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Art Deco Cameras

Coronet Captain Box

Specification


Coronet Captain Box
Coronet Captain Box
Manufacturer: Coronet
Produced: 1955
Classification:Medium Format
Body Type:Box
Construction:Metal/Bakelite
Film Type:120
Film Width:62mm
Image Size:2¼ x 3¼ in
No. of Images:8
Focal Length:115mm
Lens Type:Meniscus
Focus Type:Fixed plus Close-up lens
Focus Range:10ft to inf. plus Close-up (3-9ft)
Aperture Type :Fixed plus green filter
Aperture :f/16
Shutter Type:Rotary
Shutter Speeds:B, I*(1/40 sec)
Size (w x h x d):95 x 110 x 130 mm
Weight:560g
* Measured on this camera

Art Deco Credentials

star
Limited: Minor and insubstantial

Description

The Coronet Captain Box camera uses rollfilm No.120. It is similar to other cameras made by Coronet and in particular the Coronet Ambassador and the Coronet Rex Box. These cameras were also made by Tiranty in France. This means that the same camera model could be found either British made or French made. The Captain is a simple box camera designed for capturing 6 x 9 cm pictures. It is constructed in two parts. The front is made from ribbed Bakelite with a decorative metal front plate. The rear is a metal box. It features chrome hinged view finder covers over two brilliant finders for landscape or portrait photos. It has a nice ribbed plastic strap.

It has a fixed focus meniscus lens. The film plane is curved to give better focus at the corners. Shutter has two settings: instant or time, although the time setting is more like 'bulb'. There is a tab to pull to switch between instant and time exposures. The film advance is not coupled to the shutter release so double exposure is possible. A built in green filter can be pulled into place by a lever on the side. The green filter can be used for photographing plants, separating the green foliage from the brightly-coloured flowers. It can also be used in landscape photography to boost the appearance of grass and trees. There is a two position sliding lever below the lens that controls the focus. In one position, focus is between 3ft and 9ft whilst in the other the focus goes between 10ft and infinity. This model has synchronised flash connectors on the side.

How to Use

This camera takes 120 film which is easily available.

As the shutter speed is only 1/40s, it is advisable to use a tripod to get clear shake free images. However, holding it against a wall or other solid object would work as well. For quick snapshots, hold it firmly against your body.

If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when overexposed by 2 or 3 stops or underexposed by 1 stop.

The tables assume that the sun is at least 30 degrees above the horizon - that's 10am - 5pm on a summers day (May - August) in the UK.

Remember that the exposure guide in the manual may not be helpful as it is based on the use of old film with a low ISO value.

Using ISO 100/125 film - shutter speed 1/40s

Weather ConditionsShadow DetailApertureExposure
Sunny
Snow/Sand
Dark
with sharp edges
f/16+2 Stops
Overexposed
Acceptable
SunnyDistinctf/16+1 Stop
Overexposed
Acceptable
Slight OvercastSoft around edgesf/16Good
OvercastBarely visiblef/16-1 Stop
Underexposed
Acceptable
Heavy OvercastNonef/16-2 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable
Open Shade
/Sunset
Nonef/16-3 Stops
Underexposed
Not Acceptable