Dyna Metric KS-123A Military Large Format Camera System Film Magazine P/N 31100

Dyna Metric KS-123A Military Large Format Camera System Film Magazine P/N 31100

The Dyna Metric KS-123A is a U.S. military large format camera system manufactured by Dyna Metric, Inc. of Pasadena, California. Designed and procured under U.S. government contract, this system is marked "U.S. Property" and was built to military specification for photographic documentation, reconnaissance support, or other official imaging applications requiring large format film capture. The system includes its film magazine assembly, vacuum control, and heating element — components that together enable stable, precision film exposure in demanding field conditions.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Dyna Metric, Inc., Pasadena, CA
• Designation: KS-123A Camera System (marked "U.S. Property")
• Part Number: 31100
• Federal Stock Number: 2VH6720-111-5930
• Contract Number: F42600-75-C0614
• Film Magazine: Included
• Vacuum Control Assembly: Included
• Heating Element: Included
• Hard Shell Military Transit and Storage Case: Included — foam-lined interior, metal latches and handles, folding stand legs visible
• Camera body: white molded housing with film transport and lens/shutter mechanism visible in case
• Data plate affixed to case exterior with full U.S. government procurement markings

Applications

The KS-designation series of cameras was used by U.S. military branches for photographic documentation, technical intelligence, and ground or airborne reconnaissance support during the Cold War era and beyond. The KS-123A was procured in the mid-1970s (contract date F42600-75-C0614), placing it firmly in the 1970s generation of U.S. military film camera systems. Large format military cameras of this type were used to capture high-resolution still imagery for mapping, surveillance documentation, equipment inspection records, and technical reporting — applications where large film negative size delivered significantly more detail than smaller formats. The integrated vacuum control holds film flat against the film plane during exposure to maximize sharpness, and the heating element maintains operating temperature in cold-environment field deployments. Today, complete KS-series camera systems with original cases and components are sought by military surplus collectors, photographic historians, and institutional archives. The transit case and government procurement markings make this a well-documented, traceable example of mid-1970s U.S. military photographic equipment.