Difference between revisions of "Eastman M.B."
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** Eastman M.B., [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4062955/?intObjectID=4062955 lot no.241] of the March 11, 2003 sale | ** Eastman M.B., [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4062955/?intObjectID=4062955 lot no.241] of the March 11, 2003 sale | ||
** Eastman M.B., [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4485133/?intObjectID=4485133 lot no.167] of the May 6, 2005 sale | ** Eastman M.B., [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4485133/?intObjectID=4485133 lot no.167] of the May 6, 2005 sale | ||
| − | ** Eastman M.B., [ | + | ** Eastman M.B., [https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-4556704/?intObjectID=4556704 lot no.148] of the September 6, 2005 sale |
* Past sales at Westlicht Photographica Auction (now [https://www.leitz-auction.com/auction/en/home Leitz Photographica Auction]): | * Past sales at Westlicht Photographica Auction (now [https://www.leitz-auction.com/auction/en/home Leitz Photographica Auction]): | ||
| − | ** [https:// | + | ** [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Matchbox-camera/AI-9-27018 Eastman M.B.] sold as lot no.733 of the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-9/ ninth auction] (May 20, 2006) |
| − | ** [https:// | + | ** [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Matchbox-camera/AI-13-16738 Eastman M.B.] sold as lot no.611 of the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-13/ thirteenth auction] (June 7, 2008) |
* Eastman M.B. (text only) among [http://www.subclub.org/shop/16mm.htm 16mm cameras] at [http://www.subclub.org/ Subclub.org] | * Eastman M.B. (text only) among [http://www.subclub.org/shop/16mm.htm 16mm cameras] at [http://www.subclub.org/ Subclub.org] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:45, 6 February 2024
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]
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| image by CIA Museum (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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Pritchard, p.140.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Number of exposures, film stock: Pritchard, p.140. Exposure size: McKeown, p.509.
- ↑ Touch marks are visible in the pictures at the bottom of this page at Submin.com.
- ↑ Compare the cameras sold by Christies linked at the bottom.
- ↑ This page at Submin.com.
- ↑ This page at the George Eastman House (archived).
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:
- Eastman M.B. at the George Eastman House (archived)
- Eastman M.B. at Submin.com
- Past sales at Christies:
- Eastman M.B., lot no.241 of the March 11, 2003 sale
- Eastman M.B., lot no.167 of the May 6, 2005 sale
- Eastman M.B., lot no.148 of the September 6, 2005 sale
- Past sales at Westlicht Photographica Auction (now Leitz Photographica Auction):
- Eastman M.B. sold as lot no.733 of the ninth auction (May 20, 2006)
- Eastman M.B. sold as lot no.611 of the thirteenth auction (June 7, 2008)
- Eastman M.B. (text only) among 16mm cameras at Subclub.org
