Kodak No. 4 Cartridge Manual

[timothy_larson3]

<p>I recently acquired a very nice Kodak No. 4 Cartridge camera to learn to shoot large format - 4x5. Not wanting anything too extravagant.<br>

<br />I understand the basics of operating the camera, but I would like to locate a copy of the manual that would have come with this camera if only to be more educated. </p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated!</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>Very doubtful you will ever find an instruction manual.<br>

Google search: Kodak No. 4 Cartridge= https://www.google.com/search?q=Kodak+No.+4+Cartridge+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 <br>

(highlight from https to the end then copy/paste into a new browser window or tab)<br>

on page 2 a Buktus link for Kodak manuals has the best description under the Bicycle Cameras catalog:<br>

http://www.cameramanuals.org/kodak_pdf/kodak_bicycle.pdf<br>

Another site's 1899 Kodak Catalog pages 23-25 : http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1899obriglp663.htm<br>

The front standard operates like most large format cameras, you turn the focus knob until the distance indicator points to the distance the subject is from the film plane, set the shutter speed if possible and aperture, frame the subject or compose the scene with one of the finder windows and trip the shutter. There is a plate back allowing the use of glass plates in place of the cartridge film.</p>

[john_shriver]

<p>What you probably most need to find is information on the shutter, how to cock it, etc. Old shutters can be "interesting" in how they work. (For instance, I have a Pony Premo with a Victor shutter, and you pull the shutter lever up to cock, and push down to shoot.) If you want to use it with sheet film holders, you also need to know how to hold the shutter open to focus.<br>

Note that early cameras that take plate holders (predecessor to sheet film holders) do not have a standardized distance from the front of the holder to the front of the film. You may need to calibrate the ground glass holder to match your film holders.</p>

[timothy_larson3]

<p>Thank you! I have figured out how to cock the shutter, focus with the ground glass screen, etc. - I'll be shooting 4x5 sheet film. I found a 40 page booklet titled "Picture Taking with the No. 4 Cartridge Kodak" on Amazon. Hoping this is what I am referring to above.<br>

<br />Thank you again!</p>