Pioneer
Veteran
Not sure this is in the right place since this is really a 127 Folder, not a 120 Folder, but I'm sure the moderators can sort it out.
Just thought that I would post this for the fun of it. I don't shoot this camera a lot but am usually impressed when I do. This is a photograph of one of the homes in my small, desert town. It was shot with a 1902 (edit - actually 1915 style) Vest Pocket Kodak on Bluefire Murano 160 color 127 film. The lens is a meniscus lens. It always amazes me what these old cameras are capable of doing.
I have a bit of a light leak from the side where the film is loaded, but even that isn't bad considering this camera is at least 100 years old. Easily fixed if I decide to do it.
Just thought that I would post this for the fun of it. I don't shoot this camera a lot but am usually impressed when I do. This is a photograph of one of the homes in my small, desert town. It was shot with a 1902 (edit - actually 1915 style) Vest Pocket Kodak on Bluefire Murano 160 color 127 film. The lens is a meniscus lens. It always amazes me what these old cameras are capable of doing.
I have a bit of a light leak from the side where the film is loaded, but even that isn't bad considering this camera is at least 100 years old. Easily fixed if I decide to do it.
charjohncarter
Veteran
They had 127 in 1902!!!! Great image, I'm with you; old cameras do a great job the only real difference is they are slow to use. But I still would rather take my time at every step. Show us your camera.
EDIT: if you are referring to the line at the top of the image I have a few cameras that do that. I think it is some kind of internal reflection.
EDIT: if you are referring to the line at the top of the image I have a few cameras that do that. I think it is some kind of internal reflection.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
127 debuted in 1912. The camera patents may date back to 1902 though, especially the lens and ball bearing shutter. I have a meniscus lens in-shutter that is patented 1913 but the camera it came off of was produced in about 1923.
The meniscus lenses were and still are great shooters. Especially for subjects closer to infinity. They still have very high resolution and considering they are all uncoated, it's a testament to how little has been gained in photography in the last 100 years, aside for our ability to spend extraordinary amounts of money on something that does the same or only marginally better than a design a century old (I'm guilty of this.)
Phil Forrest
The meniscus lenses were and still are great shooters. Especially for subjects closer to infinity. They still have very high resolution and considering they are all uncoated, it's a testament to how little has been gained in photography in the last 100 years, aside for our ability to spend extraordinary amounts of money on something that does the same or only marginally better than a design a century old (I'm guilty of this.)
Phil Forrest
Pioneer
Veteran
Interesting Phil. I wasn't aware that the earlier VPKs used a different film. I was under the impression they all used the A127 roll film.
Learn something new everyday.
That old 7.7 Meniscus lens does work amazingly well though.
Learn something new everyday.
That old 7.7 Meniscus lens does work amazingly well though.
Jerevan
Recycled User
Really nice - I like that you included your own shadow with the hat. A bit like "Stranger comes to town" or something.
Pioneer
Veteran
Thanks. That's my Vivian Maier impersonation.
Actually, with most of my cameras the viewfinder is clear enough that I see my shadow and am usually able to avoid including it. When I use these older cameras with the brilliant viewfinders I don't notice it.
I commonly crop it out later but this picture was posted pretty much the way it came off the scanner; light leak, shadow and all.
Ranchu
Veteran
I like it, it's such a strange look.
Dwig
Well-known
Here are a couple of shots my grandfather took back in 1917-1918 while stationed at an army camp in Virginia.
Both were taken with a Vest Pocket Autographic Special. The first image was shot on A127 and was part of a series my grandfather took as illustrations for training new recruits. The text was written on the film by opening a panel on the back of the camera and writing on the back of the film in reverse.
The group shot was on "regular" 127 (non-autographic) and is a good illustration of the camera's capabilities. My grandfather processed and printed his own film at the time. I still have the camera (working condition except the lens went AWOL with some science project long ago), his contact printing frame, and a Kodak graduate that he used.
If you want, you can download a high rez (~4.2mb) version of the group shot here
Both were taken with a Vest Pocket Autographic Special. The first image was shot on A127 and was part of a series my grandfather took as illustrations for training new recruits. The text was written on the film by opening a panel on the back of the camera and writing on the back of the film in reverse.
The group shot was on "regular" 127 (non-autographic) and is a good illustration of the camera's capabilities. My grandfather processed and printed his own film at the time. I still have the camera (working condition except the lens went AWOL with some science project long ago), his contact printing frame, and a Kodak graduate that he used.
If you want, you can download a high rez (~4.2mb) version of the group shot here
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Solinar
Analog Preferred
The URL for the high res barracks group photo should be:
http://happythursday.com/dwig/PF-PostedImages/080803-01-Barracks.jpg
I really do appreciate being able to see an image shot with true Autographic film at the top.
http://happythursday.com/dwig/PF-PostedImages/080803-01-Barracks.jpg
I really do appreciate being able to see an image shot with true Autographic film at the top.
Pioneer
Veteran
Great shot Dwig. I wonder who's bed will need re-making?
I agree Andrew. I enjoy seeing the A127 used as it was intended. Wish that it could still be made.
I agree Andrew. I enjoy seeing the A127 used as it was intended. Wish that it could still be made.
Dwig
Well-known
A simple meniscus and cemented doublets have no internal glass-to-air surfaces and thus do not benefit from anti-reflection coating to any significant degree.
If you look at the group shot that I posted earlier you'll see almost no evidence of lens flare or reflections even though there are full sunlit windows directly behind the subjects. What "flare" you see on the windows is most likely halation in the film (reflections off of the front and rear surface of the film base passing back through the emulsion creating a glow). Anti-halation layers were rare, if extant, at that time.
RichL
Well-known
Interesting Phil. I wasn't aware that the earlier VPKs used a different film. I was under the impression they all used the A127 roll film.
Learn something new everyday.
That old 7.7 Meniscus lens does work amazingly well though.
As Phil said, 127 film was introduced in 1912.
127 "Autographic" was introduced in 1914 as "A127".
The first and possibly second model VPK had no trap door. There were also a couple of later models (UK Boy Scouts version for one.) without the autographic feature. Today they are nearly as rare as hens teeth.
tunalegs
Pretended Artist
I used a VPK a few years ago and it is a charming camera that delivers surprisingly good results.
Dwig
Well-known
Here's the section on the VPK and VPK Special from the Canadian Kodak Co.'s "Kodaks and Kodak Supplies / 1914" catalog. (Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33183 )
The extra ordinary popularity of the Vest Pocket Kodak is due not alone to its compactness—it is so flat and smooth and small that it will readily slip into a vest pocket—but also to the excellent quality of its pictures, whether printed by contact or enlarged.
In fact, this little camera in itself is so very desirable and of such general utility, that we furnish it with several different equipments to meet any demand.
For average photography, the camera fitted with Kodak Ball Bearing shutter and tested meniscus achromatic lens is amply efficient, for it will make excellent pictures under ordinary conditions.
For those who want the microscopic definition of the anastigmat, we offer the Vest Pocket Kodak, this year, fitted with the new Kodak Anastigmat lens. This lens works at f. 8, it is fully corrected, and made of the first quality of Jena glass. This makes a most desirable out*fit at a surprisingly low price for an anastigmat equipment.
Then for those who want not only the absolute sharpness and flatness of field, but the maximum of speed as well, we offer the camera fitted with Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat lens, f. 6.9.
The appearance of the Vest Pocket Kodak is so suggestive of quality, that it makes an ideal camera for gift purposes on holidays, birthdays, at graduation time, and such occasions. For these purposes we have devised the Kodak Gift Case shown in the illustration. The Vest Pocket Kodak in this case is fitted with Kodak Anastigmat lens, f. 8. The carrying case is of imported satin finish leather, in a shade of soft brown that is in perfect harmony with the deep blue of the handsome silk-lined container. The whole outfit possesses a quality and richness that will appeal to the most fastidious.
The Vest Pocket Kodak with any equipment is always ready for action. It is only necessary to pull out the front to its full extent, and the camera is in focus for objects at any distance. The shutter is automatic, and a convenient reversible finder, for composing the view in either horizontal or vertical position, is provided.
Another feature is the extreme simplicity in loading—nothing trappy or fussy about it. Indeed, the operation of the camera is simple in every detail, nothing in the way of simplicity or efficiency having been sacrificed in order to reduce the size.
In Detail
For rectangular pictures, 1⅝ × 2½ inches. Capacity, 8 exposures without reloading. Size of Kodak, 1 × 2⅜ × 4¾ inches. Weight, 9 ounces. Lens, regular, meniscus achromatic, 3-inch focus. Special, Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat f. 6.9, or Kodak Anastigmat f. 8. Shutter, Kodak Ball Bearing No. 0. Brilliant reversible finder. All metal body, black enamel finish and black leather bellows.
The Price
Vest Pocket Kodak, meniscus achromatic lens and Kodak Ball Bearing shutter $7.00
Vest Pocket Kodak with Kodak Anastigmat lens f. 8 and Kodak Ball Bearing shutter 13.50
Kodak Gift Case, includes Vest Pocket Kodak with Kodak Anastigmat lens f. 8, imported satin finish leather case and silk-lined container 16.50
Vest Kodak, Special, Zeiss Kodak anastigmat lens, and Kodak Ball Bearing shutter 22.50
Leather Case for Vest Pocket Kodak .75
Grain Leather Case for Vest Pocket Kodak Special 1.50
Imported Satin Finish Leather Case 3.00
Hand Bag for Vest Pocket Kodak .25
De Luxe bag, suede calfskin, long straps 1.75
N. C. Film Cartridge, 8 exposures, 1⅝ × 2½ (No. 127) .20
Kodak Portrait Attachment .50
________________
It appears that the Autographic model wasn't available in Canada at the time this catalog was published.
____________________________
Vest Pocket Kodak
Vest Pocket Kodak
The extra ordinary popularity of the Vest Pocket Kodak is due not alone to its compactness—it is so flat and smooth and small that it will readily slip into a vest pocket—but also to the excellent quality of its pictures, whether printed by contact or enlarged.
In fact, this little camera in itself is so very desirable and of such general utility, that we furnish it with several different equipments to meet any demand.
For average photography, the camera fitted with Kodak Ball Bearing shutter and tested meniscus achromatic lens is amply efficient, for it will make excellent pictures under ordinary conditions.
For those who want the microscopic definition of the anastigmat, we offer the Vest Pocket Kodak, this year, fitted with the new Kodak Anastigmat lens. This lens works at f. 8, it is fully corrected, and made of the first quality of Jena glass. This makes a most desirable out*fit at a surprisingly low price for an anastigmat equipment.
Then for those who want not only the absolute sharpness and flatness of field, but the maximum of speed as well, we offer the camera fitted with Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat lens, f. 6.9.
The appearance of the Vest Pocket Kodak is so suggestive of quality, that it makes an ideal camera for gift purposes on holidays, birthdays, at graduation time, and such occasions. For these purposes we have devised the Kodak Gift Case shown in the illustration. The Vest Pocket Kodak in this case is fitted with Kodak Anastigmat lens, f. 8. The carrying case is of imported satin finish leather, in a shade of soft brown that is in perfect harmony with the deep blue of the handsome silk-lined container. The whole outfit possesses a quality and richness that will appeal to the most fastidious.
The Vest Pocket Kodak with any equipment is always ready for action. It is only necessary to pull out the front to its full extent, and the camera is in focus for objects at any distance. The shutter is automatic, and a convenient reversible finder, for composing the view in either horizontal or vertical position, is provided.
Another feature is the extreme simplicity in loading—nothing trappy or fussy about it. Indeed, the operation of the camera is simple in every detail, nothing in the way of simplicity or efficiency having been sacrificed in order to reduce the size.
In Detail
For rectangular pictures, 1⅝ × 2½ inches. Capacity, 8 exposures without reloading. Size of Kodak, 1 × 2⅜ × 4¾ inches. Weight, 9 ounces. Lens, regular, meniscus achromatic, 3-inch focus. Special, Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat f. 6.9, or Kodak Anastigmat f. 8. Shutter, Kodak Ball Bearing No. 0. Brilliant reversible finder. All metal body, black enamel finish and black leather bellows.
The Price
Vest Pocket Kodak, meniscus achromatic lens and Kodak Ball Bearing shutter $7.00
Vest Pocket Kodak with Kodak Anastigmat lens f. 8 and Kodak Ball Bearing shutter 13.50
Kodak Gift Case, includes Vest Pocket Kodak with Kodak Anastigmat lens f. 8, imported satin finish leather case and silk-lined container 16.50
Vest Kodak, Special, Zeiss Kodak anastigmat lens, and Kodak Ball Bearing shutter 22.50
Leather Case for Vest Pocket Kodak .75
Grain Leather Case for Vest Pocket Kodak Special 1.50
Imported Satin Finish Leather Case 3.00
Hand Bag for Vest Pocket Kodak .25
De Luxe bag, suede calfskin, long straps 1.75
N. C. Film Cartridge, 8 exposures, 1⅝ × 2½ (No. 127) .20
Kodak Portrait Attachment .50
________________
It appears that the Autographic model wasn't available in Canada at the time this catalog was published.
Dwig
Well-known
VPK, The Soldier's Camera
VPK, The Soldier's Camera
I just stumbled upon this post about "The Soldier's Camera". It's a great description of the "life and times" of the VPK, in its various configurations.
http://blog.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/2014/03/13/the-vest-pocket-kodak-was-the-soldiers-camera/
VPK, The Soldier's Camera
I just stumbled upon this post about "The Soldier's Camera". It's a great description of the "life and times" of the VPK, in its various configurations.
http://blog.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/2014/03/13/the-vest-pocket-kodak-was-the-soldiers-camera/