I picked up this Keystone model A-12 16mm movie camera about six months at a garage sale for a few bucks. And unlike other vintage gadgets that I’ve featured on this site, this camera is more difficult to find information on.
Few details are available online about this particular model, as it didn’t seem to be particularly popular. However, I was able to dig up some information on the company. The Keystone Camera Company was an American manufacturer of consumer photographic equipment. Notable products were Movie cameras, 126 and 110 cameras with built-in electronic flash.
One major appeal that the company’s product line had over similar products was its Made in USA labels. One popular version of their movie camera line was the Capri K27, with 3 filters and 9 settings for cloudy to sunny day conditions. This was a light, easy to use movie camera, and is considered a rare collectible today.
The A-12 model came in different variants, including black metal and brown leather. As Keystone’ was bought out in 1965 by Berkey, these cameras have been discontinued for many decades. Currently, it’s valued between $25 and $40.
For more information about decorating with vintage cameras, check out my piece on incorporating vintage cameras into a modern living space. For more information about cameras like this one, check out Brian Coe’s Kodak Cameras: The First Hundred Years.