Keystone K-25 Capri Cine Camera

An 8mm movie camera made in the USA, with a dial-set exposure system and a reflex viewfinder.

Overview

The Keystone K-25 Capri is an 8mm movie camera. It takes double 8mm film and has a single-lens reflex viewfinder for accurate framing. The "Dial-Set" system lets the user set exposure for the lighting conditions, with ASA sensitivity adjustable from 10 to 40. It takes film loads of 25ft, 50ft, and 100ft, which is enough for short home films. The camera is handwound with a crank and runs without batteries.

Specifications

Film Format	8mm (Double 8)
Smallest Aperture	f22
Frame Rates	16fps & Single frame
Exposure System	Manual exposure
Viewfinder Type	Single-lens reflex type
Film Capacity	100ft (30m), 50ft (15m), 25ft
Motor	Handwound motor (crank)
Weight	4 lb
Country of Origin	USA MADE

Design

The K-25 Capri uses a "Dial-Set" exposure system. You dial in the light conditions and get the right exposure. It has a built-in filter (the garbled OCR text reads "built in biter") and is described as "Precision Built." There are no electronic parts. Everything is mechanical winding and manual controls.

Context

The Keystone K-25 Capri was used as a prop in a 1960 film about pilot Francis Powers and the top-secret U-2 plane program. It appears alongside a Revere Model 40.

Market

Listed prices for the Keystone K-25 Capri run from $20.95 to $152.99, with one untested unit offered at $36.90. An original instruction manual is available for $18.00. One owner reported being "really quite content" using their grandfather’s camera and said it was hard to justify upgrading.