Cirkut Cameras

Begining in 1902, cirkut cameras were produced in five different sizes. The smallest model uses film five inches high. The largest cirkut camera uses film 16 inches high and is a very rare camera. Only 93 of the huge monsters were ever produced. These cameras were used to take images like the following:

Panoramic photo made with a #10 cirkut camera
President Taft at G.A.R. convention, Rochester, New York
photo by Almeron Newman, September 7, 1911
Courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

#5 Cirkut Camera

Specifications (from The Cirkut Method):

Width of photograph............................5 in.
Dimensions.....................................12 x 7 x 4 in.
Weight of Camera..............................6 1/4 lbs.
Weight of Complete Equipment...............19 lbs.
Length of Bellows..............................12 in.
Size of Lens Board.............................2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.

The Cirkut #6, #8, #10, and #16 bascially all look alike in design.
The illustrations of a #8 Cirkut camera and the associated outfit.

#6 Cirkut Outfit

Specifications (from The Cirkut Method):

Width of photograph...........................6 1/2in.
Dimensions of Camera..........8 3/4 x 4 1/4 x 9 1/4 in
Dimensions of Camera with
film attachment................10 x 8 x 10 7/8 in.
Weight of Camera............................6 1/4lbs.
Weight of Camera with film attachment......10 3/4 lbs.
Weight of complete Outfit
with Tripod, Top and Cases...............25 lbs.
Length of Bellows.................................22 1/2in.
Size of Lens Board......................3 1/8 x 3 1/8 in.

#8 Cirkut Outfit

Specifications (from The Cirkut Method):

Width of photograph...........................8in.
Dimensions of Camera..........10 3/8 x 4 1/2 x 10 3/8 in.
Dimensions of Camera with
film attachment.............11 5/8 x 8 1/2 x 10 7/8 in.
Weight of Camera............................9lbs.
Weight of Camera with film attachment......14 lbs.
Weight of complete Outfit
with Tripod, Top and Cases...............44 lbs.
Length of Bellows.................................26in.
Size of Lens Board......................4 1/8 x 4 1/8 in.

#10 Cirkut Camera

Specifications (from The Cirkut Method):

Width of photograph..................................10 in.
Dimensions.......................................9x11x12 in.
Weight of Complete Equipment.................49 lbs.
Length of Bellows......................................27 in.
Size of Lens Board...................................4x4 in.

#16 Cirkut Camera

Specifications (from The Cirkut Method):

Width of photograph..............................16 in.
Dimensions..............................11 1/4 x 14 1/4 x 18 in.
Weight of Complete Equipment...................90 lbs.
Length of Bellows....................................39 in.
Size of Lens Board.......................5 x 5 in.