Introduction to the Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic 127
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Kodak's vest pocket 127 marked a sea change in camera design. Small and lightweight, this camera represented the first time a vest pocket camera could actually fit inside a vest pocket. Made of stamped aluminum, these cameras have withstood time well because they don't rust and resist corrosion. Perhaps the only weakness are the bellows, which do fail and get pinholes with time and use.
Fun, compact, light, easy to use, and capable of high-quality results, these cameras marked the beginning of the 127 film format, a format still in limited production today (mid 2013.) Even by today's standards, these cameras can take acceptable and high-grade photos.
References:
redbellows.co.uk/CameraCollect...
redbellows.co.uk/CameraCollect...
www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin...
www.coollectors.com/item/142107
www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-co...
blog.fnaard.com/2012/01/kodak-...
www.earlyphotography.co.uk/sit...
licm.org.uk/livingImage/VPK192...
www.kodak.com/global/en/consum...
camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kodak_ves...
camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ves...
camera-wiki.org/wiki/Vest_Pock...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/127_film
camarasclassicas.blogspot.com/...
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Хобби
I've had the "collapsible-lens-not-fully-extended" problem once, that I know of. It was the Summer of 1964, and I was a Boy Scout, armed with a Leica IIIa + 50mm f/3.5 collapsible Elmar. I didn't completely extend the lens before taking a picture of a group of Scouts, headed for the U.S. Capitol building at a run. The Kodachrome slide was well exposed, but nothing was in focus. Still, it captured the hustle-bustle feel of that Boy Scout Jamboree year, going from state to state, ending up at the Valley Forge campsite. (I knew of at least one Scout who was using a roll film folding camera, back then.)
Nice. I had a Le Clic disc camera and then a Minolta Weathermatic 110 in Boy Scouts when I went for my photography merit badge.
Great video! We recently got hold of the Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic and this is by far the most comprehensive video we found about it. Shared it ahead with our Facebook fans too.
+Relics & Rarities Thank you, and thank you very much for the share, too.
Thank you for making this video David. I recently purchased a VPK on eBay having seen them in many World War I documentaries. I have learned a great deal from you video I have not found elsewhere online. I had no idea you can unscrew the back film number viewing window. I found the best tool for this is a rubber case back ball used by watch makers. It applies an even grip on back of the camera without too much pressure. I ordered a 127 film that arrived yesterday, I'm looking forward to shooting it. - Thanks again. 👍🏻
Thank you!
Thank you for the video! My son gave me one for Christmas. I was amazed that this camera was used in WW 1 and that it has survived to 2022. My camera didn’t have a glass lens. I thought that I may have broken but then you said it may be behind the lens. I’ll have to rewatch the movie 1917 again and see if it was used.
Great video, as usual! I have one that was made in Canada, so Kodak did manufacturer outside the USA. From what I can tell mine is from around 1920.
Oh nice. Thank you!
Just what I needed! I know nothing about cameras and am doing a 3D modeling project of this one. So the explanations were super helpful!
Thank you! That sounds like an interesting project. What's your end result going to be?
It's a 3D model for a game level set in the early 1900's. In the process of making this camera and finding all the reference images and construction details, I've fallen in love with old cameras. I'll probably try to squeeze a few other camera models into the scene just so I can continue working with them!
Nice! That's a great project.
Early 1900s, there were a LOT of field cameras, 5X7 and such sizes. Burke and James were one maker. Kodak had a series of folding cameras that took film packs (really interesting things that allowed a lot of sheet film to be used in succession. Graflex had a line of large-format SLRs, too, but I forget exactly when they went into production. eBay is a GREAT place for finding camera models to research. People are often selling old cameras. The Facebook Large Format Photography Group also has a lot of people knowledgeable on antique gear. Old brass barrel lenses, like the Petzval, were popular then, too. Oh, and Kodak box brownies were popular then, too. The original box Brownie took circular images (that could be something fun to work in somehow.)
thanks, good job, just bought one, helped a lot
Ron Morris You're welcome. Take great photos!
Awesome video. Many thanks.
You're welcome. Take great photos!
That's a good find. The 2A takes 116 film. You can sometimes find unexposed 116 on eBay. I actually have two rolls in my fridge (but no 116 cameras) that came with lots of exposed film. You're best best is to get some 116 spools and backing paper (there area few for sale on eBay right now) and then spool other sizes of film into it.
Many of these were taken the battlefields of the Great War 1914-1918 and were ideal because of their size and ruggedness. Unfortunately the British High Command banned their use on pain of Court Martial. They were concerned about soldiers unwittingly sending home photos which might show sensitive information. Many, mainly officers, chose to ignore the order and continued to use them taking some wonderful and evocative photos. The German High Command had no such restrictions and actively encouraged their men to snap away. I believe they had a similar camera but I'm not sure who manufactured it. I have a VPK in good condition which I'm taking to France and Belgium in a few weeks. I have one roll of film x 8 exposures so I need to be careful with my shots. It's not easy here in UK to find 127 film.
Thank you!
For 127, if you have some papers and spools you could pick some up in bulk for re-spooling from Ilford during their annual large format order event.
You might have a Baush & Lomb lens on your camera. I really enjoy your camera reviews. My 1915 Folding Brownie has a Baush & Lomb lens.
Thank you!
That would make sense, too. B&L made a lot of lenses for Kodak.
I'm researching Canberra for the upcoming 127 day. This could be the one. Thanks for the video.
Thank you and that sounds like fun!
Mine is black. I believe they all left the Kodak factory black. I've seen photos on the Internet where people have stripped the leather and paint and refinished them in other colors, which can be quite striking.
Great video!My oldest camera is a Rochester Optical Premo Pony 6.1900-1903,but it's missing too many pieces to use.Also 5x7 film is expensive.My oldest camera that I use is a Kodak Folding Pocket Brownie #2 Model B.1907-1913.The bellows are good,the lens is clear,the shutter works fine,and it takes 120 film which is relatively easy to get.I'm running a roll through it right now.
M Poole That's fantastic! Using old cameras is always great. I have a Premoette 1A from the first year of production, but the old film packs aren't made any more. I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to run 120 through it, but so far no luck.
David Hancock I know what you mean.I have several cameras I can't use because film is no longer made for them.Have you looked into maybe adapting an old roll film holder?I have a rol-adaptor I got with a 6x9 press camera.It's made for 620 film,but 120 works fine as long as you use a 620 take up spool.The hard part about adapting such an old camera is you don't want to hack it up.
M Poole Exactly. I have thought that a 120 film back might work, if I could hold it in place, but ultimate, I figure the effort isn't going to return a lot in the way of results.
Urs looks in good condition, any advice on cleaning and polishing one of these?
Nice, especially the "EXIF data" feature. It must have been handy to be able to scribe your f/stop and shutter speed on the film in the field, if you were so inclined and did not want to carry a notebook for everything.
Obvious questions:
1) What is the current state of 127 film? (I imagine one could trim and respool 120 at a pinch.)
2) What does or can one do to patch or replace the bellows?
3) Does sufficient information about the stylus exist to be able to fudge a replacement from scratch?
4) What was the average ASA or equivalent of the films loaded into this at the time of design?
5) Is orthochromatic film still available?
That's a brilliant thought. I don't see why it wouldn't work. In this model camera, it would be hard to get the tape into the body, though. It would probably be worse to get it out.
I've used it on a little 16mm camera, as long as you leave a tab to remove it it shouldn't be too bad. the clarity isn't that great, not sure how accurately you can check focus with it? I might check on frosted glass or sand a piece of glass with 1000 grit.
I just got a Kodak Brownie 2A Model C which is really cool. I would like to take some images with it but not sure where to get film for it. Any info you can provide would be really appreciated
Thanks for a fine video. Now that you mention Mallory, I must say that it was probably his companion Irvine who did the photographing, as Mallory is known to be be quite helpless with most technical gear. I’we written a book about climbing in the Himalayas, and a lot on the story of the two. Recently, I bought a camera like this myself and see forward to shooting some images :-)
Thank you! There are some good 127 film options out there, too, right now. The black and white options are more reliable than the color options, however. What's your book's title?
@@DavidHancock I'we cut backing paper from a 120 roll and put 35mm into it to day. Unfortunately, that revealed some light leaks. Have to find out if it's the camera itself or the winding of that thicker 35mm film.
The book is not in english. Translated the title is "Himalaya - Roof of The World" or in danish "Himalaya - Verdens tag"
Is the color of the camera or brown?
excellent video. is the bellows made from paper?
Great video and very informative. I have a 1915 model (I think) I did manage to get 2 rolls of B&W 127 film. Fairly expensive around £10.00 pounds a roll. I'm off to Verdun in France in a few weeks to visit the WW1 battlefields and I'm going to take some photos in as realistic a setting as possible. Early next year I'll be off to the Somme in France to do likewise. Incidentally there is a book on the history of the VPK and its use in WW1 by Jon Cooksey. Available on Amazon it is very interesting.
That is fantastic! I shot a 1930s Zeiss 6X9 folder on the U.S.S. Hornet once. That was a neat experience.
I wonder if you know of the equivalent camera used by the German Army during WW1? I do know that after a short time the British Army forbade the use of the VPK due to secrecy issues although many continued to defy that order. On the other hand the German Army actively encouraged the taking of photos and I believe issued some cameras. Just a thought...
can you use scotch tape on the film plane to check focus?
One question I have about loading film, I can see inside my copy, there is a very thin plate of metal between the two film role spindles, do I insert the film down this thin gap between the plate and the inside back of the camera?
That's correct.
I didn't know much about this camera, and now you've definitely piqued my interest! Did Kodak make a similarly compact camera but for 120 film? I'd love to shoot with such a lovely tool.
Oh, and nice video! You got my Thumb-Up. Cheers!
Riccardo Mori Thank you!
As for the similarly compact 120, that depends on your definition of compact. But yes, there are a number of folding 120 camera from Kodak, as well as folding 620 cameras. None of them are anywhere near as small as these, though, and calling them 'vest pocket' models is a bit of a stretch.
Got one here... Looks almost new 😂 will try and get some film and give it a go!
Nice!
Found one at a thrift store today. I’m thrilled! However, it’s missing the bottom piece that that covers the film area. Any idea of where I could find a replacement piece?
Nice find! The best place to find a replacement part will be from a parts camera off eBay.
Thank you so much for the info. I have recently purchased one at an estate sale. My has what you described as the Japan finish and there is no lens over the aperture. When I open the aperture I can see the lens behind it. What year would you think this would be? Also the bellows is in poor condition. Any thought on how to replace or repair? Again what an informative video.
Thank you! As for when these were made, no idea. For bellows repair, there is a guy in China with a small shop and they make bellows. He's custom-made bellows for me twice before. If you're comfortable with a jeweler's screwdriver then the repair on this might be fairly simple. I have not replaced bellows in this model before but I have in more complex cameras and it's never super hard to do.
hey. I just got a VPK. They are hard to come by here.
I would like to use it but I can't find any 127 film.
How do I respool 35mm onto the 127 reel?
damsizerooster I have a video here (ruclips.net/video/nojQPkkafVo/видео.html) that shows how to spool 120 onto a 620 spool (using all 120 components.) The process for 35mm to 127 would be the same. This video (ruclips.net/video/PU-jMU6mC44/видео.html) has some data on the various formats. There's a link in the description to the segment on 127. You'll need to cut your 35mm film to the proper length for 127 film.
The 116 film is so old that it won't likely take quality images any more, and the 2A can do well. Re-spool 116 with 120 and you'll get most of the frame covered and most of the film length. 116 film is about 1.5 116-sized frames larger than 120. 616 film is about the same length, I think.
Hi David, I just came across one today belonging to a British WW1 officer. When I took it home and was opening and closing it to show to family, some of the struts came out and I'm struggling to put them back in.
Also I was wondering what is the focal length? I will be using this for particular fine art landscapes
I have the f7.7 model
Hey, James, The FL on these should be around 80 or 90mm. They take 645 images so the FL should be the same as the standard FL on any 645 camera. As for the struts, they may take a little fiddling to have work properly, especially on these old cameras.
They resist corrosion and rust? Does that also include if they're sitting in snow/glacial ice for a hundred years?
Likely not in that case.
Hey Ik this is like 7 years old but I’ve got a model b and I put film in but can’t close it back together, like it doesn’t fit, any tips?
Are you using 127 size film or some other format?
I have one sitting in front of me right now that I got at a garage sale for $10. But the serial number on it says 128681 BUT it also doesn't have the autographic feature. so that must mean it was before 1915 and it also means they were not serialed incrementally. Thanks for the video though I learned a lot!
Thank you for the SN info, too. Sometimes it can be hard to find out details about these old cameras. A lot of the makers either didn't keep records or they're long gone.
i bought one and i want to shoot with it also with model infront of it. but how do i know that the model is standing in de point of sharpnes? that i know it won't be blurry??
Trial and error, really.
Hi the VPK I have still has film in it. I don't know how old it is. it's on number 11, well that's the number displayed in the window.
I saw they came in 12 exposures per roll.
I tried to turn the key to wind up the film but the number does not change and the key winds freely.
The number 11 did move a little...
I'm not going to open it to see why.
Any suggestions why this is happening? film broken?
Hard to say what's happening. I would open it in a pitch black room and finish spooling the film once its out of the camera. Then you could take it to be developed and see what photos are on it. That would give you an idea of when it was last used and by whom. It's a blast to develop found film.
You might be able to patch the pin pricks in the bellows with rubber paint.
That can work, yes. Thank you!
This was great! Thank you! Wishing to know where to get film and any trusted companies for film development.
Thank you! If you're in the US, Freestyle sells the correct film. There are also a number of good labs like Old School Photo Lab and The Darkroom.
@@DavidHancock Thank you so much for this information! I am blown away with how quickly you responded and the depth of so very helpful information! I have one of these cameras and it was so great to follow along and learn about the features and *how* it all works. I am thankful for the tip about the glass being softer as well.
Hi there, just a few quick questions here. How do you focus with these? And is it possible to take out the lens and combine it with adapters to put on a dslr and then put the lens back into the vpk body?
For focusing, there should be a scale on the fold-out flatbed. I would not remove the lens unless the camera is completely trashed. There are no easy adapter for it and you'd have to make one. Once you remove the lens, it's unlikely to be easily re-assemblable. Also, these are SUPER soft lenses and they tend not to result in good images on digital cameras.
@@DavidHancock ok, thanks for the heads up.
Do you know where I would be able to get film for this??
You'll need 127 film. There are some options available in Rerapan (Freestyle and Rerapan's website) and there is some re-spooled HP5+ at B&H from time to time.
Hi. I live in Leeds, UK. I have a Kodak Vest Pocket camera, but it's not got Autographic feature. The serial number's in a different place to yours and also, as I pull out the lens, it doesn't have the webbing like yours does. The serial number is 29976. The outside is a little worse the wear, the case is not in a good condition. It's complete in the sense that the little aluminum spindle poking object (don't know what it's called lol) is actually there. There's also a role of 127 film. How do I know whether the film's been used please? You have to take the whole back off of the camera to take out or put in new film.
As I look at the camera, I have taken the back off and laid it down in front of me. The film was on the right hand side as I look at the camera now, the spare spindle is on the left. I'll try taking some photos with my phone and if you want to see the camera I'll upload them for you. Thanks for your help in this. Oh, is the camera worth anything nowadays? Is it a sought after item? It was my mothers, I'd no idea she had it, she died recently and so it's now come into my possession.
Mike
Michael Ogden
I'm sorry for your loss. Two of my cameras came as inheritance, once from my father and one from his father.
For the webbing, do you mean the accordion or the metal struts? If there's no accordion bellows, then the camera's not usable. New bellows can be made or bought, but they're not cheap. If you mean the metal struts, then the camera will be of very limited use as there's no way to know where the lens is focused.
As for film, if you look in the red window that will tell you what frame you're on. I think this shoots eight frames. You can still have 127 film developed at any good photo lab (there are some in the U.K. and I can ask my friends in the U.K. for a suggestion if you'd like.)
If the camera does not have the bellows, your best bet is to finish advancing the film (with the camera closed) and take the roll to be developed. The film can only advance one way, so spool it up and take it out of the body. The video shows the process, but I don't know the time stamp for it.
The aluminum stylus that fits into the back is a very uncommon part now (in fact, in the U.K., it may be considered rare, I'm not sure.) Even though there's no film made any more that uses the stylus, they're still a nice thing to have.
I hope i can find it again soon i just saw it for 50 how much i should resale it? Thanks nice inf video.
A camera is worth what you can do with it. I don't know what that should sell for anymore.
I have my grandads Kodak vest model B he used in WW2. Its in good condition but can seem to get the bellows to slide out on the rails? It seems to be stuck on the rail. Any idea how to release it?
Do you mean that the whole lens assembly won't slide outward, or that the lens assembly slides outwards but the bellows stays behind, collapsed in the body?
Thanks for the response. Its the whole lens assembly including the bellows that seem to be jammed. The front section of the slider moves a fraction along the rail but seems to get stuck when the back section of the slider engages with the rail. Hope you understand as I realise your model is slightly different to mine. It survived years in Burma with the pictures to prove it.
Hmm. That could be some physical damage to the rail assembly. Does it have all the pins that connect to the struts?
Also, are the struts all unfolding correctly for as far as it will open?
Alternately, if you aren't putting even pressure on it, it may be getting stuck.
That's a hard issue to diagnose in the blind. Another possibility is that the bellows are 'glued' together by age and dirt and may be preventing the assembly from opening.
Im not sure if it makes much difference but the left silver knob is missing on the slider for pulling the assembly out but the right is still there (which im using to pull). Im not sure where id find a spare one. It only moves about half a centimeter along the rail but the rails looks fine. It feels like something metal catching on the back section of the slider(as opposed to the bellows preventing it opening). Catching on the open hinge of the lid possibly or even the silver clip between the rail. Apart from the missing pin it looks as it should do going by looking at pictures.
It's hard to say without seeing it. My guess is that something may indeed be broken or bent somewhere. If you're looking to have it fixed, try Retina Rescue or Certo6. But I think that the left silver knob may play an important role in keeping the struts' geometry aligned properly. Without that, the struts may be binding.
Can someone explain how to use colour film more clearly?
In terms of using it in 127 format?
@@DavidHancock Don't worry I've worked out how to do it. Thanks for replying
My shows SN#907315. I would like to buy some film, any clues how or where ?
Norman Platt Kodak made a number of vest pocket cameras. If yours is a VP 127, then it takes 127 film. You can find that at Freestyle Photo, B&H Photo, and through Bluefire. There are not a lot of 127 options, but some exist. ReraPan is a nice black and white 127 film and Bluefire makes a nice color print film.
Thank you and no. The black bellows were made of cow leather with a fabric lining. Kodak's red bellows were made of seal hide.
mine is 1910
the good old kojak camera .. jeff .. ha ha
I have this camera with a plaque in brass mounted on the back wich says "made in cCanada by Canadian Kodak Co Ltd. Toronto Canada"
p. tony Nice! It's interesting that the Canadian-made models have a designation when the American-made ones, at least, did not.
David Hancock mine has the same inscription but I believe it refers to the circular lid in the back used to open it for lens cleaning. The camera body has another plaque that says made in USA.
David Lloyd
There's a guy or group out of China who make custom bellows for old cameras. I had one made to replace a destroyed macro bellows. They're $40, but the quality is fantastic. Here's the listing:
www.ebay.com/itm/181064156203?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
All you'd need are the bellows dimensions, probably in millimeters.
here is a recent video form Shoot Film Like A Boss in the UK: ruclips.net/video/ZzHPfAnh3yg/видео.html
I have a Vest Pocket B camera, do you have any info or would you be able to make a video on this one David. The design is quite different from this model.
Nice. Thank you!
I have one but from 1908
Nice! Really old cameras are a treasure.
I have the 40296th one
Nice!
Do you know where I could get film for it im very interested in it I moved into this house and it was built in 1900 and it had that camera along with a target brownie six-20 and has a shooting range in the basement
It is a shame that the 127 film died out, it was perfect if the inner core where the film was rolled on had been thicker ! You could have all kind of cameras, 30x30mm, 30x40, 30x60 or even more panoramic. I hope that Sony soon will make digital cameras with their 33x44mm 100 Megapixels sensor to resonable priceses !!!
I tend to agree. I like 127 as a nice hybrid of 120 and 35mm. A panoramic 127 camera would be a fascinating tool, too.
I just saw one for 50 in the thrift u should buy it
I am honestly not sure what a fair price for your camera would be anymore.
Well done. There is a book written about the VPK and WW1. Called: the vest pocket kodak & the first world war. ISBN number: 978-1-87145-279-0. Written by Jon Cooksey and foreword by Richard van Emden. I hope you like it.
Intersting video but we see NOTHING !
So the video is just blackness?
@@DavidHancock -- I think that he meant we did not see your results from the 2nd roll of film....
"Standard for 127 was 4x4." No, this Vest Pocket Autographic *was* the standard for 127 -- the first VPK of 1912 was the first camera ever made for 127 film, and the 4x6.5 frame (8 on a roll) was the standard size. A few years after the "Vest Pocket Kodak" name was dropped in 1926 (though the bed folding Model B more or less continued under various names for another ten years), Zeiss and others brought out half-frame 127 cameras, giving 4x3.25 frame and 16 on a roll (I've got a Kolibri in this format, hyper-compact but gives very nice images). The 4x4 came along much later, in the 1950s, and was mainly driven by "Super Slides" that would give a larger image in standard 2x2 mounts (usually occupied by 135, half-frame, or 828, later by 126 and 110) (though few if any of Kodak's 4x4 cameras had enough exposure control to make good slides consistently).
Correct. 4x4 came later sand became the standard.