Kodak Cine Special 16mm Cameras


The Kodak Cine Special 16mm Cameras are a family of precision, versatile, spring-wound 16mm silent movie cameras produced by Eastman Kodak from the 1930s to the 1960s, and intended for advanced consumers and industry professionals. While its rectangular format was typical of earlier Kodak 16 mm cameras, the CKS 'box' was formed by two joined sections: the spring motor half with the user controls, winding cranks, and gear work to the shutter. The other half was a film magazine which docked to the motor. This allowed the cinematographer to pre-load multiple magazines of film for quick interchange of film.
Standard features included:
Optional features included:
The first edition appears in the early 1930s with a two-lens turret. The flat shape of the turret limited the types of lenses that could be mounted - long lenses would physically and optically interfere with the taking lens. The post-war innovation of the Cine Special II beveled the turret face so the lens mounts were not parallel. Kodak also made a military version with black, non-reflective metal instead of chrome.

Lenses

The CKS-1 turret holds 2 lenses. Both positions secure a mounting bracket to connect to lenses. One position is the Cine-Kodak mount, with a fixed 25mm lens. The other position is the Kodak S-mount distinguished by an alignment pin and secured by a screw collar. The latter allows for insertion of interchangeable lenses. The mounting brackets have tilt-up viewfinders with masks according to the focal length.
Filters: The CKS family was able to utilize the Kodak TriColor Filter. A 1920s technology using special panchromatic film with a lenticular layer behind the emulsion. This filter separates and distributes the colors in a method analogous to pixels today. KodaScope Model B 16mm projectors reconstructed the original color distribution by placing counterpart tricolor filter places over the projection lens. Further explanation is available on this page: Kodacolor

Accessories (Aftermarket)

Due to strong acceptance of the CKS in professional use a creative aftermarket of CKS extensibility grew.
This table identifies the patents covering CKS technologies, providing good date references.
PatentDate FiledInventorTitle-
1,688,3701/11/1928O. WittelLens Attachment for Photographic Apparatus -
1,942,8916/9/1932O. WittelMotion Picture Film Magazine-
1,976,3046/30/1932J. StoiberCentrifugal Governor for a Motion Picture Camera-
1,984,1037/29/1932O. WittelReflex Finder for Motion Picture Camera-
1,997,3217/13/1932J. StoiberBrake for Motion Picture Apparatus-
2,011,3507/30/1932O. WittelControl Arrangement for a Motion Picture Camera -
2,083,6467/30/1934A.B. FullerMotor Drive for Motion Picture Cameras
2,105,2508/11/1936D. F. Lyman, J. StoiberWarning Signal for Dissolving Shutters-
2,487,9134/3/1948 O. WittelLens Supporting and Focusing Mechanism for Motion-PIcture Cameras -
D 133,6265/1/1942W. Bach Motion Picture Camera Motor Drive Casing-

The following table identifies lens and filter patents of the CKS Series.
PatentDate FiledInventorTitle
1,620,3371/17/1923F.E. AltmanObjective
1,685,6007/20/1927W. FrederickOptical System for Color Processes
1,688,3701/11/1928O. WittelLens Attachment for Photographic Apparatus
1,405,4635/3/1920TessierFocusing Lens Mount
2,019,7356/24/1934J.W. ScottFocusing Objective

Subsequent Camera History

Following the CKS Kodak introduced the synchronous, electric drive Kodak Reflex Special with a 400' magazine.
Bach-Auricon began delivery of electric, 16mm sound cameras in the early 1940s, and these were produced through the 1970s.