A Brief History of the Cirkut Camera

The panoramic prints on this web site were produced with the Cirkut camera, a camera specially designed for large group and scenic photographs. Manufactured between 1904 and 1940, the Cirkut camera was first produced by the Rochester Panoramic Company which merged with the Century Company. Eastman Kodak bought out the Century Company in 1907. The Cirkut camera was officially produced by the Folmer and Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak, but it became known as the Kodak Cirkut camera.

Cirkut cameras were produced in five different sizes from the smallest, the No.5 to the largest, the No.16. Currently I have two No. 8 Cirkut cameras and one No. 10 Cirkut. These cameras produce images (black & white or color) 8 or 10 inches wide and up to six feet long!

How the Camera Operates

The camera rotates by a clock-work motor. It drives an interchangeable gear wheel, which meshes with a large, circular rack on the outside of the tripod top. The speed of the clockwork motor is adjustable with a range of exposure times from 1 t2 to 1 t12 second. The Cirkut camera was supplied with a triple convertible lens which gives a choice of three different focal lengths.

Shooting the Panorama

Having one's photograph made by a Cirkut camera is a unique event which brings an old technique to contemporary times. For a group photograph, it is important that people are formed in a semi-circle. In this configuration they will appear to be in a straight line in the print. Once the camera is turned on it rotates from one end of the group to the other. For those who are fleet of foot, it is possible to run from one end of the- group to the other and thus be in the same photograph twice! Having a panoramic portrait made of your group is a unique and fun experience and the resulting photograph is a beautiful document.