Camera, Rangefinder

Object/Artifact

Whittier Museum

Picture of an Imperial Satellite 127 camera.

Name/Title

Camera, Rangefinder

Entry/Object ID

8176.14PE

Description

Imperial Satellite 127 camera, square with viewer above lens, below lens is a lever to change lens opening from black and white setting to color, separate flash attached at top uses AG-1, M-2 or PF1 bulb, information imprinted on back of flash body giving usable distances for each bulb type and film, strap attached to sides of camera, rewind knob on bottom of camera.

Use

Used for still photography on 127 roll film, with manual aperture adjustment for color or black-and-white exposures. The detachable flash allowed for indoor or low-light photography.

Context

Produced during the mid-20th century, the Imperial Satellite 127 was a popular and affordable consumer camera marketed to amateur photographers. Its simple controls, lightweight body, and compatibility with flash bulbs made it appealing for family and vacation photography before the rise of inexpensive 35mm point-and-shoot models.

Cataloged By

Dennis Harris

Acquisition

Accession

7983.13

Source (if not Accessioned)

Ralph & Nancy Allen Estate

Notes

Gift

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Camera, Rangefinder

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Camera

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Camera Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Photographic T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 06: Tools & Equipment for Communication

Dimensions

Height

7 in

Width

3-11/16 in

Depth

2-5/8 in

Dimension Notes

With flash attached

Location

* Untyped Location

Downstairs

Date

August 3, 2025

Maintenance

Start Date

Nov 16, 2013

General Notes

Note Type

Re-cataloged from old PastPerfect files by Megan Cooper, University of Maine, Augusta Senior Student in the ILS Program.

Note

Original catalog date: 04/26/2014

Created By

Whittier Museum Volunteer

Create Date

August 3, 2025

Updated By

Whittier Museum Volunteer

Update Date

August 8, 2026