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Kodak K24 |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in USA from 1944 to (After) 1944.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 4330
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Kodak
This aerial photographic camera is a World War II military equipment ordered by the US Air Force to the Eastman Kodak Company. A label present on the camera allows to date it in 1944. It has a size of 5 X 5 inches (12.6 x 12.6 cm). It was used in reconnaissance and surveillance aircrafts and bombers.
This camera could be used by hand which was not easy considering its considerable weight. In this case, the camera was equipped with a viewfinder and a handle.
It could also, as exemplary shown here, be mounted on a special cradle. thanks to its 24-volt electric motor manufactured by General Motors (motor that can be seen in the photos), it was remote controlled.
The lens is a Kodak Aero Ektar F = 2.5, 178 mm. It is particularly impressive. The manufacture of each of these lens was very complex and expensive. It would, they say, cost the price of a car of the time for each lens.
The optical design of this lens is composed of 7 elements in four groups (type Biotar). This camera could receive several kinds of Aero Ektar lenses according to the missions to be carried out (153 mm, 307 mm). The barrel which protects the lens is made of wood.
The backs containing the flexible films are removable. Each back could be loaded with a sufficient amount of film to make 125 shots. The tank that allowed the processing of such films is to match the size and weight of this camera: monstrous.
After the war, this kind of unit had a second life in the civilian world. Specialized photographers have purchased such equipment and some are still used today. Other photographers are acquiring this camera to retrieve the lens to be installed on medium format instruments with focus setting system by rail because this lens has no focusing ramp because it is set to infinity.
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