The Kodak Signet 35 is a rangefinder camera. It was manufactured by Eastman Kodak from 1951 to 1958. The original price of the Signet was 95 US dollars. It is the first, of the five, members of the Signet series. In 1956 the Kodak Signet 40 was introduced as its successor.
The camera, designed by Arthur Hunt Crapsey, comes with a high-quality body made of a thick, cast, machined aluminum piece. In addition to the standard Signet, two other versions were produced for the USAF (United States Air Force) and U.S. Army in black and olive green.
The lens of the 35mm photo camera is fixed. The manufacturer’s designation of the lens is “Kodak Ektar 44mm f/3.5” and is based on the Tessar formula. The focal length is 44mm and the largest aperture of the lens is f/3.5. The photo camera has no autofocus. The lens is focused manually. The built-in rangefinder helps to focus. The closest focusing distance of the lens is 61 cm (2 feet).
Exposure is not measured by the Kodak Signet 35. An external light meter is therefore useful for setting the aperture and shutter speed. If you do not have a light meter at hand, there is a calculator on the back. This is made up of two small sliders that display suggested exposure settings depending on lighting conditions.
The Kodak Synchro 300 shutter has to be wound manually before release. The shutter speeds can be selected between 1/300 s, 1/100 s, 1/50 s and 1/25 s. A bulb mode is available for long time exposures.
The camera has a thread for a tripod and cable release. A flash can also be connected to the camera. For this purpose there is an ASA thread on the shutter of the camera. This thread was developed before the standard PC flash connection. The 35mm camera does not need electricity for taking pictures.
Films for the Kodak Signet 35
In the Kodak Signet 35, photographic film is exposed, or more precisely, 35mm film. 35 mm films are still being produced today. They can be developed in most laboratories. Beautiful films for black and white or color images are the Ilford FP4 Plus* and the Kodak Ultramax 400*.
The color film is a negative film and is processed in the C-41 development process. This development process is available at almost every photo lab. The development of a 35mm color film is possible at most drugstore chains in Germany, for example.
The exposure area of the Kodak Signet 35 has a size of 24 mm x 36 mm. As a rule, 36 exposures are possible per film (135-36). There is no automatic film transport. The film must be rewound by hand.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 44 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/3.5 |
| Minimum focus distance | 61 cm / 2.0008 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Exposure times | 1/300 second to 1/25 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | ASA mount |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| Country of production | USA |
| End of production | 1958 |
| Production duration | 7 years |
| Estimated value / Used price | 177,87 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 4 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of May 18, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 184,50 Euro (199.16 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 196,00 Euro (212.15 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 247,84 Euro (267.35 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Kodak Signet 35
Is the Kodak Signet 35 a rangefinder camera and how does it focus?
Yes, the Kodak Signet 35 is a rangefinder camera. It uses a manual focus system with a built-in rangefinder to help you achieve sharp focus. There is no autofocus.
What kind of lens does this camera have, and what's its aperture?
It has a fixed Kodak Ektar 44mm f/3.5 lens. The 'f/3.5' is the maximum aperture, meaning how much light the lens lets in. This is a fairly standard lens for 35mm cameras.
How do I control the exposure settings on my camera?
The camera doesn't have a built-in light meter. You'll need a separate light meter to determine the correct aperture and shutter speed settings, or use the approximation calculator on the back of the camera.
What type of film does the camera use and how many shots can I take?
It uses standard 35mm film. You can typically take 36 shots per roll, but you have to advance the film manually; there's no automatic film advance.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, the Kodak Signet 35 has a flash connection. It uses an older ASA thread, not the modern PC sync. Remember to manually adjust your settings to accommodate the flash.