I have a very nice aerial 5x7 camera with a 15 inch f/5.6 Wollensak telephoto lens on it. It is a Keystone Aircraft type F8. It has a focal plane shutter. The lens has marked stops from 5x6 to f/32.

It looks as if it takes 7 inch roll film. It has shutter speeds adjustable from 1/400 second to 1/125 of a second.

Does anyone know what films would be availble for this camera these days and what distance the fixed lens is set for?

I would like to try using it, even if I have to tape a 5x7 or 4x5 negative to the glass inside.

If there are any old military photogs with experience, or if someone has used one of these, I would appreciate info on the camera as a user.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), January 18, 2001

Answers

Kodak apparently has a wide variety of Aerial roll films, including some in 5 in width.

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

Hopefully, the stuff is reasonably priced.

I'm no expert, and just IMHO...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), January 18, 2001.

I don't know for sure, but would imagine the lens would be focussed at infinity. Whether you're flying at 3000' or 300,000', the ground is effectively at infinity.

I used a point-and-shoot camera with an infinity lock feature as a turning point camera when flying sailplanes.

-- John H. Henderson (jhende03@harris.com), January 18, 2001.