Historical information

These are the Lenses from the Klimsch Commodore Cartographic Camera that was located in Lithographic Squadron at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo. The KLIMSCH Commodore camera was originally introduced to the Survey Regiment in 1953 and was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It was replaced with a new model of the same size in 1977. These lenses are from this new model. The new model with its computer-based interface provided productivity gains with improved speed and its consistent results led to less wastage in time and materials. Its variomat lens system provided improved retention of map feature linear weights during the camera reduction process. The camera which was specially made for the Australian Army in Germany was fully automatic and power operated. It was claimed to be one of the biggest automatic cameras of its type in the world. It was made to the specifications of the Royal Australian Army Survey Corps to assist in the production of the very high standard maps for the Australian Army.

THIS KLIMSCH COMMODORE CARTOGRAPHIC CAMERA was in operation 1977 - 1997". It was a Precision Darkroom Camera especially suited for Cartographic Reproduction of Line, Continous Tone, Halftone and Colour Separation. Reproduction of Negatives and Positives from a variety of Reflection or Transmission Originals. Its characteristics were: Maximum Negative Size 1.27m sq, Copy Holder (Vacuum) 2m sq, Maximum Enlargement 400%, Maximum Reduction 13%, Automatic 60, 90 and 120cm Focal Length Lens, Transmission or Reflection Originals, Pulsed Xenon, Photo Flood or Fluorescent Tube Light Source, Maximum Reflection Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Maximum Transmission Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Exposure Light Monitoring System."

The camera was superseded by computerized image manipulation software associated with the Automap system.

These significant and extremely high-quality Lenses were retrieved by WYCOMBE Constructions Pty Ltd during the demolishment of the camera in 1997 and then mounted on a display board.

See also Item 6189.4P for more photographs of the camera.

Physical description

Lenses from the Klimsch Commodore Cartographic Camera mounted on a very heavy timber display board. The display board contains an engraved plate that describes the technical characteristics of the camera.

Inscriptions & markings

"KLIMSCH COMMODORE CARTOGRAPHIC CAMERA 1977 - 1997", "FUNCTION: Precision Darkroom Camera especially suited for Cartographic Reproduction of Line, Continous Tone, Halftone and Colour Separation. Reproduction of Negatives and Positives from a variety of Reflection or Transmission Originals." "CHARACTERISTICS: Maximum Neg Size 1.27m sq, Copy Holder 2m sq, Maximum Enlargement 400%, Maximum Reduction 13%, Automatic 60, 90, 120cm Focal Length Lens, Transmission or Reflection Originals, Pulsed Xenon, Photo Flood or Fluorescent Tube Light Source, Maximum Reflection Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Maximum Transmission Original 1.3m x 1.85m, Exposure Light Monitoring System."