The Equipment
Lee Passmore used a Kodak Cirkut 10 panorama camera in the early 1900's
Kodak Cirkut 10 Rotating Camera
Rotating Panoramic Cameras have been made since 1857 the most popular being the Kodak Cirkut Cameras. These cameras were first introduced in 1907. The cameras were originally made by The Century Camera Co. of Rochester, NY. This company was bought eventually by Eastman Kodak Co. and the cameras were manufactured by a division of the company. The Cirkut Camera was made in several different sizes. They used roll film from 5" X 24" up to 16" by 20 feet. The #16 Cirkut is the largest roll film camera ever made. The most popular Cirkut camera was the Cirkut #10. Many Cirkuts are used today to make a variety of panoramic pictures.
Cirkut Cameras were originally made to make shots of large groups of people. Because the camera rotated you could be much closer to the subject and still capture the whole group. Many are still used for this purpose.
Cirkut Cameras were made with a spring wound clockwork. Two different methods were used to regulate the speed of the motor. The first used small air resistance fans attached to the bottom of the camera. The larger the fan, the slower the motor would go. Later, a ball governor device mounted inside the body of the camera was used.
Cirkut Cameras are still used totay by many photographers, but, they are not the only rotating panoramic cameras. Some of the others are the Roundshot-a superb pan camera available in many models, Hulcherama, Globuscope, and many cameras made by amateur camera builders. These modern rotating panoramic cameras use easily available film and produce stunning images.
Cirkut Cameras were originally made to make shots of large groups of people. Because the camera rotated you could be much closer to the subject and still capture the whole group. Many are still used for this purpose.
Cirkut Cameras were made with a spring wound clockwork. Two different methods were used to regulate the speed of the motor. The first used small air resistance fans attached to the bottom of the camera. The larger the fan, the slower the motor would go. Later, a ball governor device mounted inside the body of the camera was used.
Cirkut Cameras are still used totay by many photographers, but, they are not the only rotating panoramic cameras. Some of the others are the Roundshot-a superb pan camera available in many models, Hulcherama, Globuscope, and many cameras made by amateur camera builders. These modern rotating panoramic cameras use easily available film and produce stunning images.
Lee Passmore with his Kodak Cirkut 10 camera outfit in 1910 or so. The case with the studio name on it held the tripod legs and rotating head and gears. The box under the camera held the camera and back safely away when traveling to photograph views.
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