Celestron 5-1/2" f/1.65 Schmidt Camera

I purchased my first Celestron Schmidt camera back around 1975 and used it on and off for a few years before it went into storage after a move. I eventually sold it and have often regretted it, feeling that I never got close to its full potential. Back at the time I didn't have the quality mount and other equipment I really needed to take the detailed, sharp images it's capable of. Then one day a few years ago I stumbled across another one for sale online at a very reasonable price and nostalgia took hold, so I'm once again the proud owner of a 5-1/2" Schmidt. Now, what to do with it.
The camera is in good shape. There aren't any big dings or scratches and the optics look good. The only bad spots in the paint are on the door. I think there may have been something glued to it at one time. It probably came from a college or the like and there may have been a property tag on it.
The specification label on top of the camera. These cameras were made back when the company was still Celestron Pacific.

The aluminum lens cover has tape wrapped around it inside and out, to make it fit more snuggly on the front.
The corrector plate is clean and undamaged.
In the center of the spider vane assembly are magnets to hold the film holder in place. The spider is mounted to three Invar rods (two visible in photo) that connect to the mirror cell and keep the film plane in focus.
The two pieces on the left are two of the three pieces provided to mount the camera atop a Celestron C-8. These two pieces mounted on the camera. The rectangular bar with an elongated screw slot and matching pin hole, that mounted on the front of the C-8, is missing.

In the second row at top is a film holder for cut film and it still has a film chip in it. I wonder if it was ever exposed? Below the film holder is a plastic case containing a clip-on filter for this holder.
Film holders are not interchangeable between cameras. Each holder is specifically made for a single camera and even holders for use with filters are fined tuned to account for how much the filter changes focus. There's also a film holder that uses roll film shown on the right in the photo.
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​In the third row are two film cranks for the roll film holder. This film holder also has a screw on filter that I'm not familiar with and I'll have to read up on it.
This picture from the manual shows the camera mounted on a C-8. The missing part for mounting the camera is part "A". Also I remember having the counter weights labeled "C", but I don't remember if they came with the camera, or had to be ordered separate.
The camera came packed in a small trunk carry case. Someone has broken the center lock off and some of the foam in it needs replaced after 45+ years, but otherwise it's still in good shape.
Page created 5/30/2023
​Last updated 6/3/2023