This draft is within the scope of WikiProject Photography, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of photography on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.PhotographyWikipedia:WikiProject PhotographyTemplate:WikiProject PhotographyPhotography
This draft is within the scope of WikiProject Technology, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of technology on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.TechnologyWikipedia:WikiProject TechnologyTemplate:WikiProject TechnologyTechnology
This article covers the Akeley camera, a 35mm motion picture camera designed by Carl Akeley and manufactured by the Akeley Camera Company (later Akeley Cinema Inc.) from the mid-1910s through mid-century. I originally created the page in mainspace by mistake and it was moved to draft; it has since been substantially expanded and sourced.
I initially considered making this a company page rather than a camera page, as it was unclear whether Akeley Cinema produced one continuous model or distinct models over the years. Based on the sources I've found, the "Pancake" was essentially one design that went through iterative refinements (early open-body loading replaced by cassette loading, updated viewfinder patented in 1918, revised tripod and head designs through the late 1920s) rather than a series of distinct camera models. Only about 400 units were ever produced. For this reason the article is structured around the camera itself, with production history as a section, which also matches the approach taken by the French Wikipedia article (fr:Caméra Akeley). If sources emerge showing distinct models that warrant separate coverage, the structure could be revisited.
Several existing Wikipedia articles reference the Akeley camera without a corresponding English-language page; I am adding links to this draft accordingly. Erik.roger.fuller (talk) 23:18, 30 March 2026 (UTC)Reply
Latest comment: 2 months ago1 comment1 person in discussion
This page is not unambiguously promotional, because this camera had a big effect on early documentary fillmaking, and i have found references to it in a few different places, including famous paul strand photograph and the first indonesian film —Preceding unsigned comment added by Erik.roger.fuller (talk • contribs) 16:34, 30 March 2026 (UTC)Reply