Bellows of ancient creatures. . .

<p>. . . as they fight in the primaeval swamps? No, the second installment in the "Pictures with old cameras" series: two Kodak folders.</p><div></div>

<p>On the right, the first one I acquired: a No. 1 Kodak Jr. Autographic. It was given to me by a friend because I still used film cameras and therefore might do something with this hand-me-down from a great-aunt. We now have choices: two shutter speeds, 1/50 and 1/25 (plus T and B); four lens openings, 1 through 4 (which I measure roughly as f/13, 17, 24 and 40); and three focus settings, 8, 25 and 100 feet. And they all work! What impressed me most at the time (I was shooting mainly 35mm in the fall of 2010) was the size of the negative, 6x9cm. That's a lot of real estate. But we can't assume that it immediately translates to huge enlargements: the lens is a single meniscus. Also, the focal length is about 120mm; by a rule of thumb from my old days, that means any hand-held photos should be done at 1/120 second or faster--which is not available. Of course, the original reason for such a large negative was to have reasonably-sized pictures without enlarging.</p>

<p>At the time I acquired the Autographic (which still has the autographic stylus!) I was working away from home, without my references and bits and pieces. I did some research on the net, found that it should take 116 film, and ordered some from Film for Classics (I think they re-roll 70mm cinema film). Only to find it didn't fit! This camera takes 120, which makes things a lot easier. I set out to run some film through the machine, with results below.</p><div></div>

<p>This is the Achilles' Heel of folders: the bellows. Leather deteriorates with time, leading to light leaks. This is the only recognizable frame on the roll. And as I tried to fix the leaks with liquid tape, they only got worse.</p><div></div>

<p>It's a real shame, because the rest of the camera is still in good shape. As I pulled the Autographic out for the family portrait a couple of weeks ago, it seemed even more of a shame. I've asked Turner Bellows, up in Rochester, for a quote on a remanufactured bellows. Of course Kodak cameras were not really made for major repairs; the front plate is riveted together, not screwed, for instance. But it might be worthwhile.<br>

Now I had several rolls of 116 film sitting on the shelf staring at me. I finally broke down and bought the other folder, a No. 2A Folding Autographic Brownie (maybe similar to the one Glen Herrmannsfeldt mentioned in the other thread). Its bellows are fine; but it has no viewfinder, only one shutter speed works, the focus fitting (to keep it in place) is missing, and one of the film rollers is gone (so the film gets scratched). I did get several pictures from it, but they won't fit in my film scanner. I have no plans to do more 116 photography.</p>

<p>Here is a scan of one frame from a contact sheet. The No. 2A definitely has a panoramic format.</p><div></div>

<p>I had a Kodak Jr. a few years ago with a Rapid Rectilinear lens, the bellows were in good shape, although they had been patched at one time before I got the camera. I believe mine actually stated plainly on itself that it needed 120 film.<br>

Sometimes you can find NOS replacement bellows for these on ebay. A few years ago I bought several when they came up (I've modified them for use on other 6x9 folders).</p>

<p>Here's my Kodak bellows - a classic No. 3 Folding Brownie. I think it took 3.25x4.25" 124 Film.<br>

Never likely to shoot it, I'm afraid.</p><div></div>

<p>Nice to see you having a go though, these cameras need to be used, and it's great to hear people say.."surely you can't still get film for that"</p>

<p>I lucked out and found out my next door neighbour has a photo processing outfit. I hope to buy it from him after I get my truck fixed and I can spring some cash. There's always the possibility of cutting down some 4x5 sheet film and loading the camera in a darkroom. Once the film is developed, you can trim it down to 6 cm and scan it as a panoramic. </p>

I have the Kodak vigilant 616 and have repaired al the leaks in the bellows (significant amount of liquid tape). It also had a rivet missing

from one of the side arms involved in the folding process. Apparently this rivet has a squar shaft. I bought an appropriate size rivet and

filed it square so it fit perfectly. However getting a good position to blunt it from is bad at best and now another rivet became dislodged. Of

course replacing these rivets is achievable but I do have to step back and devise or machine a tool that will allow to apply proper force

and vector. Just hope that all this manipulation doesn't cause more damage to bellows. But I am looking forward to using it soon, at least

to produce som pictures if not photographs

<p>and it's great to hear people say.."surely you can't still get film for that"<br>

<br>

Yes, the interesting thing about 120 cameras, some now over 100 years old, is that you can still get new film. <br>

<br>

But older, and still in working condition, film is available for most sizes on the popular auction site. I have some VP122 and VP116. I brought my Autographic 1A (without autographic film) to my son's college graduation and a roll of about 25 year old VP116. Pictures came out just fine, though only contact prints as I don't have an enlarger that big. (But I can scan the prints!) And yes, the autographic stylus was lost before I got the camera from my grandfather in 1968. I have more rolls of VP116 and two rolls of C116 that I believe were kept frozen.</p>

 

<p>Glad to see you found a way to use that 116 film. BTW the first pic looked familiar. Have you confirmed pinholes in bellows? I think this type of leak is consistent with the ruby windows. Covering with tape and opening/winding in shaded light might help. <br>

I think all folders are great fun.... I too have a Kodak No 1A 116 Autographic. I shotsome C116 back in 1986 or so but since then less than serious attempts to use 120 film have fallen flat .<br>

I have a later Kodak Junior 616 of inferior build quality. The bellows are shot ... those pinholes created some interesting negatives.. useless.. but still on hand hahaaa.<br>

I found the longer negative (panoramic?) interesting. A few years ago a machinist fellow Minh Nguyen http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=1599716 had rebuilt some of these better 116s and 124s to use 120 film. Camera Hacking :)<br>

http://www.photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00N9OF --> check out these results!<br>

@ Donald " but I do have to step back and devise or machine a tool that will allow to apply proper force and vector." ... me too...Hahha and this is why I never get anything done !!</p><p> </p>

Yeah, and if I ever put up a picture oft work bench I would never be able to post on this site again.

<p>Should be picture of my work bench</p>