Kodak XL55 movie camera with microphone attachment

Kodak XL55 movie camera with microphone attachment. Kodak Ektar lens 9mm f/1.2. Takes four AA bateries (removed). Super 8 cartridge. Shutter with two speeds, 9, 18 fps.

In 1972, Kodak introducd two new products: the Kodak Instamatic XL Super 8 movie camera and newly engineered high-speed Ektachrome-G 160 movie film. The XL stood for ‘Existing Light’ and Kodak touted that the cameras, when used with the new Ektachrome stock, didn’t need the help of movie lights when filming indoors. This new system was considered revolutionary, as now movie cameras could film in conditions indoors and during evening hours at night which were previously near impossible to capture. The two cameras that were introduced, the non-zoom XL-33 and the zoom XL-55 were uniquely designed to resemble binoculars, allowing the shooter to hold the camera steadily with two hands.

Details

Category:
Cinematography
Object Number:
2010-5057/2
Materials:
aluminium (metal), plastic (unidentified), leatherette, rubber (unidentified) and glass
Measurements:
overall (camera): 115 mm x 85 mm x 166 mm,
overall (microphone): 111 mm 21 mm,
type:
cine camera
credit:
National Media Museum, Bradford