Aero A1 - Unknown KODAK - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Hand-held aerial camera
Model	A-1
Brand	Kodak
Image Format	4 x 5 inches (plates or cut film)
Lens	10-inch Hawk Eye Aerial Lens, fixed aperture f/4.5
Shutter Type	Focal plane shutter with adjustable tension (1/120 to 1/435 sec)
Shutter Speeds	Approximately 1/120 to 1/435 sec (tension numbers 1-10)
Safety Shutter	Front lens safety shutter, automatically opens when thumb lever is pressed
Viewfinder	Direct vision tubular finder with intersecting vertical and horizontal wires
Film/Plate Holder	Graflex Plate Magazine Holder, capacity 12 plates or cut film in metal septums
Body Material	Cast aluminum body, sheet aluminum cone
Weight	Approximately 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) without magazine
Dimensions	Approx. 7 x 7 x 9 inches (18 x 18 x 23 cm)
Power Source	Manual (no batteries required)
Mounting	Two side hand grips, lugs for shoulder straps
Exposure Counter	Located on underside of magazine, registers plate number
Care & Cleaning	Remove safety shutter to clean front lens element; access rear element via screw cover on hand hole
Spare Parts	Replacement plates, septums, and safety shutter available from Eastman Kodak

Frequently Asked Questions - Aero A1 KODAK

What film or plates does the Kodak Aero A1 use?

The Kodak Aero A1 uses 4x5 inch plates or Eastman cut film loaded in metal septums. It is compatible with the Graflex Plate Magazine Holder, which holds up to 12 plates.

How do I set the shutter speed on the Aero A1?

Turn key K to the right until the desired tension number (1-10) appears at M. Higher numbers give faster speeds (approximately 1/120 to 1/435 sec). To decrease speed, push the escapement L up and down until a lower number registers.

What is the lens on the Kodak Aero A1?

It is a 10-inch Hawk Eye Aerial Lens with a fixed aperture of f/4.5. The lens is mounted in a standard aerial mount with a running thread and set screw for infinity focus adjustment.

How do I use the safety shutter?

The safety shutter is located in front of the lens. It opens automatically when you press the thumb lever release C to make an exposure. It protects the lens from fog, mist, or dirt and prevents fogging when the shutter is reset. It can be removed for cleaning or refocusing.

How do I advance to the next plate?

After exposing a plate, pull lever G (shifting bag) out to its limit and return it. Then, manually move the exposed plate septum to the back of the magazine, pushing it all the way into the groove behind the pressure springs.

Can I remove the magazine before all plates are exposed?

Yes, you can remove the magazine holder at any time by inserting the protective slide first. Then take it to a darkroom to remove exposed plates for development.

How do I know which plate is exposed?

The exposure counter on the underside of the magazine registers the number of the plate exposed. It helps you keep track of how many plates have been used.

What is the viewfinder like?

The camera has a direct vision tubular finder (D) with intersecting vertical and horizontal wires for proper aiming. It can also be mounted on the underside if needed.

How do I clean the lens?

Remove the safety shutter to clean the front element. To access the rear element, remove the screw cover of the hand hole F. Use a soft, dry cloth or lens cleaning solution.

What is the camera made of?

The body is made of cast aluminum, and the cone is sheet aluminum. This makes it lightweight and durable, suitable for use in aircraft.

USER MANUAL Aero A1 KODAK

DIRECTIONS FOR OPERATING

AERO CAMERA

MODEL A-1

EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY

ROCHESTER, N. Y., U. S. A.

DIRECTIONS FOR OPERATING

AERO CAMERA

MODEL A-1

EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY

ROCHESTER, N. Y., U. S. A.

AERO CAMERA

MODEL A-1

7-20-P1

MODEL A-1 HAND HELD AERO CAMERA

Size: 4 x 5. For Plates.

This camera was designed for use in two passenger aircraft, and has proven very efficient because of its light weight, compactness, simplicity of operation and adaptability to either oblique or vertical exposures.

Excellent control over the camera is provided by the two side grips and the position of the thumb lever shutter release. Three movements only are required in making exposures; set the shutter B; press the thumb lever release C; shift exposed plate.

The body of the A-1 Aero Camera is made of cast aluminum, and the cone of sheet aluminum. Two lugs EE, for attaching the shoulder straps, when the conditions require it, are located adjacent to the side hand grips.

Exposures varying from 1120 to 1435 of a second may be made by adjusting the tension of the Focal Plane Shutter, which has but one fixed aperture.

The 10'' Hawk Eye Aerial Lens fitted to the camera has a fixed aperture of f.4.5. The standard aerial mount has a running thread and set screw permitting accurate adjustment at infinity focus.

As a protection against exposure of the lens to fog, mist or dirt, often resulting in impairment of the photographic record or against fogging of the plate or film when the shutter is reset, a safety shutter is located in front of the lens. Pressure upon the thumb lever release causes this safety shutter to open just before the exposure is made. This safety shutter may be readily removed to permit refocusing or cleaning of the front element of the lens. Removal of the screw cover of the hand hole F permits easy access to the rear element of the lens. A direct vision tubular finder D having intersecting vertical and horizontal wires, provides for proper sighting of the camera. (The finder may also be located on the underside of the instrument when occasion requires.) The 4 x 5 Graflex Plate Magazine Holder with a capacity of 12 plates or Eastman Cut Film loaded in metal septums is used with the instrument.

SHUTTER SPEED PLATE

A Shutter Speed Plate, attached to the camera, gives the approximate shutter speeds, in fractional parts of seconds, obtainable with the various tension numbers 1 to 10.

SETTING THE SHUTTER The shutter is set by turning key B to the left until the letter S is indicated at N.

REGULATING THE SHUTTER SPEED Tension is regulated by turning key K to the right until the required tension number appears at M. The numbers run from 1 to 10—the highest number indicating the greatest speed.

To decrease speed of shutter, release tension of spring by pushing escapement L up and down until the required lower tension number is registered at M.

INSTANTANEOUS EXPOSURE

When the shutter has been set in accordance with the above directions, the exposure is made by pressing thumb lever release C, which also automatically opens the safety shutter located in front of the lens.

Before making exposures, pull out dark slide I and slip it into holding rack on under side of camera.

After making exposure, eject exposed plate into shifting bag G by pulling out lever H to limit of motion and returning it to its original position. After plate has been ejected, shift to back of magazine, by grasping the septum holding the plate, and swinging the inner end towards back of magazine, pushing it—all the way—into the groove between the back pressure springs and the other septums.

REMOVING MAGAZINE FROM CAMERA

It is not necessary to expose all the plates before the removal

of one, or more plates for development. With the protective slide in position, the magazine holder can be removed from the camera at any time, and taken to a dark room where any number of exposed plates can be removed.

EXPOSURE COUNTER

On the underpart of the magazine will be found the exposure counter J, which registers the number of the plate exposed.

EASTMAN KODAK CO.

ROCHESTER, N. Y.