Anyone Familiar With the Kodak Signet Line of Rangefinders?

[Steve M.]

After owning a lot of, to me, expensive 35mm rangefinders, I'm rediscovering the fun of cheap ones. There's a Konica C35 on the way (great lens), and a Fed and Zorki coming too (I'm either an eternal optimist or plain stupid). Whilst researching other cheap cameras, and there are a million of them, I came across the Kodak Signet line. I think the 35 had the best lens, a 44mm Ektar, but the 40 and the 80 interest me too. Has anyone used any of these, or have any info on them that they could steer me to? I really like the 40 because of it's tiny size, but am wondering if it's lesser Ektanon lens is a deal breaker.

 

[dbarnes]

The Signet 35 is built like a tank and has a very sharp lens.

It's not tiny, but it's pretty compact. Heavy for it's size.

Not fast in operation. Manual shutter cocking, knob film advance, back comes off for film loading.

The shutter's flash sync terminal has an odd bayonet fitting.

All up, other than nostalgia or basic curiosity, the lens is the main attraction.

 

[Greyscale]

One of the best things about the Signet 35 (aside from the lens) is that it has a rugged simplicity of design that makes it both durable, and fairly easy to repair in case something does go wrong. The body is cast from a solid chunk of metal. The Signet 35 may well be one of the best American-manufactured rangefinder cameras ever produced.

It is built like a tank, possibly because it was originally designed with military use in mind, with an eye toward operation and maintenance in less-than ideal situations.

Aside from the original chrome finish, the olive military versions are not too uncommon. There is also a black version which is quite rare, while you can usually find a chrome Signet 35 in working condition in the $20-$50 price range, I saw a black model sell for about $300 on eBay very recently.

 

[Steve M.]

Thanks guys. Others have said the lenses are pretty good. There's a black one on the auction site that is dented and has a bad shutter....and they still want $300 for it! Other black ones there are $500, $600, etc. Whoa. A silver one would be just fine. There's always paint and a brush if I have to have a black one.

I sure like the looks of the 40 though.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68946599/vintage-kodak-signet-40-35mm-camera

 

[JohnTF]

I believe I had (have) a Signet 50, and had a Signet 80, probably have the 35 kicking around the house.

The 50 was zone focus, which in a way was good, I had to learn to use it, it was my first 35mm camera, had a 2.8 sharp enough lens-- and a very clear viewfinder, which, while not having a RF did have a reminder to wind the film. Flash was the unique Kodak screw attachment to a Kodak flash. Aperture and shutter were linked, and the built in light meter gave EV numbers.

The 80 had a RF and interchangeable lenses-- I had two of the three -- but the viewfinder was not exactly durable nor easily repaired, according to the repair guy who tried to reattach the loose parts, it was a double stroke, odd sort of advance, the lenses have been said to be good.

Was expensive in its time, though I got the telephoto cheap as because of its unique mount and low popularity of the camera-- I was able to wear down Cord Camera on High Street in Columbus in the late 60's.

I rather like the Petri's and Ricoh's of the same era, for fixed lens-

I know dealers who have boxes of these types of cameras which come with other large deals, and they tend to donate them rather than bother selling them, with some exceptions.

Regards, John

 

[Spavinaw]

I have several Signet 35's and one each of the other Signets. According to what I've read, at serial number 184491 the Signet 35 got an improved range finder, shutter, and a black film pressure plate instead of chrome. Anyway, what may be of interest is the flash sync on these cameras. Most will have M sync for flashbulbs. Later ones will have M-F-X sync suitable for electronic flash. This probably occurred at the above serial number. I can verify that my camera, serial number 195155, has M-F-X sync. It is engraved next to the sync post. The serial number is located under the rewind knob.
I see lots of these for sale that need the shutter cleaned. It is really not that hard to do
yourself, as it is easy to open them up.
However, if you want a Signet 40--get it! Not expensive and like most cameras it should be sharper if stopped down a bit.

 

[68degrees]

... According to what I've read, at serial number 184491 the Signet 35 got an improved range finder, shutter, and a black film pressure plate instead of chrome. ..

I have an older and a newer and on mine the older one has a black one and the newer one has the chrome one. Id like to know whats the dif? Is one for Infrared?