55 Years Ago - May 1961

<p>The big question for photographers in May 1961 was whether Kodak had messed up their beloved Kodachrome film.</p>

<p>Modern Photography takes a look at the new Kodachrome II film.</p>

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<p>Do the new exposure meters with Cadmium Sulfide cells really match the hype?</p>

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<p>A new film from Polaroid gives you a print in 15 seconds and a negative for later use.</p>

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<p>Do you think testing a lens is an easy job? This article discusses the problems involved.</p>

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<p>Bennett Sherman has some crazy ideas about electronic cameras in his Techniques Tomorrow column.</p>

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<p>Herb Keppler looks at attaching RF camera lenses to a reflex camera.</p>

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<p>Here is the New Products column. I had never heard of the first camera.</p>

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<p>Here are this month's Modern Tests.</p>

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<p>Here are this month's camera equipment ads.</p>

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<p>Here are this month's dealer ads.</p>

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<p>Danke schön.<br>

I remember the switch to KII. While I liked the later Kodachrome 25 better, II had its points.</p>

<p>The Periflex Keppler talks about in his column was, IMHO, sort of like the optical viewfinder on some SLRs -- sounded better than its actual utility justified.</p>

 

<p>JDM - I remember the switch to K 25. It seems like there were some initial problems that caused some angst among the purists.</p>

<p>I thought from reading Keppler column that the Periflex was a new idea. I see now that the camera first came out in 1953 and that production ceased in 1961, the year of the column.</p>

Some nice articles offering a glimpse of what was cutting edge in its day. Especially enjoyed the Kodachrome article and

the Polaroid article. Thanks.

<p>I certainly never heard of the Graphic CO2 powered camera. My experience with CO2 cartridges suggests that it was almost certainly a terrible idea. I wonder how many of them exist?</p>

<p>Mike - I have never seen such trepidation over testing a film as I did with this Kodachrome II test.</p>

<p>Matthew - I am going to look closely for ads for this camera.</p>

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<p>Yes, the Jet-O-Matic, got to have one of those! Thanks again Marc.</p>

<p>Thanks, <strong>Marc</strong>. I well remember the excitement when the Polaroid PosNeg film appeared, but somehow it never really caught on, mainly due to cost constraints, I suspect.</p>

<p>Rick - I know a number of large format photographer, including myself, that thought it was worth it. It did put a dent in your budget.</p>

<p>Another great window into the past. I remember my father worrying about Kodachrome II.</p>

<p>As for the Polaroid negatives, it is an interesting evolutive dead branch. Thrilling, but it was not designed for "snapshooters or the fumble fingered set". Therefore it died young.</p>

<p>The Electric-Eye Canonet is featured as a new product, along with the Periflex. Times were a-changing.</p>

<p>Those Miranda ads are priceless.<br /><br /></p>