Difference between revisions of "Kodak Bantam"

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(bit of a re-organization, this primarily about the strut-folders)
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/3726592468/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2597/3726592468_1bca796175.jpg
||The '''[[Kodak]] Bantam''' is a [[folding camera]] using Kodak's [[828 film]] format (35mm film with only 1 perforation per image). It was a very compact camera, designed by the famous [[Walter Dorwin Teague]]. The basic model had a 1:12.5 Doublet lens and a single speed shutter. It appeared in 1935, together with another model that had a 1:6.3 lens and a rigid finder. Most Bantams were strut folders, but the F.8 model of 1938 had a rectangular pull-out lens tube instead. The luxurious [[Kodak Bantam Special|Bantam Special]] was launched in 1936, and some other models appeared in 1938. Optical replacement finders were available for the models with rigid or metal frame finder. The Flash Bantam appeared in 1947. The [[Kodak Bantam RF|Bantam RF]] of [[Arthur H Crapsey]] was added in 1953, not as new folder but as compact rigid body model for the advanced fan of the 28×40mm frame format. Other simpler rigid body viewfinder cameras followed, the [[Kodak Bantam Colorsnap|Bantam Colorsnap]] series.
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|image_text= Bantam f/6.3 with folding viewfinder
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|image_by= Rick Soloway
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|image_rights= with permission
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/3425602138/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3425602138_e4c0df50c7.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Design sketch by Walter Dorwin Teague
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|image_by= Rick Soloway
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|image_rights= with permission
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Because [[35mm film]] originated as a stock for movie cameras, a large fraction of its width is taken up with sprocket holes—not a requirement in a stills camera. Thus, [[Kodak|Eastman Kodak]] introduced an alternative "miniature" format, [[828 film]], consisting of paper-backed rolls 35mm wide, but having only one registration hole per image. This permitted an image area of 28×40 mm, increasing the image area nearly 30% compared to standard 35mm.
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With this film, Kodak introduced a series of Bantam [[folding camera]]s of very compact design. The styling was by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]], one of his many notable designs for the company. The original Bantam of 1935 came in two versions: The basic model had a 1:12.5 Doublet lens and a single speed shutter. The higher-spec option had a 1:6.3 lens and a rigid finder. The strut-folding Bantams went through several variations. After 1938, the lens boards acquired a metal trim border; and another Teague body design with angled, rather than curved ends appeared. The top models in the range were outfitted with f/4.5 Kodak Anastigmat Special lenses. Finally in the post-WWII-period the Bantam was updated as the '''Flash Bantam Camera''', adding [[flash sync]] to the shutter.
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Most Bantams were strut folders, but the [[Kodak Bantam F/8|Bantam F.8]] of 1938 had a rectangular pull-out lens tube instead. The luxurious [[Kodak Bantam Special|Bantam Special]] was launched in 1936, a top-quality [[rangefinder camera]] with "moderne" styling.The [[Kodak Bantam RF|Bantam RF]] designed by [[Arthur H Crapsey]] was added in 1953, not as new folder but as compact rigid body model for the advanced fan of the 28×40mm frame format.  
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[[Kodak Ltd.]] in the UK introduced the [[Kodak Bantam Colorsnap|Bantam Colorsnap]] series from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s—a quixotic bit of marketing which kept 828 alive for a few years longer, despite the increasing world domination of 135-format cameras.
  
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{{br}}
 
  
==other models==
 
The images above show the basic model. Here the other original model of that vintage year, and later models:
 
 
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{|class="plainlinks"
 
|alight=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/1418514976/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/1418514976_3ac5df0e8b_m.jpg]<br/>with rigid finder and f6.3 [[Anastigmat]] (1935)
 
|alight=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/1418514976/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/1418514976_3ac5df0e8b_m.jpg]<br/>with rigid finder and f6.3 [[Anastigmat]] (1935)
 
|align=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/wscullin/1400908872/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1329/1400908872_0a254f980f.jpg]<br/>Kodak [[Kodak Bantam Special|Bantam Special]] of 1936
 
  
 
|align=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/n6nkn/154234717/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/154234717_8069912437_m.jpg]<br/>Kodak Flash Bantam of 1947
 
|align=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/n6nkn/154234717/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/154234717_8069912437_m.jpg]<br/>Kodak Flash Bantam of 1947
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|colspan=2 align=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/captkodak/271872436/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/271872436_d6b4530da2.jpg]<br/>Bantam 4.5 of 1938 and Flash Bantam of 1947
 
|colspan=2 align=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/captkodak/271872436/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/96/271872436_d6b4530da2.jpg]<br/>Bantam 4.5 of 1938 and Flash Bantam of 1947
  
|align=center|[http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimogirona/1204928104/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1420/1204928104_2a655dd20d_m.jpg]<br/>rectangular bakelite tube of 1938's Bantam F.8
 
 
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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* [http://kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=209 Kodak 828 rollfilm cameras] at Michaël Koning's [http://kodak.3106.net/index.php Kodak Classics]
 
* [http://www.pbase.com/equipment/3258 Bantam pictures] at [http://www.pbase.com/ pbase.com]
 
* [http://www.pbase.com/equipment/3258 Bantam pictures] at [http://www.pbase.com/ pbase.com]
 
* [http://www.google.com/patents?id=PTBrAAAAEBAJ&dq=camera+inassignee:kodak&as_drrb_ap=b&as_minm_ap=2&as_miny_ap=1936&as_maxm_ap=9&as_maxy_ap=1936&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is= Design Patent - first Bakelite model] by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]]
 
* [http://www.google.com/patents?id=PTBrAAAAEBAJ&dq=camera+inassignee:kodak&as_drrb_ap=b&as_minm_ap=2&as_miny_ap=1936&as_maxm_ap=9&as_maxy_ap=1936&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is= Design Patent - first Bakelite model] by [[Walter Dorwin Teague]]

Revision as of 22:20, 30 April 2011

Because 35mm film originated as a stock for movie cameras, a large fraction of its width is taken up with sprocket holes—not a requirement in a stills camera. Thus, Eastman Kodak introduced an alternative "miniature" format, 828 film, consisting of paper-backed rolls 35mm wide, but having only one registration hole per image. This permitted an image area of 28×40 mm, increasing the image area nearly 30% compared to standard 35mm.

With this film, Kodak introduced a series of Bantam folding cameras of very compact design. The styling was by Walter Dorwin Teague, one of his many notable designs for the company. The original Bantam of 1935 came in two versions: The basic model had a 1:12.5 Doublet lens and a single speed shutter. The higher-spec option had a 1:6.3 lens and a rigid finder. The strut-folding Bantams went through several variations. After 1938, the lens boards acquired a metal trim border; and another Teague body design with angled, rather than curved ends appeared. The top models in the range were outfitted with f/4.5 Kodak Anastigmat Special lenses. Finally in the post-WWII-period the Bantam was updated as the Flash Bantam Camera, adding flash sync to the shutter.

Most Bantams were strut folders, but the Bantam F.8 of 1938 had a rectangular pull-out lens tube instead. The luxurious Bantam Special was launched in 1936, a top-quality rangefinder camera with "moderne" styling.The Bantam RF designed by Arthur H Crapsey was added in 1953, not as new folder but as compact rigid body model for the advanced fan of the 28×40mm frame format.

Kodak Ltd. in the UK introduced the Bantam Colorsnap series from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s—a quixotic bit of marketing which kept 828 alive for a few years longer, despite the increasing world domination of 135-format cameras.


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