Whittaker Micro 16

The submini from Hollywood image by John Kratz (Image rights)

image by Vanessa Lynn (Image rights)

The Whittaker Micro 16 was a subminiature camera for 16mm film cartridges. It was sized like a deck of cards. It was made by Wm. R. Whittaker, Ltd. in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California starting in 1946. It had a built-in reflecting type viewfinder. An optional sports finder was available. Detectives liked that camera since it could be hidden in an empty cigarette wrapper. Thus it became a true detective camera since the company could sell hundreds to police stations and private detectives.

Specifications

• Type: subminiature viewfinder camera
• Manufacturer: Wm. R. Whittaker, Ltd. in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
• Year of launch: 1946
• Film: cartridges for double perforated 16mm film (24 exposures per cartridge)
• Lens: achromatic doublet f6.3 lens, focusing fixed
• Shutter: single speed
• Aperture: 1:11 (bright), 1:8 (dull), and 1:6.3 (color) selectable

Links

• Whittaker subminis at www.submin.com
• details of and images by a Whittaker Micro 16, by J. Jakobson