No. 1A Pocket Kodak

[Chris Dodkin]

Here's another collectable from the camera shelf in my office - a No. 1A Pocket Kodak.

This is a folding camera, and made 2 ½×4 ¼ " exposures on type 116 film.

It was manufactured from 1926 to 1932.

This one is somewhat worn, although the shutter appears to work, and the bellows look in decent shape.

Viewfinder

Embossed Leather Case

Shutter Mech

Shutter + Viewfinder

 

[Brian Moore]

Great shots, Chris. I love the old cameras. I really like the image of the finder. Looks like its reflecting someone's hands in prayer.

 

[Pete Askew]

It does doesn't it (maybe we can even hear the words, "... and please don't let him buy any more old cameras!" ).

Nice mini picture review Chris. Love the touches of rust. All we need now is a follow-up with some shots made using it!!

 

[Brian Moore]

maybe we can even hear the words, "... and please don't let him buy any more old cameras!"

lol. Nice one, Pete. I know for sure my wife prays for such relief regularly.

On Flickr there's a vintage camera group and one if the threads is asking "What's your oldest working camera?" At the time I first saw that thread my oldest was a 1949 Konica I. I've since acquired a few that are a little older. What about you, Pete and Chris,...(and anybody else that wants to chime in)...what's your oldest working camera?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Brian and Pete - and well spotted - that's my hand in the reflection, providing some shade to add contrast to the shot

As to swmbo - she came home as I was taking these shots, and as soon as she saw me with the Fuji on a tripod, she asked if I'd bought another #@#@#$#@$$ camera

Now, when you say 'working', does that mean that you have to put film through it?

There's a guy online who's put 120 film through his Kodak, and had great results

Photography & Vintage Cameras: No.1A Pocket Kodak

 

[Brian Moore]

Yeah, Chris,...By "working" I meant a camera you could run film through and get an image.

I forgot to mention my oldest working camera: Kodak Hawkeye Cartridge Model C from 1926-32 (no way to tell exact year of manufacture). I also have a pre-WWII (about '38 I think) Voigtlander Bessa and a Balda "Micky Rollbox" from 1934, although I'm not sure how well it works as I just ran a roll of 1970 color 127 film through it last weekend and I haven't developed it yet.

 

[Pete Askew]

Well, oldest camera that works and that I have shot with would be the 1947 Speed Graphic I guess (http://www.realphotographersforum.com/film-conventional-cameras/4140-1947-speed-graphic.html). The lens on the DIY camera with its functioning shutter is about 1920 (http://www.realphotographersforum.c...format-paper-negative-diy-camera-project.html) and, given it shoots onto sheet film / paper, I guess that could be a contender. I also have a lens made in 1840 ready to go on the DIY camera! It doesn't use a shutter, just a cap.

 

[Brian Moore]

I also have a lens made in 1840 ready to go on the DIY camera! It doesn't use a shutter, just a cap.

Magic! I'd love to see some images taken through that lens someday Pete.

 

[Pete Askew]

Hopefully in a few weeks when I'm back in Germany. It just needs a mount and I've already worked out how to do that.

 

[Lesley Jones]

What a beautiful camera! I couldn't see these from work in my lunch break - that goes for all your images Chris. I don't know why. My oldest working camera is the 1940 Leica IIIb. Until recently my workhorse was my 1980 OM2n. I wouldn't swap them for all the tea in China

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Lesley - suspect your work IT police have a block on Flickr or something - that's where the images are hosted now

 

[Milan Vjestica]

Nice camera Chris. I have an old Zeis Ikon that is very similar and takes 120 film. It never gets used thoug. Last time, about 10 years ago, it still worked.