Extra Large Format Aerial Camera
Keystone F-8 Aerial Camera
The F-8 is a WWII era aerial camera designed by the Keystone Manufacturing Company, Boston, Mass. The camera was used by the US armed forces namely the Air Force and Navy for aerial view reconnaissance. The camera weighed approximately 16 lbs., and was operated handheld out of the hatch on an aircraft. The effectiveness of the F-8 led to civilians shooting with it also, most famously by photographer Margaret Bourke-White who made photographs for US commercial airlines with it. The Keystone was fitted with a 15 inch F5.6 Wollensak lens. It takes 5×7 inch images on roll film 7 inches wide and 25 feet long. The shutter speed range is 125th of a second to 400th of a second. This exact camera was also manufactured by the Fairchild company and shares the same F-8 Aerial Camera badge.
F-8 Aerial Camera
This is an original F-8 Aerial Camera owned by one of our members. It has the original carrying case, along with an original unopened roll of Aero Saftey Film.
Margaret Bourke-White
Here is a photo of Margaret Bourke-White with a Keystone F-8 Aerial Camera.
F-8 Aerial Camera
Original Data Tags on an F-8 Aerial Camera owned by one of our members.
Lens
The F-8 was equipped with a Wollensak 15in f/5.6 Telephoto Lens as seen here.
F-8 Aerial Camera
Army Air Corps Member with F-8 Camera.
Film
The F-8 was took 5in or 7in film in 15 to 20 foot rolls. Pictured here are original Aero Safety Film Rolls from WWII.
