Bantam Special

1936

Early Model

Eastman Kodak Co.

Rochester

USA

Lens:

f2, 45 mm Ektar Anastigmat, iris diaphragm to f16. Serial no. 20226 .

Shutter:

Compur Rapid, speeds 1 - 1/500, B, T.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

8, 28 mm x 40 mm exposures on 828 roll-film

Focusing:

Helical to 3 feet.

Attributes:

Coupled rangefinder, split image. Direct-vision (lens/lens) view-finder. Eye-sight correction to rangefinder window.
Auto-stop on film-advance, not coupled to shutter, separate button to release film-advance. First frame automatically located. Green window to check film number on backing paper.
Tripod socket covered by screw-in stud. Cable release socket covered by screw-in stud.

Serial Number:

21806 .

With:

Instructions for later model. Studs for tripod and cable-release sockets. Case.

In 1941 the lens was changed to a Kodak Ektar rather than Kodak Anastigmat Ektar and the shutter was changed to a Supermatic. Later lenses were coated on the inner surfaces.

As the lens is focused the rangefinder lens attached to the front standard moves laterally.

References & Notes:

BP 454134/1936. BP 454144/1936. BP 440353/1936 (Rangefinder). US patents - 2113307, 2054035, 2047257, 2043968, 2043926, 2039709, 2027333. These provide a complete description of the camera.

Further Information:

Lipinski p.156. Details of rangefinder.

Kodak Company Details

Early Photography