Amazing George. I have a Zeiss Super Ikonta folder, that's not quite as old as this camera.
Love the shutter speed options - 1/25-1/50 And the aperture ones too, very interesting. Great work on getting it back in shape, and when you post the results, let us know.
GeorgeBo wrote:
12 hours is too long without a post
Last month I gave a presentation to our local photo club about the history of photography, displayed some old gear, film, rangefinder, 4x5 etc and discussed some of the restoration efforts I have had in the past. Anyway... a couple weeks ago, I was contacted by the founding member of our club. Said he had something for me if I wanted it. He is not able to attend the meetings any longer so I went to pay him a visit.
He had a Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak camera (aka the Soldiers camera) that his father had in World War I. Wanted to make sure it went to someone who would take care of it. I was humbled.
The serial number correlates to being made in 1917.
This camera shoots 127 format film, has 4 shutter settings. 1/25, B, T and 1/50. Has 4 aperture settings Near View Portrait, Average View, Distant View, and Clouds/Marine. From what I have been able to search that roughly correlates to f/11, 16, 22, 32. The film was very slow and before the ISO/ASA standards were set. But the original Kodak 127 was around ISO 25/50.
The lens is fixed focus, single element meniscus. When I first got the camera I thought it was missing a front element since the aperture and shutter are exposed from the front
The camera was in rough shape. The shutter would not fire and the aperture was hard to move. The shutter is a ball bearing shutter. Really tiny ball bearings The bellows are brittle and full of pin holes but otherwise it is very structurally sound.
Since the front of the camera is open to the shutter, it was full of dust and lint. After disassembly I was able to clean it out and able to get it functional again. The meniscus lens element cleaned up perfectly as well as the tiny optical viewfinder. I was able to find a person in UK who custom makes bellows for this camera. While they are being made, I was able to make the existing bellows light tight with some very thin 3M polyester tape.
You can actually find 127 film at B&H. So I am going to go out and shoot a 107 year old camera this weekend
Thought you all would find this interesting.
Have a good weekend. Long one if you are in the US
I was away for the past week but every time I peeked during the trip there were pictures of vintage bikes Andy, you consistently keep on bringing scenes of far flung New Zealand and Australia to this thread, really appreciate it!
cadman342001 wrote:
As promised George. Plenty of Indians but very few if any Triumphs I'm afraid.
They (Triumphs) all look the same to me (I got into bikes in the late 70s early 80s in England but never owned one although a friend's dad had a Norton which is kinda the same thing right? leaked oil EVERYWHERE whenever he came out for Sunday rides to Wales) so even if they had any at the museum I probably didn't pay much attention. Lots of other old British bikes and some really really early stuff.
I also love Indians. This early Camelback from 1908 though ! 988cc v-twin in what is essentially a bicycle frame !
1936 Indian Four "Upside Down" 436 1265cc 4 cylinder (so called because the exhaust valves were in the cylinder head and the inlet valves were in the cylinder blocks, upside down compared to a conventional engine layout )
Harold Carlson wrote:
I put together a holy trinity of sorts: ais 28mm f2.8, ais 50mm f1.4 and ais 105mm f2.5. I bought them as a set to walk around with. I just got the 105mm in the mail today and took a few shots in the backyard. I'm digging the bokeh.
cadman342001 wrote:
As promised George. Plenty of Indians but very few if any Triumphs I'm afraid.
They (Triumphs) all look the same to me (I got into bikes in the late 70s early 80s in England but never owned one although a friend's dad had a Norton which is kinda the same thing right? leaked oil EVERYWHERE whenever he came out for Sunday rides to Wales) so even if they had any at the museum I probably didn't pay much attention. Lots of other old British bikes and some really really early stuff.
I also love Indians. This early Camelback from 1908 though ! 988cc v-twin in what is essentially a bicycle frame !
1936 Indian Four "Upside Down" 436 1265cc 4 cylinder (so called because the exhaust valves were in the cylinder head and the inlet valves were in the cylinder blocks, upside down compared to a conventional engine layout )
Went back for a second go-round on the honeysuckle blossoms with the 80mm f5.6 EL-Nikkor. First two are normal lens orientation to subject, next two are with the lens reversed. (I was curious about what would be the differences) D850, PB-4, light panels, BR2, step rings, 40.5 & 39mm lens hoods/shades, and between 10-22 image focus stacks.
Sorry for the troubles. How about a Techart TZM-02? Then at least you can use the lenses you have?
kwoodard wrote:
I did a fun day of shooting at a field trip with my youngest daughter’s class. I went with the 55/1.2 by itself. For the most part I did ok, but using it really pointed out how much my neuropathy is affecting my ability to be steady. I’m doing everything possible my doctor and others are recommending to stave off this process, but it’s not slowing down. I don’t have the strength to carry around a tripod and I’m no steadier with a monopod. I actually had to break down and buy an AF lens to see if that helps. I was disappointed with the shots I took with the 55/1.2 so I haven’t looked at them beyond a first glance, but I will post some this weekend. ...Show more →
Oh man, you have me itching for the coast! Love being on the pier in the dark and sometimes even catching something
AdaptedLenses wrote:
No pressure! Scott’s work was great. Coming at a good time though, big work project is finally letting up. I could use some click therapy.
35mm f/1.4 on an overcast evening. First I’ve shot in weeks it seems.
And the aperture ones too, very interesting. Great work on getting it back in shape, and when you post the results, let us know. 
leaked oil EVERYWHERE whenever he came out for Sunday rides to Wales) so even if they had any at the museum I probably didn't pay much attention. Lots of other old British bikes and some really really early stuff.
