Kodak Signet 80
The Kodak Signet 80 is an interchangeable lens 35 mm rangefinder camera produced from 1958 to 1962 by Kodak in the USA. The body, largely constructed of die-cast metal and Bakelite, has a coincident coupled rangefinder combined with a very nice life-sized projected frame viewfinder. The camera has a synchronized behind the lens leaf shutter with speeds from 1/4 - 1/250 sec. plus bulb.
Data from the original user manual:
FILM
- FILM LOAD-Kodak 135, 20 or 36-exposure magazines
- NEGATIVE SIZE-24mm x 36mm
LENSES
- 50mm, f/2.8 Kodak Ektanar, Lumenized. Standard Lens. Removable as a complete unit to substitute wide-angle or telephoto lens. LENS OPENINGS-Marked in EVS - 5 to 17, as well as f/numbers - 2.8 to 22
- 35mm, f/2.8 Kodak Ektanar, Lumenized. Wide Angle Lens LENS OPENINGS-Marked in EVS - 5 to 17, as well as f/numbers - 2.8 to 22
- 90mm, f/4.0 Kodak Ektanar, Lumenized. Telephoto Lens LENS OPENINGS-Marked in EVS - 6 to 17, as well as f/numbers - 4.0 to 22
SHUTTER
- SPECIAL SHUTTER-set as film is advanced
- SPEEDS - 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and "B"
- RELEASE - Plunger-type-with cable release socket
- FLASH - Built-in synchronization for class F, M, and electronic flash
EXPOSURE METER
- Photoelectric, built-in. Reads reflected and incident light in EV numbers
VIEWING AND FOCUSING
- VIEWFINDER - Optical, projected viewframe-type, unit-power
- COUPLED RANGEFINDER - Superimposed image type, couples with all lenses- combined with viewfinder
- FOCUSING RANGE - infinity to 2 1/2 feet
FILM OPERATION
- Unique "injection" film-loading-with leader windoff. Rapid 2-stroke film advance
CONSTRUCTION
- BODY - Die-cast metal and tough molded material with abrasion-resisting Kododur covering
- TRIPOD SOCKET - In base of camera
ACCESSORIES
The Signet 80's 50mm and 80mm lenses contains thorium oxide, and are somewhat radioactive.
It originally sold for $130US, about $950US in 2007.
Links / Sources
Bibliography
Original documents
- Brian Coe, Kodak Cameras - The First Hundred Years, Hove Foto Books, 1988
- Original Kodak user manuals for the Signet 80
