Difference between revisions of "Kodak Signet 40"

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|image_text= Kodak Signet 40
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The '''Kodak Signet 40''' is a 35 mm [[rangefinder camera]] produced from 1956 to 1959 by [[Kodak]] in the USA.  It was the second Kodak Signet model, introduced some 5 years after the first model, the '''[[Kodak Signet 35]]'''. It has a coated (Lumenized!) Kodak Ektanon f/3.5-f/22 F=46mm (or Ektanar 46mm/f3.5) lens, focusing to 2 feet, which accepts Series V accessories.  The manually-cocked shutter is a Kodak Synchro 400 unit, with speeds of 1/5 to 1/400th sec. plus bulb. The coupled coincident image [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder system]] is essentially that of the upscale '''Kodak Signet 35''', although the body is largely [[Bakelite]] with numerous metallic panels, inserts, and fittings.  The unit focusing mount uses ball bearings, again like the Signet 35. A [[depth of field]] scale surrounds the mount. Film advance is by a triple-stroke lever located on the upper right side of the camera's back.
  
The Kodak Signet 40 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera produced from 1956 to 1959.  It has a coated (Lumenized!) unit focusing Kodak Ektanon f/3.5 F=46mm lens mounted in a Kodak Synchro 400 shutter, with speeds of 1/5 to 1/400th sec. plus bulb. The rangefinder system is essentially that of the upscale [[Kodak Signet 35]], although the body is largely bakelite with numerous metallic panels, inserts, and fittingsThe focusing mount uses ball bearings, again like the Signet 35. The build quality is quite good; the Signet 40 is a substantially more robust camera then the model 30, 50, and 80 Signets.
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The shutter release is located on the right front of the camera; the top plate has (from the left) a very large rewind knob with exposure guide, a manually reset frame counter, and a film type reminder dial. The back latch is on the right side; on the left side are the Kodalite connectors for attaching a flash bulb holder. The shutter is [[flash sync|synced]] for both flashbulbs (m sync) and electronic flash (x sync). M sync connection is through the Kodalite connectionsX sync requires the use of an obscure adapter that screws into the center of the Kodalite fitting.
  
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The build quality is quite good; the Signet 40 is a substantially more robust camera than the later model [[Kodak Signet 30|'''30''']], [[Kodak Signet 50|'''50''']], and [[Kodak Signet 80|'''80''']] Signets.
  
An interesting fact is that the Signet 40's lens contains thorium oxide, and is in fact radioactive.
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An interesting fact is that the Signet 40's lens contains thorium oxide, and is in fact [[radioactive]].
  
It originally sold for $65.
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It originally sold for $65 USD<ref>History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com</ref>  (approximately $500 USD in 2007).
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49145734777_a57a982f8a_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Kodak Synchro 400 shutter
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
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|image_rights=  with permission
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49187419697_a23d92aa8b_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Kodak Ektanar 46mm f/3.5 lens
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
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|image_rights=  with permission
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49117682092_8e0efa0cf5_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Signet 40 Dealer Display Cards
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
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|image_rights=  with permission
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==Notes==
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<references />
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== Links / Sources ==
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_signet_40/kodak_signet_40.htm Signet 40 Manual] on [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Mike Butkus' site]
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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)
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*[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=1001 Signet 40] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
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[[Category: K]]
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[[Category: Kodak|Signet 40]]
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[[Category:S|Signet 40 Kodak]]
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[[Category: Bakelite]]
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[[Category: 35mm rangefinder]]
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[[Category:1956]]

Latest revision as of 05:37, 17 May 2022

The Kodak Signet 40 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera produced from 1956 to 1959 by Kodak in the USA. It was the second Kodak Signet model, introduced some 5 years after the first model, the Kodak Signet 35. It has a coated (Lumenized!) Kodak Ektanon f/3.5-f/22 F=46mm (or Ektanar 46mm/f3.5) lens, focusing to 2 feet, which accepts Series V accessories. The manually-cocked shutter is a Kodak Synchro 400 unit, with speeds of 1/5 to 1/400th sec. plus bulb. The coupled coincident image rangefinder system is essentially that of the upscale Kodak Signet 35, although the body is largely Bakelite with numerous metallic panels, inserts, and fittings. The unit focusing mount uses ball bearings, again like the Signet 35. A depth of field scale surrounds the mount. Film advance is by a triple-stroke lever located on the upper right side of the camera's back.

The shutter release is located on the right front of the camera; the top plate has (from the left) a very large rewind knob with exposure guide, a manually reset frame counter, and a film type reminder dial. The back latch is on the right side; on the left side are the Kodalite connectors for attaching a flash bulb holder. The shutter is synced for both flashbulbs (m sync) and electronic flash (x sync). M sync connection is through the Kodalite connections. X sync requires the use of an obscure adapter that screws into the center of the Kodalite fitting.

The build quality is quite good; the Signet 40 is a substantially more robust camera than the later model 30, 50, and 80 Signets.

An interesting fact is that the Signet 40's lens contains thorium oxide, and is in fact radioactive.

It originally sold for $65 USD[1] (approximately $500 USD in 2007).


Notes

  1. History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com

Links / Sources