Difference between revisions of "Kodak Super Six-20"
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| − | The '''Kodak Super Six-20''' is accepted as being the first camera with automatic exposure, introduced by [[Kodak]] in 1938. Exposure was controlled by a mechanical linkage from a [[selenium meter|selenium light meter]] to the aperture control. Pressing the shutter release first locked the meter needle, and moved a lever controlling the aperture up to the needle, before firing the shutter. | + | The '''Kodak Super Six-20''' is accepted as being the first camera with automatic exposure, introduced by [[Kodak]] in 1938. |
| + | |||
| + | == Description == | ||
| + | Exposure was controlled by a mechanical linkage from a [[selenium meter|selenium light meter]] to the aperture control. Pressing the shutter release first locked the meter needle, and moved a lever controlling the aperture up to the needle, before firing the shutter. | ||
Adjusting the speed control moved a cover over the photocell<sup>[3]</sup>. | Adjusting the speed control moved a cover over the photocell<sup>[3]</sup>. | ||
| − | The design was by [[Joe Mihalyi|Joseph Mihalyi]] and styled by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]]. This incorporated crank [[film advance|winding]] and a [[coupled rangefinder]]<sup>[2]</sup>. | + | The folding clam-shell design was by [[Joe Mihalyi|Joseph Mihalyi]] and styled by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]]. This incorporated crank [[film advance|winding]] and a [[coupled rangefinder]]<sup>[2]</sup>. |
The Super Six-20 was not a great success due to its high price - $225<sup>[1]</sup>, much more than a contemporary [[Leica]] - and a reputation for unreliability. Kodak employees had nicknamed it "the boomerang" for its regular returns for service<sup>[2]</sup>. | The Super Six-20 was not a great success due to its high price - $225<sup>[1]</sup>, much more than a contemporary [[Leica]] - and a reputation for unreliability. Kodak employees had nicknamed it "the boomerang" for its regular returns for service<sup>[2]</sup>. | ||
It was withdrawn in 1944; production estimates vary between 714 and 725 being made; 719 is the most common guess. | It was withdrawn in 1944; production estimates vary between 714 and 725 being made; 719 is the most common guess. | ||
| − | + | {{br}} | |
== Specification == | == Specification == | ||
* Manufacturer: [[Kodak]] | * Manufacturer: [[Kodak]] | ||
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* Introduced: August 1938<sup>[2]</sup> | * Introduced: August 1938<sup>[2]</sup> | ||
* Withdrawn: August 1944 | * Withdrawn: August 1944 | ||
| − | * Lens: Kodak Anastigmat Special f/3.5 | + | * Lens: Kodak Anastigmat Special 100mm f/3.5, focus 4ft-infinity |
* Shutter: [[Compur]], speeds to 1/200; [[shutter priority]] auto from 1/25-1/200, slower speeds available manually | * Shutter: [[Compur]], speeds to 1/200; [[shutter priority]] auto from 1/25-1/200, slower speeds available manually | ||
* Film: [[120 film#620_film|620]], frame size 2¼ x 3¼ inches, 6x9cm | * Film: [[120 film#620_film|620]], frame size 2¼ x 3¼ inches, 6x9cm | ||
| − | |||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* [1] [http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13pg2.shtml Kodak's History of Kodak Cameras] | * [1] [http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13pg2.shtml Kodak's History of Kodak Cameras] | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | * [http://www.geh.org/fm/mees/htmlsrc/mE13000623_ful.html#topofimage Super Six-20 on | + | * [http://www.geh.org/fm/mees/htmlsrc/mE13000623_ful.html#topofimage Super Six-20 on George Eastman House site] |
* [http://www.phsc.ca/Show_Tell_2001/Text_Files/Bill_Kantymir.html Bill Kantymir's Super Six-20 story] | * [http://www.phsc.ca/Show_Tell_2001/Text_Files/Bill_Kantymir.html Bill Kantymir's Super Six-20 story] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Postscript == | ||
| + | A auto-exposure patent pre-dates the release of this camera; | ||
| + | [http://www.google.com/patents?id=CnA_AAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=2058562#PPA26,M1 US Patent 2,058,562 ] was granted in 1935 to Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein! This covers a different, possibly impractical system using neutral-density filters to control light. In spite of the commercial failure of the Super Six-20, the "trap-needle" ("EE") system of auto-exposure eventually became popular from the late 1950s, until it was replaced by electronic systems in the 1970s. | ||
| + | |||
[[Category: K]] | [[Category: K]] | ||
Revision as of 01:27, 7 May 2008
|
| Kodak Super Six-20 |
The Kodak Super Six-20 is accepted as being the first camera with automatic exposure, introduced by Kodak in 1938.
Description
Exposure was controlled by a mechanical linkage from a selenium light meter to the aperture control. Pressing the shutter release first locked the meter needle, and moved a lever controlling the aperture up to the needle, before firing the shutter. Adjusting the speed control moved a cover over the photocell[3].
The folding clam-shell design was by Joseph Mihalyi and styled by Walter Dorwin Teague. This incorporated crank winding and a coupled rangefinder[2].
The Super Six-20 was not a great success due to its high price - $225[1], much more than a contemporary Leica - and a reputation for unreliability. Kodak employees had nicknamed it "the boomerang" for its regular returns for service[2].
It was withdrawn in 1944; production estimates vary between 714 and 725 being made; 719 is the most common guess.
Specification
- Manufacturer: Kodak
- Country of Origin: USA
- Introduced: August 1938[2]
- Withdrawn: August 1944
- Lens: Kodak Anastigmat Special 100mm f/3.5, focus 4ft-infinity
- Shutter: Compur, speeds to 1/200; shutter priority auto from 1/25-1/200, slower speeds available manually
- Film: 620, frame size 2¼ x 3¼ inches, 6x9cm
Sources
- [1] Kodak's History of Kodak Cameras
- [2] Coe, Brian, Kodak Cameras, the First Hundred Years, Hove Foto Books, 1988
- [3] Coe, Brian, Cameras, from Daguerreotypes to Instant Pictures, p223, Nordbok, 1978
Links
Postscript
A auto-exposure patent pre-dates the release of this camera; US Patent 2,058,562 was granted in 1935 to Gustav Bucky and Albert Einstein! This covers a different, possibly impractical system using neutral-density filters to control light. In spite of the commercial failure of the Super Six-20, the "trap-needle" ("EE") system of auto-exposure eventually became popular from the late 1950s, until it was replaced by electronic systems in the 1970s.
