Kodak Hawkette
Specification
| Manufacturer | : | Kodak |
|---|---|---|
| Produced | : | 1930 |
| Classification | : | Medium Format |
| Body Type | : | Folding Strut |
| Construction | : | Bakelite |
| Film Type | : | 120 |
| Film Width | : | 62mm |
| ImageSize | : | 2¼ x 3¼ in |
| No. of Images | : | 8 |
| Lens Type | : | Meniscus |
| Focus Type | : | Fixed |
| Focal Length | : | 90mm |
| Focal Range | : | 6ft - inf. |
| Aperture Type | : | Multihole |
| Aperture | : | f/16; f/22; f/32 |
| Shutter Type | : | Rotary |
| Shutter Speeds | : | 1/50 sec, B |
| Size Open (w x h x d) | : | 100 x 180 x 117 mm |
| Size Closed (w x h x d) | : | 100 x 180 x 42 mm |
| Weight | : | 600g |
Art Deco Credentials
Iconic: Famous, well-known and celebrated
- Produced during the main Art Deco period.
- Moulded Bakelite body.
- Brown marbled Bakelite.
- Multi-line pattern in Bakelite.
- Chrome struts.
- Chrome film advance.
- Chrome back closing lock.
Description
This was the first plastic bodied camera produced by Kodak. It is constructed from brown Bakelite with a mottled tortoiseshell appearance. This model was for premium sales only and it's production took it's lead from the Rajar No.6 camera produced in 1928, also made from Bakelite. These cameras were given away under premium schemes for a number of products including magazines, cigarettes and Cadbury chocolates.
It supports Timed mode and Instant with a speed of about 1/50 sec. It has three aperture settings of f/16, f/22 and f/32 which are changed using a sliding tab.
When buying these cameras, look out for chipped front plates. The bellows of these cameras are also of poor quality and often have pinholes.
How to Use
See Instruction Manual here. This camera takes 120 film which is easily available.
This camera has three aperture settings of f/16, f/22 and f/32 which are changed using a sliding tab. With a shutter speed of only 1/50 sec, make sure you brace the camera against your body or something solid and press the shutter smoothly to avoid camera shake.
If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide below. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when over-exposed by 2 or 3 stops or under-exposed by 1 stop.
The tables below assume the shutter speed is about 1/50s. If you are not sure about the light level, err on the side of overexposure - i.e. assume the lower light level.
The tables also 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.
Using ISO 100 Film
| Weather Conditions | Shadow Detail | Aperture | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
 SunnySnow/Sand | Dark with sharp edges | Tab Up f/32 | Good |
| Sunny | Distinct | Tab Middle f/22 | Good |
 Slight Overcast | Soft around edges | Tab Down f/16 | Good |
 Overcast | Barely visible | Tab Down f/16 | -1 Stop Underexposed Acceptable |
 Heavy Overcast | None | Tab Down f/16 | -2 Stops Underexposed Not Acceptable |
 Open Shade/Sunset | None | Tab Down f/16 | -3 Stops Underexposed Not Acceptable |
Using ISO 400 Film
| Weather Conditions | Shadow Detail | Aperture | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunny Snow/Sand | Dark with sharp edges | Tab Up f/32 | +2 Stops Overexposed Acceptable |
| Sunny | Distinct | Tab Up f/32 | +1 Stop Overexposed Acceptable |
| Slight Overcast | Soft around edges | Tab Up f/32 | Good |
| Overcast | Barely visible | Tab Middle f/22 | Good |
| Heavy Overcast | None | Tab Down f/16 | Good |
| Open Shade /Sunset | None | Tab Down f/16 | -1 Stop Underexposed Acceptable |
Images taken by this camera
Pinhole Issues
Photographs taken with this camera
The film used was Ilford SFX with an ISO of 200. Unfortunately I didn't check the bellows for pinholes before I used it. The results were interesting. Actually they were not just pinholes, someone commented that they were more like Swiss cheese. Actually, I am suprised I got any images at all! If your not sure about the quality of your bellows, keep the camera closed and in its case as much as possible. There was also a lot of dust in the bellows which kept falling on the film. This produced lots of black flecks on the images. I intend to fix the bellows and try again soon.
Bellows made light tight
I did a quick fix on the bellows by making a temporary black card insert for the camera.
Ilford Delta 100 Professional film of unknown age. Developed in D76 1+1 pushed 1 stop. It was a dull day so decided to push at development.
