Folding Kodak collection

Comparison view of my collection of Folding Kodaks

Tempted by the idea of large format negatives without carrying a heavy load of plate holders I recently added to my quarter plate pocket autographic and post-card sized 3A, two Kodak Model 4 cameras, the 4x5" Model 4B and the largest folding camera Kodak ever made, the 4A model B.

Both the recent additions needed some work, in particular the removal/stabilising of the leatherette covering. For the backs, it was easiest to remove what remained and polish the aluminium. Lenses needed cleaning and the gearsfor extending the belllows took a little "clock" oil.

To make them really useful however, I needed large roll film - that I have had to make myself and will be the subject of the next post.

Before being able to use these reliably I had to check the speed accuracy of the indicated shutter speeds. I do this using my digital camera. I place the (removed) camera shutter (without lenses) in front of the Fuji's lens, then  I take a shot of a scene with my Fuji XT20 set with a shutter speed that I want check on the Kodak

With the fuji on a long exposure of 5 seconds operate the Kodak shutter. I then compare the histogram of this image with that of the fuji image shot at the the "same" speed and note any difference.

This process showed that the shutter for the larger 4A was much slower than indicated. So I gave the pneumatic cylinders a thorough clean (some light rust) and bathed the lens mechanism in brake cleaner in a vibrating jewellery cleaning bath. On retesting the shutter runs faster, but is still a stop slow. But I can work with that for the time being.