Changes: Kodak Signet 30

Latest revision as of 17:29, 11 June 2008

Images

Pictures courtesy of Justin Ribeiro

The Kodak Signet 30 was the third model in the Kodak Signet line, introduced (along with the Signet 50) in August of 1957. These two models are nearly identical, the main difference being that the Signet 30 lacks the selenium photocell exposure meter of the Signet 50.

The Signet 30 is a viewfinder camera, it does not have a built in rangefinder. The excellent viewfinder has a brightline for the 44mm lens and the word "WIND" is prominently displayed when the film needs to be advanced. The advance lever is fitted to the base of the camera; the automatic frame counter and rewind switch are located on the camera's bottom right front. The shutter release is on the right front and a threaded cable release socket is located on the lens barrel. The shutter will not fire unless film is loaded into the camera. The body is made from bakelite, with metal inserts, fittings, and attached plates.

Like many of Kodak's better lenses of this period, The Signet 30's Ektanar lens is somewhat radioactive.

In production from August 1957 to April 1959, the camera originally sold for a list price of $55.00 USD^[1] (app. $415 USD in 2007).

Details of Kodak Signet 30 Camera[]

The following information is taken directly from the original camera manual.

Lens: Kodak Ektanar, 44mm f/2.8, Lumenized (reportedly a 4 element lens with front element focusing)
Lens Openings: f/2.8 to f/22
Shutter: Kodak Synchro 250 - Automatically cocked when film is advanced. Double-Exposure prevention.
Speeds: 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, and B
Film: 35mm Body Release: Right front of camera
Flash: Built-in synchronization, use No. 5 or 25, and M-2 bulbs to 1/30 second. Electronic flash (X-synchronized) at all shutter speeds
Exposure value numbers: 5 to 17
Focusing Range: 2 1/2 feet to infinity.
Viewfinder: Optical, projected viewframe type.
Construction: Single stroke lever film advance, easy drum-type loading, automatic exposure counter, and exposure cards.

References[]

↑ History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com

Links[]

PDF Manual on Mike Butkus' site
History of Kodak Cameras at Kodak's website

[1] History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com

[1]

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+<p>''Pictures courtesy of Justin Ribeiro''</p>
 </div>
-The camera is a rangefinder, but does not have a built in split image rangefinder.  In addition to the viewfinder having 44mm lines, the viewfinder will also tell diplay the word "WIND" when the film needs to be advanced.  The camera does not come with a built in exposure meter.  The shutter will not fire unless film is loaded into the camera. Originally made between 1957-1959 the camera sold for a list price of $55.00 USD.
+The '''Kodak Signet 30''' was the third model in the Kodak Signet line, introduced (along with the [[Kodak Signet 50|'''Signet 50''']]) in August of 1957. These two models are nearly identical, the main difference being that the Signet 30 lacks the [[Selenium meter|selenium photocell]] exposure meter of the Signet 50.
+The Signet 30 is a [[viewfinder camera]], it does not have a built in [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]].  The excellent viewfinder has a brightline for the 44mm lens and the word "WIND" is prominently displayed when the film needs to be advanced.  The advance lever is fitted to the base of the camera; the automatic frame counter and rewind switch are located on the camera's bottom right front.  The shutter release is on the right front and a threaded cable release socket is located on the lens barrel. The shutter will not fire unless film is loaded into the camera. The body is made from [[bakelite]], with metal inserts, fittings, and attached plates.
+Like many of Kodak's better lenses of this period, The Signet 30's Ektanar lens is somewhat [[radioactive]].
+In production from August 1957 to April 1959, the camera originally sold for a list price of $55.00 USD<ref>History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com</ref> (app. $415 USD in 2007).
 == Details of Kodak Signet 30 Camera ==
 The following information is taken directly from the original camera manual.
-'''Lens:''' Kodak Ektanar, 44mm f/2.8, Lumenized<br />
+'''Lens:''' Kodak Ektanar, 44mm f/2.8, Lumenized  (reportedly a 4 element lens with front element focusing)<br />
 '''Lens Openings:''' f/2.8 to f/22<br />
 '''Shutter:''' Kodak Synchro 250 - Automatically cocked when film is advanced. Double-Exposure prevention.<br />
 '''Speeds:''' 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, and B<br />
+'''Film:'''  [[35mm]]
 '''Body Release:''' Right front of camera<br />
-'''Flash:''' Built-in synchronization, use No. 5 or 25, and M-2 bulbs to 1/30 second.  Electonic flash (X-syncronized) at all shutter speeds<br />
+'''Flash:''' Built-in [[flash sync|synchronization]], use No. 5 or 25, and M-2 bulbs to 1/30 second.  Electronic flash (X-synchronized) at all shutter speeds<br />
-'''Exposure value numbers:''' 5 to 17<br />
+'''[[Exposure value]] numbers:''' 5 to 17<br />
 '''Focusing Range:''' 2 1/2 feet to infinity.<br />
 '''Viewfinder:''' Optical, projected viewframe type.<br />
-'''Construction:''' Single stroke lever film advance, easy drum-type loading, exposure counter, and exposure cards.<br />
+'''Construction:''' Single stroke lever film advance, easy drum-type loading, automatic exposure counter, and exposure cards.<br />
+==References==
+<references />
 == Links ==
-* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_signet_30/kodak_signet_30.htm PDF Manual]
+* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_signet_30/kodak_signet_30.htm PDF Manual] on Mike Butkus' site
+* [http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/aa13/aa13.pdf History of Kodak Cameras at Kodak's website]
 [[Category:Kodak]]
+[[Category: K]]
+[[Category: S|Signet 30]]