Difference between revisions of "Kodak Monitor"

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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/26092923@N02/2585137204/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/nojuanshome/5242790781/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2585137204_79325d645f.jpg
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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5006/5242790781_d73f3079a3.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
|image_text= Kodak Monitor 620 <br>by John Hufnagel
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|image_text= Kodak Monitor Six-20
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|image_by= John Gateley
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|image_rights= with permission
 
}}
 
}}
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The '''Kodak Monitors''' are robust [[folding]] roll film cameras manufactured by [[Eastman Kodak]] from 1939 to 1948.  They were available in two different models (both introduced in October of 1939), one using [[120_film#620_film|620 roll film]] and the other [[616 film|616 roll film]].  They were called the '''Monitor Six-20''' and the '''Monitor Six-16'''. With the exception of the very rare and fragile [[Kodak Super Six-20]], the Monitors are arguably the most sophisticated American Kodak folders of the 1930s and 1940s.  They are solid and very well crafted.
  
The '''Kodak Monitors''' were robust folding roll film cameras manufactured by [[Eastman Kodak]] from 1939 to 1948.  They were available in two different models (both introduced in October of 1939), one using 620 roll film and the other 616 roll filmThey were called the '''Monitor Six-20''' and the '''Monitor Six-16'''. With the exception of the very rare and fragile [[Kodak Super Six-20]], the Monitors are arguably the most sophisticated American Kodak folders of the 1930s and 1940s.  They are solid and very well crafted.
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The Monitor is a [[viewfinder camera]]; it lacks a [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]]The viewfinder is a surprisingly pleasant to use pop-up unit on the center of the cameras top plate. It has a [[parallax]] adjustment that can be varied from infinity  to 4 feet. Surprisingly, the cameras also have the older style waist level reflecting finder common on most older Kodak folding cameras.  
  
The Monitor is a viewfinder camera; it lacks a rangefinder. The viewfinder is a surprisingly pleasant to use pop-up unit on the center of the cameras top plate. It has a parallax adjustment that can be varied from infinity  to 4 feet. Surprisingly, the cameras also have the older style waist level reflecting finder common on most older Kodak folding cameras.  
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All Kodak Monitors feature automatic film spacing, double exposure prevention, and top-plate-mounted accessory shoes and shutter releases. A top-plate-mounted [[depth of field]] dial was present on the models featuring the Anastigmat Special lens. The all metal bodies are covered with embossed leather. [[Flash sync]]hronization was an option from 1946 on.  
  
All Kodak Monitors feature automatic film spacing, double exposure prevention, and top-plate-mounted accessory shoes and shutter releases. A top-plate-mounted depth of field dial was present on the models featuring the Anastigmat Special lens. The all metal bodies are covered with embossed leather. Flash synchronization was an option from 1946 on.  
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According to Kodak literature<ref name="huffy49">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120415011516/http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13.shtml History of Kodak Cameras] (archived) at www.kodak.com</ref>, the Monitor Six-16 originally sold for $48.50 USD and the Monitor Six-20 for $66.00 USD ($707 and $960 USD in 2007). Presumably, the Six-20 price was for the more expensive lens (the Anastigmat Special) as excepting the dimensional differences for the two film formats, the cameras are identical.
  
According to Kodak literature<ref name="huffy49">History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com</ref>, the Monitor Six-16 originally sold for $48.50 USD and the Monitor Six-20 for $66.00 USD ($707 and $960 USD in 2007).  Presumably, the Six-20 price was for the higher priced lens (the Anastigmat Special) as excepting the dimensional differences for the two film formats, the cameras are identical.
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The '''[[Kodak Vigilant]]''' series of cameras utilized the same basic body and folding mechanisms with completely manual film advance, a simplified top plate, and a much wider selection of lenses and shutters.
  
 
==Lenses==  
 
==Lenses==  
 
Each of the Monitor models came with a choice of lenses. All are in a front-element-focusing mount.
 
Each of the Monitor models came with a choice of lenses. All are in a front-element-focusing mount.
*Kodak Anastigmat f/4.5 f=103 or 105mm (Six-20) or 126mm (Six-16) - This is believed to be a four element Tessar type
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*Kodak Anastigmat f/4.5 f=103 or 105mm (Six-20) or 126mm (Six-16) - This is believed to be a four element [[Tessar]] type
 
*Kodak Anastigmat Special f/4.5 f=101mm (Six-20) or 127mm (Six-16) - This is a four element Tessar type  
 
*Kodak Anastigmat Special f/4.5 f=101mm (Six-20) or 127mm (Six-16) - This is a four element Tessar type  
  
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*Supermatic or Flash Supermatic (Anastigmat Special lens)
 
*Supermatic or Flash Supermatic (Anastigmat Special lens)
  
== References ==
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== Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
* [http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13.pdf History of Kodak Cameras at Kodak's website]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306023905/http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13.pdf History of Kodak Cameras at Kodak's website] (archived)
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_monitors/kodak_monitors.htm PDF Manual] on Mike Butkus' site
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_monitors/kodak_monitors.htm PDF Manual] on Mike Butkus' site
 
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=938 Kodak Monitor 620] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
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*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/5583034511/in/pool-camerawiki Kodak resumes advertising the Monitor Six-20] after WWI, June 1946 ''Popular Photography'' back cover, pg. 194
  
 
[[Category: 6x9 strut folding]]
 
[[Category: 6x9 strut folding]]
 
[[Category: 6x9 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: 6x9 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: USA]]
 
[[Category: USA]]
[[Category: Kodak]]
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[[Category: Kodak|Monitor]]
 
[[Category: 620 film]]
 
[[Category: 620 film]]
[[Category: K|Kodak Monitor Six-20]]  
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[[Category: M|Monitor]]
[[Category: K|Kodak Monitor Six-16]]
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[[Category:1939]]

Revision as of 05:20, 23 April 2018

The Kodak Monitors are robust folding roll film cameras manufactured by Eastman Kodak from 1939 to 1948. They were available in two different models (both introduced in October of 1939), one using 620 roll film and the other 616 roll film. They were called the Monitor Six-20 and the Monitor Six-16. With the exception of the very rare and fragile Kodak Super Six-20, the Monitors are arguably the most sophisticated American Kodak folders of the 1930s and 1940s. They are solid and very well crafted.

The Monitor is a viewfinder camera; it lacks a rangefinder. The viewfinder is a surprisingly pleasant to use pop-up unit on the center of the cameras top plate. It has a parallax adjustment that can be varied from infinity to 4 feet. Surprisingly, the cameras also have the older style waist level reflecting finder common on most older Kodak folding cameras.

All Kodak Monitors feature automatic film spacing, double exposure prevention, and top-plate-mounted accessory shoes and shutter releases. A top-plate-mounted depth of field dial was present on the models featuring the Anastigmat Special lens. The all metal bodies are covered with embossed leather. Flash synchronization was an option from 1946 on.

According to Kodak literature[1], the Monitor Six-16 originally sold for $48.50 USD and the Monitor Six-20 for $66.00 USD ($707 and $960 USD in 2007). Presumably, the Six-20 price was for the more expensive lens (the Anastigmat Special) as excepting the dimensional differences for the two film formats, the cameras are identical.

The Kodak Vigilant series of cameras utilized the same basic body and folding mechanisms with completely manual film advance, a simplified top plate, and a much wider selection of lenses and shutters.

Lenses

Each of the Monitor models came with a choice of lenses. All are in a front-element-focusing mount.

  • Kodak Anastigmat f/4.5 f=103 or 105mm (Six-20) or 126mm (Six-16) - This is believed to be a four element Tessar type
  • Kodak Anastigmat Special f/4.5 f=101mm (Six-20) or 127mm (Six-16) - This is a four element Tessar type

Shutter

  • Kodamatic or Flash Kodamatic (Anastigmat lens)
  • Supermatic or Flash Supermatic (Anastigmat Special lens)

Notes

  1. History of Kodak Cameras (archived) at www.kodak.com

Links