Focal Plane - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Focal Plane Meter

1909

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Image of Focal Plane Meter

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Plate speed: 22 - 1000 Watkins. Shutter speed: 1/4000 - 150. Aperture: f2.8 - f32.

Attributes:
Actinometer scale: 1 - 150. Speed guide on reverse of case.

Notes:
Retailer's label: Adams. 24 Charing Cross Rd London WC.

With:
Focal Plane Meter Instructions 1st Edition. Bee Meter Instructions 8th edition. Speed List (13 Mar 1911, 17th year of issue, price 1d). Speed List (6 Jul 1915, 23rd year of issue, price 1d). Box.

The Focal Plane Meter shows higher speeds than the standard Bee, it was also easier to read. In use the actinometer value is found, the plate speed is set against that value, the shutter speed and aperture pairs can then be read. The dials were not interchangeable with the ordinary Bee.

Fall Meter

1923

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Plate Speed: 45 - 1000 Watkins. Shutter speed: 1/4000 - 130. Aperture: f2.8 - f45.

Attributes:
Actinometer value: 2 - 130.

With:
Instructions. Speed List (15 Apr 1924, 31st year of issue, price 3d). Spare US dial in cardboard case scaled ½ - 128. Sensitive papers. Box.

One of the last Watkins meters to be introduced, the Fall was intended for use with newer cameras then on the market having faster lenses and shutters. The case of the Fall differs from the Bee and the dials are not interchangeable. After setting the plate speed and actinometer value the shutter speed and aperture pairs can be read.

References & Notes:
AP 9/4/1924, p. 350. NP 1/3/1924, p. xvii. NP 9/4/1924, p. 350. BJA 1924, p. 86.

Fall Meter

1923

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Details as above.

With:
Instructions. Speed List (16 Jan 1924, 31st year of issue, price 3d). Spare US dial in cardboard case scaled ½ - 128. Box.

Fall Meter

1923

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Details as above.

With:
Disc refills in tin (price 9d).

Snapshot Meter

1915

F dial

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Image of Snapshot Meter F dial

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Plate speed: 22 - 1000 Watkins. Shutter speed: 1/4000 - 130. Aperture: f3.2 - f50.

Attributes:
Actinometer value: 1 - 130.

Identification:
Speed guide on reverse of case.

Notes:
The box has a price on it of 4/6.

With:
Instructions. Short Instructions for Bee. Short Instructions for Snapshot. Box. Disc Refill tin, price 9d.

The Snapshot replaced the Focal plane Meter.

References & Notes:
BJA 1916, p.14.

Snapshot Meter

1915

F dial

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Image of Snapshot Meter F dial

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Plate speed: 22 - 1000 Watkins. Shutter speed: 1/4000 - 130. Aperture: f2.8 - f45.

Attributes:
Actinometer value: 1 - 130.

Identification:
Speed guide on reverse of case.

This is similar to the previous entry but has a different aperture range.

References & Notes:
BJA 1916, p.14.

Kinematograph Meter

1913

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Image of Kinematograph Meter

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Plate speed: 45 - 100 Watkins. Shutter speed: 1/130 - 1, this is the shutter speed based on the sector size. Aperture: f1.4 - f22.

Attributes:
Actinometer range: 1 - 500.

Notes:
Price 7/6.

With:
Instructions. Speed List (1 Sep 1921, 25th year of issue, price 3d). Pendulum. Box.

In use the film speed is set against the actinometer value that has been measured, the aperture can then be read against the shutter speed of the camera. The price of 7/6 dates this example to 1919 or later.

Small Cine Meter

c. 1925

f8 series

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Film speed: 90 - 700 Watkins. Shutter speed: ½, NS (Normal Speed), 2. Aperture: f1 - f22.

Attributes:
Actinometer value: 1 - 500.

Produced in two series for f8 and f10 lenses.

Filmo Cine Meter

Late 1920s

Watkins Meter Co.

Hereford

England

Meter Type:
Actinometer.

Calibration:
Film speed: 90 - 700 Watkins. Shutter speed: 8 - 130 f.p.s. Aperture: f1.9 - f32.

Attributes:
Actinometer value: 1 - 500.

Produced for the Bell & Howell Filmo cine camera.


Company Details:

Watkins Meter Co.

Actinometers

Stanley Actinometer

Watkins

Standard, Junior

Watch Type
Dial Meter

Bee

Compass Bee

Queen Bee

Autochrome, Colour, Indoor
Studio, Snipe

Focal Plane, Fall, Snapshot
Kinematograph, Small Cine
Filmo

Wynne

Infallible, Snapshot

Silver Infallible, Silver Gem

Hunter Meter

Other

Adams Meters

Imperial Exposure Meter

Le Chronopose Exact
Haka Expometer
Universal

Chronoscope PAP


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