Kodak Vest Pocket Camera-Early 1900s

This is an interesting link, showing what the lens can do:-

http://vpk.staff.shef.ac.uk/page13.html

at the bottom of the page are three links to give the background to the photo's and how the lenses were modified to fit a digital.

I've lost count of all the VPK variations but the catalogues from Kodak (from the beginning) have been scanned and can be seen here:-

http://www.kodakcollector.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=32

and here:-

http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogsekc.htm

and here's a couple of my little toys:-

Kodak%20VPK%2001.jpg


Regards, David
 
I missed this thread the first time around.

I have one... Well, it was my grandma's. I remember fooling around with it (and shooting maybe one or two rolls) back in Jr. High which was late-70s. It sat in a closet ever since until last year! I put it back in service and have shot a couple rolls. Fortunately the bellows are good! This is a 20s-era "Model B" where the front door hinges open and the lens and shutter slide out on a rail. The viewfinder is fussy and hard to frame accurately but if I take my time (and preferably use a tripod) the camera shoots perfectly acceptable photos with a great retro look to them.

TA2L1r.jpg
 
KVP Autographic dating from 1917-1921, sadly with badly holed bellows.

41366813251_6ce0634fdb_c.jpg

40471638055_f789601cd0_c.jpg


(Kodak and their obssesion with patents; sometimes you buy more like an index of their patents with a camera hidden under)
 
I inherited a couple of rolls worth of 127 nitrate film, shot by my grandfather in late 1917 as he trained for deployment to Europe. Aside from the content, what fascinates me the most is seeing 127 images in something other than square format.

Here are a few images from the collection.
 

Attachments

  • ~1917_0011.jpg
    ~1917_0011.jpg
    31.8 KB · Views: 0
  • ~1917_0014-1.jpg
    ~1917_0014-1.jpg
    35.7 KB · Views: 0
  • ~1917_b_0005.jpg
    ~1917_b_0005.jpg
    19.7 KB · Views: 0
I like the larger format autographics that produced an image that is now considered large format. I wish, among wishes, that we could find modern emulsions in old 122, 123 and 126 formats. I would be shooting that stuff almost exclusively if I could.
As for the later 127 vest pocket camera, I know of one in a drawer at a junk store that I may pick up. It has a good looking bellows and I'm a tinkerer so maybe I'll stick a roll of 135 in there after a creative respool.

Phil Forrest
 
I love those photo's, they show what can be squeezed out of old cameras.

It's interesting to see the smaller Houghton's "Ensignette" beside the VPK and the Leica;-

Large%20Medium%20and%20Small-L.jpg


The Ensignette appeared in 1909 and the VPK in 1914.

I've a few of each and would like to try them out but the problem, as usual, is the bellows and the obsolescent film sizes. Kodak honoured the Ensignette by making film for it even though no Kodak camera used E28 or 128 film.

It would be nice to stumble across a VPK with the CZ Tessar or an Ensignette with the Goerz lens fitted; at a reasonable price, that is!

Regards, David
 
I hope to buy an Enseignette one day, but I think it would be almost impossible to use it. Maybe someone could do an adapter to other kinds of format... At least the VPK could still be used, with present 127 (Rerapan 400), or cut down 120, or even 35mm spooled into 127 spools & backpaper (that last one I have to try one day).
 
Ups!!! I've seen there's a latter 1923 Vest Pocket Ensign, an Ensignette adapted to 127 format! To the "to buy" list!
 
dave lackey said:
David,

128 film? How does that compare with 127 film?:confused:
Click to expand...


Hi,

This should do the trick:-


Spools-L.jpg


On the left 120, then 127 and E28 or 128; the brass thing is the spool holder and (I think) clips around the take up spool.

Frame size is about 56 x 36 mm and the film looks like 45mm wide. Measured on an early one and six exposures per film; size 2¼" by 1½" according to the catalogue...

Edit: so the aspect ratio is 14:9 which is interesting...

Regards, David
 
Nice to see this thread pop up again.

I've shot a few rolls of Rerapan 100 over the last few years, but never really liked the results I got with the VPK with rapid-rectilinear until I discovered recently (while doing a CLA on it) that the rear lens element had been unscrewed at some point and not screwed back all the way in.
That would certainly explain the soft center in my images I got with it.

Need to source some fresh 127 (or trim and respool some 120) again to test it properly.

I've got 3 different version of the VPK in my collection these days. Just need to fix the bellows on two of them.


Interesting film size on the Ensignette there, David. But I think I'm having enough trouble with 620 and 127 to get into another rare format. ;)
 
Mr_Flibble said:
Nice to see this thread pop up again.

I've shot a few rolls of Rerapan 100 over the last few years, but never really liked the results I got with the VPK with rapid-rectilinear until I discovered recently (while doing a CLA on it) that the rear lens element had been unscrewed at some point and not screwed back all the way in.
That would certainly explain the soft center in my images I got with it.

Need to source some fresh 127 (or trim and respool some 120) again to test it properly.

I've got 3 different version of the VPK in my collection these days. Just need to fix the bellows on two of them.


Interesting film size on the Ensignette there, David. But I think I'm having enough trouble with 620 and 127 to get into another rare format. ;)
Click to expand...

Haha... it seems I have too much 127 film at the moment! To keep the Ilford annual program alive this year, I committed to three 50' rolls of HP5+ of 127 film. I really need to sell two of those!!!!

:eek:
 
I don't think I shoot enough in this format between the VPKs and the Kodak Graphic No.0, to justify buying a bulk roll of the stuff :(
 
Mr_Flibble said:
I don't think I shoot enough in this format between the VPKs and the Kodak Graphic No.0, to justify buying a bulk roll of the stuff :(
Click to expand...

Ha! I understand, and I am awaiting Spring to get busy shooting the Baby Rolleiflex. I need to shoot at least one roll each week.

It really is a learned habit these days for me. If I can just get outdoors more often with only the BR with me, it should be easy and developing will be easier with that mindset too.

I really enjoy seeing the VPK images in the meantime!!!:):):)
 
If I had a Baby Rolleiflex (or another 4x4 TLR) I'd probably reconsider.


Let me dig out some of my last VPK photos...including a light leak ;)

Huis Doorn Living History Festival 2016 (Rerapan 100)

HD160545.jpg



HD160546.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom