Kodak Folding Pocket No.4

[Bennybee]

The Kodak Folding Pocket No.4 Model A from 1904 : folding yes, but not so pocketable.
I don't know why I bought this. I am not really into this sort of cameras. Why did I buy this enormous folding beast then? Well, it looked really nice with that beautiful red bellows and shiny hadware. It actually is in almost like-new condition without any marks anywhere. The Bausch & Lomb 'Rapid Rectilinear' lens is clear and the Kodak 'Automatic' shutter works well. It does if I point the camera to the ceiling - in normal shooting position it is a bit slow : one second sounds more like two seconds.

After doing some research on the web I found some users who got really great results from these cameras (mostly types 3 and 3A). There isn't much info out there on the type 4 but I think I am pretty sure now that my 'type 4 Model A' is not the same as the (bigger!) 'type 4A' camera. My No.4 camera uses type 123 roll film and the film gate is 4x5 inch. I want to try to shoot at least once a roll of 120 film with it, instead of just keeping the camera as decoration. So I already ordered a kit of 3D-printed 123 to 120 adapters and we'll see...
I'm sure many of you guys here have more experience with this sort of cameras and film formats, so any input here is very welcome.

[titrisol]

In the old days people had very large pockets!!

[alexvaras]

Congrats, Benny! That's a gorgeus camera!
For the 120 film adapter, watch out with the film falling into the camera, that will be the most tricky part.
Looking forward to see the photos

[Bennybee]

Hi Alex,
Thanks. I have been thinking about that problem and I might try using a very thin put stiff black sheet of plastic, cut to size and with a 6x12cm rectangular window cut into it?

[alexvaras]

Hi Alex,
Thanks. I have been thinking about that problem and I might try using a very thin put stiff black sheet of plastic, cut to size and with a 6x12cm rectangular window cut into it?

That should do the trick, maybe not the first attempt

[PFMcFarland]

Looking good there, Benny. It's rare to get one of those old folders in such good shape.

PF

[Bennybee]

Thanks guys, I must admit that this camera impressed me and got me looking for more. The trouble is : they're so big that I don't have room to put them. For this one Conny had to sacrifice a spot in her 'holidays souvenir cabinet' ...

[GrahamS]

The film size was because the contact prints were nice and big and "You press the shutter, we do the rest" was an easy service to offer.