Luddite Frank
Well-known
Picked-up another toy a few weeks ago... a moldy Kodak Signet 35.
Once it was wiped-down, it turns-out to be in pretty good shape.
Anyone have experience with these as shooters?
I think this one has a 3.4 Ektar 44 mm lens.
I plan on leaving this one in my '61 Rambler as an "appropriate camera", if it's a decent shooter.
Once it was wiped-down, it turns-out to be in pretty good shape.
Anyone have experience with these as shooters?
I think this one has a 3.4 Ektar 44 mm lens.
I plan on leaving this one in my '61 Rambler as an "appropriate camera", if it's a decent shooter.
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Honu-Hugger
Well-known
It must be a guilty pleasure... no replies 
I have a couple, I like them for the great lens and the unique look of the camera. Hard for me to justify grabbing a Signet for any practical reasons but it's fun to play with and is very capable. Also an interesting piece of Kodak history. My girlfriend is a furniture designer and she loves it!
I have a couple, I like them for the great lens and the unique look of the camera. Hard for me to justify grabbing a Signet for any practical reasons but it's fun to play with and is very capable. Also an interesting piece of Kodak history. My girlfriend is a furniture designer and she loves it!
W
wlewisiii
Guest
I have one. It's a typical Kodak consumer camera for it's day - really rather good glass with meh ergonomics. The Ektar is, like usual, a typical Tessar clone and will provide quite good images within it's limitations. A Retina is a better camera on almost any qualitative level but I've found myself picking up the Signet instead more often than not.
It's very appropriate to keep in a Rambler... Ah, memories. The first car I can remember was a Rambler station wagon.
William
It's very appropriate to keep in a Rambler... Ah, memories. The first car I can remember was a Rambler station wagon.
William
Honu-Hugger
Well-known
Great visual -- a Signet seems perfect with a Rambler.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
radiocemetery
Well-known
Dang..... I think I see a Valiant in the car show pic.
Nice images Frank.
Nice images Frank.
bmattock
Veteran
On the end, next to the Rambler American. Me, too. I learned to drive on a 1964 Valiant s/w with 225 slant six and three-on-the-tree.
ZeissFan
Veteran
I found it to be a nice camera, although almost too small. Your fingers tend to get in the way of the rangefinder window.
The shutter, like all of those Kodaks, can be fussy and a royal pain in the neck to service.
The lens is sharp. The steel shell, like other Kodaks, can get stained.
The shutter, like all of those Kodaks, can be fussy and a royal pain in the neck to service.
The lens is sharp. The steel shell, like other Kodaks, can get stained.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
radiocemetery
Well-known
Look at all those cars you could work on without a lift and a shop full of diagnostic equipment. Where's my shade tree?
Frank, I think my favorite is the first one in this series. The garage in the background really adds to the vintage look.
Steve
Frank, I think my favorite is the first one in this series. The garage in the background really adds to the vintage look.
Steve
janku
Newbie
I had one. Sold it and I am sorry now! It had very good lens.
Jan
Jan
ErnestoJL
Well-known
Its a better camera than the actual price would suggest, and with a very sharp lens.
Is limited in terms of shutter speed and lens aperture, but as an every day shooter it will surprise you with the results.
If the shutter works fine, it won´t dissapoint you. Mine came in as a gift from a collector who wasn´t interested in 35 mm solid body cameras. He payed USD 2 for it.
Ernesto
Is limited in terms of shutter speed and lens aperture, but as an every day shooter it will surprise you with the results.
If the shutter works fine, it won´t dissapoint you. Mine came in as a gift from a collector who wasn´t interested in 35 mm solid body cameras. He payed USD 2 for it.
Ernesto
oftheherd
Veteran
Yep, those days are sadly gone. But I still have my old tools. Don't get to use them much. Not only because of the change in cars, the wife doesn't understand the pleasure of working on a car, and thinks everything should be done in a shop so we can spend more time together.
Where in the world she got an idea like that I don't know.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Yeah. Great lens, lousy shutter. What were they thinking?
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Are you even talking about the same camera? The shutter on a Signet 35 is easy to get into and is easy to service, which is fortunate, because it has a tendency to jam. The body is made of cast aluminum, not steel. Are you thinking of a Kodak 35? That's a different camera.
This is a Signet 35:
robklurfield
eclipse
Frank, is the convertible yours? Nice car. Good match with the Kodak.
ErnestoJL
Well-known
The camera is extremely simple yet tough enough to withstand abuse. The shutter is poor but quite easy to repair if needed as well as other mechanical devices inside the top and bottom covers. I think that every Kodak Signet 35 is a camera designed for military use but lacking the olive green or black finish those had.
Cheers
Ernesto
Cheers
Ernesto