Difference between revisions of "Kodak Super Six-20"
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== Description == | == 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. | 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< | + | Adjusting the speed control moved a cover over more or less of the photocell<ref>Coe, Brian, ''Cameras, from Daguerreotypes to Instant Pictures'', p223, Nordbok, 1978</ref>. |
| − | 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]]< | + | 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]]<ref name="CoeK">Coe, Brian, ''Kodak Cameras, the First Hundred Years'', Hove Foto Books, 1988</ref>. |
| − | The Super Six-20 was not a great success due to its high price - $225 USD< | + | The Super Six-20 was not a great success due to its high price - $225 USD<ref>[http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13pg2.shtml Kodak's History of Kodak Cameras]</ref> (app. $3,200 USD in 2007), much more than a contemporary [[Leica]] - and a reputation for unreliability. Kodak employees had nicknamed it "the boomerang" for its regular returns for service<ref name="CoeK" />. |
It was withdrawn in 1944; production estimates vary between 714 and 725 being made; 719 is the most common guess. | It was withdrawn in 1944; production estimates vary between 714 and 725 being made; 719 is the most common guess. | ||
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* Manufacturer: [[Kodak]] | * Manufacturer: [[Kodak]] | ||
* Country of Origin: USA | * Country of Origin: USA | ||
| − | * Introduced: August 1938< | + | * Introduced: August 1938<ref name="CoeK" /> |
* Withdrawn: August 1944 | * Withdrawn: August 1944 | ||
* Lens: Kodak Anastigmat Special 100mm f/3.5, focus 4ft-infinity | * Lens: Kodak Anastigmat Special 100mm f/3.5, focus 4ft-infinity | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
| − | + | <references /> | |
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 01:22, 28 August 2008
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| 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 more or less of the photocell[1].
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 USD[3] (app. $3,200 USD in 2007), 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, 8 speeds up 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
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" (Electric-Eye, "EE") system of auto-exposure eventually became popular from the late 1950s, until it was replaced by electronic systems in the 1970s.
