Keystone K-12 (c.1966)

An 8mm spring-wind movie camera with reflex through-the-lens viewing and Feather-Touch Power Zoom.

Overview

The Keystone K-12 is an 8mm movie camera made by Keystone. It has a reflex "through-the-lens" viewfinder and automatic exposure from a selenium cell. It takes standard 8mm film and runs on 4 x AA batteries, even though some sources call it spring-wind. It has a Feather-Touch Power Control system and a single power zoom lens, marketed as "1 FEATHER-TOUCH POWER ZOOM." It was sold under variations of the name "Keystone K-12 Reflex Auto-Zoom 8mm Movie Camera."

Specifications

Format	8mm
Film Format	Standard 8 mm
Transport	Spring-wind
Power source	4 x AA batteries
Battery check button	yes
Exposure	Automatic (selenium cell)
Viewfinder	REFLEX 'THROUGH-THE-LENS' VIEWFINDER
Zoom	1 FEATHER-TOUCH POWER ZOOM
Feature	Feather-Touch Power Control

Design

The reflex through-the-lens system lets you compose the image in real time through the viewfinder. The Feather-Touch Power Control system handles the zoom smoothly. The camera is part of the "HORIZON" series, as noted in the Pacific Rim Camera PDF.

Market

The Keystone K-12 was advertised for $169.97 in January 1966, with a sale price of $49.88 listed in the same ad. A used example was priced at $100 in 1982. Today, units are listed on Etsy for $60 or best offer. Instruction manuals are available for $18.00 through Craigcamera.