Kodak Vigilant Six-20
Specification
| Manufacturer | : | Kodak |
|---|---|---|
| Produced | : | UK 1939 - 1948 |
| Classification | : | Medium Format |
| Body Type | : | Folding Bed |
| Bellows Deployment | : | Self Erecting |
| Construction | : | Metal |
| Film Type | : | 620 |
| Film Width | : | 62mm |
| ImageSize | : | 2¼ x 3¼ in |
| No. of Images | : | 8 |
| Lens Type | : | Kodak Anastigmat |
| Focal Length | : | 103mm |
| Focus Type | : | Variable |
| Focal Range | : | 3 feet - inf. |
| Aperture Type | : | Iris |
| Aperture | : | f/4.5 - f/32 |
| Shutter Type | : | Kodak No.1 Kodamatic |
| Shutter Speeds | : | T,B, I(1/10 - 1/200 sec) |
| Size Closed (w x h x d) | : | 95 x 170 x 43 mm |
| Size Open (w x h x d) | : | 95 x 170 x 132 mm | Weight | : | 708g |
Art Deco Credentials
Significant: Pronounced and self evident
- Produced during the main Art Deco period.
- polished metal faceplate design.
- Rounded streamlined body.
- Body embossed with triple lines
- Ruled lines on chromed metal struts
- Concentric stepped circles on front door release.
- Concentric stepped circles on body shutter release.
- Black & chrome pop-up finder
Description
The Vigilant six-20 is a self erecting folding rollfilm camera that takes 8, 2½ x 3¼ inch exposures on 620 rollfilm. It has a f/4.5, 103 mm Kodak Anastigmat lens. The iris diaphram gives a range of f/4.5 to f/32. It has a variable focus and will focus down to 3 feet. It has a Kodak No.1 Kodamatic shutter with speeds 1 - 1/200s, B, T. It has a delayed action setting giving a delay of about 10-12 seconds. It has a shutter release on the body.
The metal body is covered in leather and it has leather bellows. It has both a brilliant finder on the lens plate and a direct optical finder on the body. The optical finder has parallax adjustment for subjects between 4ft and infinity.
Film advance is indicated by red window and is not coupled to shutter so double exposure is possible. The red window has a cover.
Lens/shutter combinations
Several lens and shutter combinations were available.
Lenses included Kodak Anastigmat f/8.8, f/6.3 and f/4.5, Kodak Anastigmat Special f/4.5 and the Kodak Anaston f/6.3.
Shutters included Kodex, Diomatic, Dakon, Kodamatic, Flash Kodamatic and Supermatic
How to Use
Find the camera manual here
This camera takes 620 film which is still available from selected photographic outlets. Although the actual film is the same as 120 film, the spools are different. The 620 spools are slightly shorter and have a smaller diameter. Do not use 120 film in this camera because it will jam and may snap. It is possible to cut down a spool of 120 film to fit or to re-spool some 120 film onto 620 spools in a darkroom or changing bag.
If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown, using shutter speeds are 1/25s, 1/50s and 1/100s only. 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.
Remember that the exposure guide in the camera user manual may not be helpful as it is based on the use of old film with a low ISO value.
The tables assume that the sun is at least 30 degrees above the horizon - that's 10am - 5pm on a summer's day (May-August) in the UK.
If you are not sure about the light level, err on the side of overexposure - i.e. assume the smaller f number.
Where there is a choice, a larger f number will give a larger depth of field.
For the slower speeds, you may need a tripod to stop blur through shake.
Using ISO 100/125 film
| Weather Conditions | Shadow Detail | Shutter Speed (s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/25 | 1/50 | 1/100 | ||
 SunnySnow/Sand | Dark with sharp edges | - | f/32 | f/22 |
| Sunny | Distinct | f/32 | f/22 | f/16 |
 Slight Overcast | Soft around edges | f/22 | f/16 | f/11 |
 Overcast | Barely visible | f/16 | f/11 | f/8 |
 Heavy Overcast | None | f/11 | f/8 | f/5.6 |
 Open Shade/Sunset | None | f/8 | f/5.6 | f/4.5 |