Help with Kodak Autographic

[MazG]

Hi,
I know it's not a RF but it is a folder so I'm hoping to get some help.

I recently came into possession of my grandfather's Kodak 1A Autographic Junior camera. It's in bad shape and I doubt will be usable, even though the shutter fires and all the movable parts actually move.

The camera is filthy. The leather is dirty (I'm assuming I can use a leather cleaner). There is some metal exposed where the leather has peeled and the viewfinder is opaque! I'd like to know whether it is possible to clean the metal (maybe to give it a bit of a sparkle 😉 ) and whether it is possible to clean the viewfinder (and what with?).

There seem to be two pieces missing. The front cover as the Kodak "pull" which acts as the stand but there is a circular hole that looks like it has a thread. What went here?

Also on the back there is a circular hole and I can see partially into the film chamber. What went here? A cover?

How do I open the film chamber. I don't want to break anything trying.

 

[leikonic]

Hi,

Perhaps this will help:

1. Leather conditioner/cleaner will work as will a liitle black polish (sparingly applied).

2. The exposed metal (on the back) is normally aluminum which can be polished if you are not concerned about "authenticity".

3. If the viewfinder is opaque it is likely that the silvering on the back of the prism has deteriorated and that it will require replacement. The viewfinders are generally attached with a machine screw so replacement is simple if you find another 1A.

4. The circular hole on the front is for mounting on a tripod when the cover is opened. This allows a "vertical" format photo, while the threaded tripod hole on the side allows for a "horizontal" format photo. The cross shaped viewfinder is intended to cover these two formats, just rotate it 90 degrees when the camera is on its' "side".

5. The circular hole on the back used to contain a small red celluloid disc that allowed one to see the exposure number on the paper backing of the film without allowing enough light through to expose the film.

6. To open the film chamber grasp the two crescent shaped "buttons" on the sides of the camera, pushing in while lifting the cover outwards.


I've restored a couple of No 1 Autographics -they use 120 film and can be used if the bellows are in good shape. Replacement bellows can still be found. The Autographic 1A uses 116 film which must be purchased from a specialty supplier.

Faded red celluloid "windows" can be restored with a few drops of red "stained glass" lacquer.

The 1A frequently shows up for "auction" on a popular site, often selling for less than $20 and some are in remarkable condition. Your could use that as a source to restore your Grandfather's camera.

Best Regards,

Dave K

 

[puderse]

Saving family antiques

Saving family antiques

I came into a stash of NOS Kodak replacement bellows and have been re-habilitating these Edwardian 120 Kodaks for a while. Some of the cameras that use other film formats than 120 (especially 620 cameras) are good sources of spares. Kiwi and Flitz seem to clean up these low tech folders and by exchanging parts one can come up with quite usable cameras. I understand the part about it being a family camera and the cost and hassle of repair being irrelevant. I have bought good parts cameras and leather cases for my projects for as little as $0.25 at garage sales, one never knows!

 

[Frank Lambert]

Autographic 1A Junior

Dave and the rest pretty much said it all but, I thought I would add a little more.... I just took a look at "the bay" and there are nine of those on there right now. There is one that has about two days left on the auction and it is at $0.99 now.... anyway it could yield some parts for you. I bought one about a month ago for $17 and it's almost mint.... My point is: You should be able to get your Grandfathers camera back in the condition it deserves.... Good luck.
Frank

 

[bcostin]

The finder mirror in my No. 1 Autographic Jr. was also almost completely desilvered. I have a few finders from other parts cameras but none fit quite right. I made a new "mirror" by scribing out a small square from an old CD and filing the edges until it fit snugly in place of the old mirror. There's a bit of rainbow diffraction from the CD's surface, as you'd expect, but it doesn't interefere with framing.

I'd intended for this to be a temporary repair until I could find a bit of highly polished metal. Surprisingly it works well enough that I'll probably leave it be.

 

[puderse]

Try cutting a mirror out of a discarded make-up compact.

 

[FallisPhoto]

The finder mirror in my No. 1 Autographic Jr. was also almost completely desilvered. I have a few finders from other parts cameras but none fit quite right. I made a new "mirror" by scribing out a small square from an old CD and filing the edges until it fit snugly in place of the old mirror. There's a bit of rainbow diffraction from the CD's surface, as you'd expect, but it doesn't interefere with framing.

I'd intended for this to be a temporary repair until I could find a bit of highly polished metal. Surprisingly it works well enough that I'll probably leave it be.

They sell metal mirrors pretty much anywhere they sell camping supplies. Just cut the shape you want out of one of them.