Keystone Movie Cameras: How Many Were Manufactured?

The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment, founded in 1919 in Boston. The company produced a range of movie cameras, including the popular Capri K27 model, which featured three lenses and nine settings for various weather conditions. While it is unclear exactly how many Keystone movie cameras were made, the company operated for over seven decades before filing for bankruptcy in 1991. During this time, they released numerous camera models, including the K-series and the Everflash series, which was known for its built-in electronic flash. The longevity of the company and the variety of camera models suggest that Keystone movie cameras were likely produced in significant quantities.

Keystone Camera Company history

The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment. The company was founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1919 as a division of the Keystone Manufacturing Company.

Keystone manufactured cine and photo cameras, with notable products including movie cameras, 126 and 110 cartridge cameras with built-in electronic flash (the "Everflash" series), and low-cost 16mm cameras that are still in use today. During World War II, they also produced an aerial camera, the Type F8, with a 15-inch f/5.6 Wollensak lens.

The company was acquired by Berkey Photo Inc. in 1966 or 1968, depending on the source, and the manufacturing was moved to Clifton, New Jersey. From 1970 to 1977, Berkey accounted for 8.2% of camera sales in the United States, reaching a peak of 10.2% in 1976. However, in 1978, Berkey sold its camera division, and Keystone was sold to the Concord Camera Company for $6.6 million. In January 1991, Keystone filed for Chapter 11 protection and was subsequently purchased by Concord Camera Company.

The company's claim to fame was its built-in electronic flash, an innovative feature for low-end cameras, as other cameras at the time used flash bulbs or cubes. One popular version of their movie camera line was the Capri K27, with three lenses and nine settings for various weather conditions. This camera is considered a rare collectible today.

Keystone also produced instant cameras using Polaroid film and a range of other formats such as 35mm and Disc. They even ventured into the disposable, "single-use" camera market. However, they faced quality issues due to poor internal management structures in the early 1970s, which led to significant losses. Additionally, they were involved in an infringement suit with Polaroid in 1975 over the patents to their SX70-compatible camera.

Popular Keystone camera models

The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment, founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1910 or 1919. They produced a range of popular camera models, including:

The Everflash Series

The Keystone Everflash series featured built-in electronic flash, which was an innovative feature for low-end cameras at the time. The series included the 60 Second Everflash Model 800, the Rechargeable 850, the Everflash 1040 Telephoto, the Everflash 3570, the Everflash Funshooter 70 and 80, and the Pocket Everflash models. The Pocket Everflash had several iterations, including the 105, 106, 110, 120, 130, 140, 305, 310, 405, 410, and 710.

The Easy Shot Series

The Easy Shot series offered a range of models with varying features, such as the Easy Shot 400X, 455PN, 500, 500X, 600, 700, and 700X.

The Everflash Funshooter Series

Following the success of the Everflash series, Keystone released the Funshooter series, which included models such as the Everflash Funshooter 2, 30, 70, and 80.

The Capri Series

The Capri series was another popular range of Keystone cameras, including models such as the K-20, K-24, K-25, K-27, and K-30. The K-27, also known as the Capri K27, was a notable model with three lenses and nine settings for various weather conditions. It was lightweight and easy to use, making it a rare and collectible item today.

Other Models

In addition to the series mentioned above, Keystone also produced other camera models such as the K-8, K-36, K-48, K-615, and the Super 8. They also manufactured the Type F8 aerial camera during World War II, which was equipped with a 15-inch f/5.6 Wollensak lens.

Keystone camera features

The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment, founded in 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts. The company's notable products included movie cameras, 126 and 110 cameras with built-in electronic flash (the "Everflash" series), and low-cost 16mm cameras.

One of the most popular Keystone movie cameras was the Capri K27, which featured:

• Three lenses
• Nine settings for various weather conditions, from cloudy to sunny days
• A lightweight and easy-to-use design

The Capri K27 is now considered a rare collectible.

Another notable feature of Keystone cameras was their built-in electronic flash. This set them apart from other cameras of their time, which often used flash bulbs or flash cubes.

In the 1970s, Keystone introduced the Everflash series, which accepted Kodak's new 126 cartridge film. Later, they released Everflash cameras compatible with Kodak's 110 cartridge film.

Some of the many camera models manufactured by Keystone include:

• 211-SL (Synchro Sound)
• 409 Pocket (Twin Lens)
• 60 Second Everflash (800/801/850)
• Dual-Pack XR-10 'Atlas-Rand'
• Easy Shot 400 'Le Clic'
• EverFlash Fun Shooter series
• K 1020 Reflex (SLR)
• K-714H (Vista Zoom)
• K-7D (Zoom, Deluxe)
• K-811 (Zoom Reflex)
• Le Clic Tuff Underwater
• Message Camera 470PM
• Pocket EverFlash series

Keystone camera sales

The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment that began in 1919 in Boston. The company manufactured cine and photo cameras until 1991 when it filed for bankruptcy. During the 1930s, the firm built low-cost 16mm cameras that are still in use today. One of their popular movie cameras was the Capri K27, which featured 3 lenses and 9 settings for various weather conditions. It was lightweight and easy to use, and is considered a rare collectible today.

In 1966, Keystone was acquired by Berkey Photo Inc. and was known as Berkey Keystone until it was sold again in 1978. From 1970 to 1977, Berkey Keystone accounted for 8.2% of the sales in the camera market in the United States, with a peak of 10.2% in 1976. The company manufactured a range of cameras, including the Everflash series, which was notable for its built-in electronic flash.

Some of the Keystone camera models that were sold include the following:

• K-8
• K-27 Capri Triple Turret
• K-36
• K-25 Capri
• K-48 Bel Air
• K-41 Bel Air
• K-30 Capri
• K-45 Riviera
• K-606 Zoom
• K-714H (Vista Zoom)
• K-7D (Zoom, Deluxe)

Today, vintage Keystone cameras are sought-after collectibles and can be found for sale on websites such as eBay and Etsy.

Keystone camera collectables

The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment, founded in Boston in 1919. The company produced a range of notable products, including movie cameras, 126 and 110 cameras with built-in electronic flash (the "Everflash" series), and low-cost 16mm cameras that are still in use today.

One of the most popular models was the Capri K27, a lightweight and easy-to-use movie camera with three lenses and nine settings for various weather conditions. Today, it is considered a rare collectible.

• Keystone Criterion Model A-9 16mm: This vintage camera was made in the USA and features a Wollensak Raptar 3 & 1" Raptar 1.9 lens.
• Keystone Capri K25: This 8mm camera is from the 1950s and features a Super 8 manual wind.
• Keystone XL300 Super 8: This vintage camera is untested and was found in its original box.
• Keystone Model A-7 16mm: A wind-up movie film camera that has been fully tested and is in working condition.
• Keystone K-8: This 8mm camera comes with its original box and a neat tripod.
• Keystone K-4C "Electric Eye": A vintage 8mm movie camera with a triple-lens feature.
• Keystone K-25 Capri: An 8mm wind-up movie camera that comes in its original box.
• Keystone Model A-7 16mm (Rare): A rare version of the Model A-7, this camera is a wind-up model.
• Keystone Newport DE LUXE 16mm A-15: A rare and used model from Keystone.
• Keystone K-36: An 8mm camera with a brown finish and one reel.

These cameras, along with many other Keystone models, can be found on eBay and other collectible websites, offering a range of options for collectors and enthusiasts of vintage photographic equipment.

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