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 (mostly) 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 in a unique Signet 80 lens mount. The Signet 80's 50mm and 80mm lenses contains thorium oxide, and are somewhat radioactive.
The Signet 80 was clearly targeted to the sophisticated customer. It originally sold for $130US, about $950US in 2007. For reference, this was about 75% of the cost of a Retina IIIC, the most comparable German Kodak camera. Unfortunately, quality of the Signet's construction was significantly lower than the Retinas; it was never a really successful product and production was terminated after just four years.
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. Uses Series 5 filters.
- 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. Uses Series 5 filters.
- 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. Uses Series 5 filters.
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 located on right top of camera.
- FLASH - Built-in synchronization for class F, M, and electronic flash. Flash receptacles on camera body accept Kodalite Super-M 40 Flasholder, Kodak Rotary Flasholder, Type 1, and Kodak Generator Flasholder, Type 1. Accessory shoe and PC socket for electronic and other flashes.
EXPOSURE METER
- Uncoupled Selenium Cell, built-in. Reads reflected and incident light in EV numbers. Film speeds from 10 to 1600 ASA.
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 right side of camera. Rewind crank on right bottom of camera.
CONSTRUCTION
- BODY - Die-cast metal and tough molded material with abrasion-resisting Kododur covering
- TRIPOD SOCKET - In base of camera
ACCESSORIES
- Kodak Signet Multi-Frame Finder
- Kodak Signet 80 Field Case
- Kodak Signet Microscope Adapter
Links / Sources
Bibliography
Original documents
- Brian Coe, Kodak Cameras - The First Hundred Years, Hove Foto Books, 1988
- Original Kodak user manual for the Signet 80
