Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Keystone Navy Arial Camera

This is topic Keystone Navy Arial Camera in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-29-2002, 05:00 PM:

I was having dinner with my (soon to be) Father-in-Law and we got to discussing cameras and film and such.

He told me that he has a pretty neat camera collection that includes a Speed Graphic 4 X 5, and 8 X 10 studio camera and this arial camera, called:

Keystone Navy Arial Camera -- WWII vintage.
ƒ4.5 X 15" lens.

He says it takes film that measures 7 inches wide and comes in 28 foot rolls. It's been used to take some pretty wonderful pictures around this area but he would like to know if film is still available for this animal.

I told him that if anybody in the world knew the answer that they'd be found right here. [Big Grin]

So... Does anybody know if film can be had for it?

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 11-30-2002, 02:24 PM:

In the summer of 1993, I was able to get in on a tour of the photo reconnaissance facilities at Beale AFB in Marysville, CA. At the time that wing was still flying the TR-2 or U-2 spy planes (the SR-71 having been retired at that point).

Obviously I didn't take measurements, but the photo images they showed us were on huge rolls of reversal film, probably the same dimensions Randy speaks of. The cameras were mounted in the belly of the aircraft and did sideways slit scanning (focal plane shutters) to record the images. BTW though the facility was 'restricted access', the images we saw were not classified--they were aerial survey damage assessment photos of San Francisco, taken after the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989.

The resolution of those images was as one would expect of such a large format (the film for which I assume is still available), but I'm sure they didn't show us the best they could do either! [Wink]

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-02-2002, 03:48 PM:

Read all about it!: [Cool]

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/government/aerial/

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/government/aerial/products/

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/government/aerial/applications/

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-02-2002, 10:05 PM:

Ka-CHING!!

Thanks!

He'll be much impressed. [Cool]

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-02-2002, 10:29 PM:

You're welcome! [Smile]

Glad to help improve your relationship with your future in-laws. [Big Grin]