The Cyclops is a medium format (nominal 6x17cm, actual 58x150mm) swing lens panoramic camera, giving four exposures on a 120 roll, or eight on 220. Made by Double W, Inc. of Gulliver, MI in the early 1990's it is one of the rarer examples of the type.

Cyclops camera top plate. From left to right: film spool retainer, speed control, shutter tension knob, bubble level at the back, aperture control at the front, accessory shoe, frame counter, film advance knob.

There were at least two models of the camera. The first has fixed focus, shutter 'speeds' of 1/60th and 1/125th second, and apertures of f8 to f45. The manual admits that the image is soft at f8, and claims 15' to infinity focus at f11. From inspection of the lens, f8 is probably the maximum aperture. Assuming the usual medium format circle of confusion of 0.07mm, that would indicate an 80mm lens focused at around 27'. The focal length is borne out by measuring the radius of the camera back. For contact prints or 2x enlargements, that is probably adequate, though f16 to f22 would be better. Obviously a camera for use in good light only, and with medium to fast film.

Film advance is by counter, though there is no film stop. Since there is no red window, this allows the use of 220 film. Double exposures are possible, so with a static subject and a really solid tripod it might be possible to make multiple exposures in lower light.

The second model has extra markings on the controls, a modified aperture control, and a basic focus system that altered the lens to film distance inside the camera.

Both cameras are about as basic as they come - plastic shells around the lens and swing mechanism. The angle of view is approximately 110^o. They do have a circular bubble level and an accessory shoe. The bubble level is essential for leveling the camera. There is no provision for aligning the camera for verticals, but a twin axis shoe-mount level can be used instead. The shoe cannot be used for flash, since there is no synchronisation and the shutter operates like a focal plane type at higher speeds and only illuminates a slit at any time. The link to the later model above shows an optical viewfinder mounted. The style suggests it came from the same manufacturer.

The mechanism is clockwork - spring tension and a geared release. This type of mechanism can suffer from slow or uneven travel. The camera does need to be secured during the exposure, since the mechanism induces perceptible torque.

Front view showing the rotating lens mount in the centre. Note that there is no provision for filters on this camera, though gelatins could be taped in front of the lens mount.

View of the rear of the camera with the back removed. Film take-up is on the left. The lens mount is visible in the centre. There are film rollers at each end of the film path. There are no guide rails, just the trough. There is no pressure plate and the camera relies on the lateral stiffness of the film and the tension of the film spools to maintain the film position.