kodak classics - mischa koning

b y m i s c h a k o n i n g

o
o o box
o brownie
o disc
o folding
o hawkeye
o instant film
o retina
o 110 instamatic
o 120 rollfilm
o 126 instamatic
o 127 rollfilm
o 616/116 rollfilm
o 620 rollfilm
o 828 rollfilm
o 35mm film
o aps advantix
o single-use

o
o
o
o
o
o

index

cameras

folding

k o d a k f o l d i n g c a m e r a s

Kodak Folding Cameras

From the 1890's until 1960 Kodak produced about 200 different models that used bellows to allow the construction of a camera that was relatively compact when folded. Sizes varied from 6½ x 8½" roll-film cameras and large plate cameras to what was then considered a sub-miniature format with the 828 Bantam cameras and, of course, the famous Retina and Retinette Cameras. Even some of the Kodak Instant Picture cameras used bellows, though the last "traditional" rollfilm folding camera from Kodak was the Kodak 66. A discussion on the differences between "No.2" cameras, "No.2A" cameras etc. can be found in the "hints'n'tips"-section. Some cameras include the word "cartridge" in the model name. This is because a roll of film was considered to look like a shotgun cartridge and also to help differentiate between similar cameras that used plates or Film Packs.

Apart from the well-known f-stop system of apertures that is still in use today, Kodak used two other systems of aperture numbering, the Uniform System, usually abbreviated as U.S., and an arbitary 1 2 3 4 numbering sequence, usually found on cameras with simple lenses.
These relate as follows :

f /	4	5.6	8	11	16	22	32	45
U.S.	-	-	4	8	16	32	64	128
Simple Lenses (approximately)			-	1	2	3	4	-

Details of the "Autographic" feature, to be found on some of these cameras, can be read in the "hints'n'tips"-section.

Not included here are the Retina and Retinette models, which have their own section.

Kodak Premo Cameras

Having taken over the "Rochester Optical and Camera Company" in 1903, Eastman Kodak produced cameras with the "Premo" name until 1926. To my knowledge, very few Premo models were marketed in Europe, they certainly are not common here, hence the relative paucity of these cameras in my collection.

Pathé

Some publications refer to Kodak Pliant cameras produced in France in the late 1940's and early to mid 1950's. This would appear to be a misnomer as I have been unable to find mention of this name on any of these cameras or their packaging. A resumé of the 620 folding cameras produced by Kodak Pathé may be found on this page.