There is a button on the same side, certainly to trip the shutter, and a small lever at the other end, perhaps switching from Bulb to Instant exposures.

The Tessar 25mm f/5 fixed-focus lens is on the front side, and has two aperture settings: full or f/8.[1] The shutter has Bulb or instant settings.[1] These are certainly operated by the small levers visible on the side opposite the release button and advance wheel.

Some of the cameras, but not all, have a serial number.[5] It is said that a first batch of 500 were produced, sometimes called "Model 1", loaded with plain rollfilm and having three touch marks on the advance wheel, then a second batch of 500, the "Model 2", loaded with spooled film and having only two marks.[6]

A processing kit and a development stand were made specifically for the camera.[7]

It seems that a Japanese copy was made during World War II, see Japanese matchbox camera.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Pritchard, p.140.
  2. ↑ An Eastman M.B. was sold as lot no.251 of the October 20, 1994 sale by Christies with a box marked Auxilliary Supply Kit for Camera 'X' on the lid.
  3. ↑ Number of exposures, film stock: Pritchard, p.140. Exposure size: McKeown, p.509.
  4. ↑ Touch marks are visible in the pictures at the bottom of this page at Submin.com.
  5. ↑ Compare the cameras sold by Christies linked at the bottom.
  6. ↑ This page at Submin.com.
  7. ↑ This page at the George Eastman House.

Bibliography

  • McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.509.
  • Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. P.140.

Links

In English:

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Eastman_M.B.&oldid=15929"