My dads Kodak Special 3A Autographic

[michiana]

While researching my father’s camera I came across this forum and would like to share with members the two Kodak’s I have in my small collection. The first is a Kodak Special No. 3A Autographic that belonged to my dad which he used until they quit making A122 film and then he wrote Kodak to complain. I bought him a small Petri 35mm in 1962 but it was never as good as his Kodak. It has the leather case with his initials monogrammed on it in gold, the manual which says he purchased in 1926; a 7” Kodak metal cable release #5; a Kodak Self Timer and a #7 Kodak portrait lens. All are in excellent condition. I probably have a thousand picture postcard sized B&W photos he took with this camera and the quality was outstanding.

My second Kodak was my father-in-laws and is a Vest Pocket Kodak Model B. It is in decent condition and I have the box and instruction book with it too. I know this is not much of a collection but they sure look good on my bookcase and my dads brings back memories every time I look at it. I would be interested in any feedback on the 3A from members to give me a better understanding what I have. Should I clean them of keep as is? If they should be cleaned what is the best way of doing so?

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[olroy2044]

Welcome to CC, Mich! That's a nice pair of cameras you've got. Be careful, the collecting bug bites hard! ;D ;D

I'm sure someone here knows much more about your cameras than I do. Roy

[Doug T.]

Hi there, and welcome !
I've had a few folders over the years, some were usable, some weren't. They do make very nice display items, and some can be converted to 120 roll film. The photo you posted looks like a nice display grouping as it is.
I would probably clean it up a bit. I may be wrong, but I've used mild soapy water, black shoe polish, Q tips, a soft toothbrush, and old T-shirt pieces on the leather parts before. It seems to work for me.
You should post some of the pictures taken with them.
Doug

[mickeyobe]

michiana,

Your No. 3A Autographic Kodak Special was made between between 1917 and 1933. I see your manual has 1926 written on it. It was one of the earliest cameras with a coupled rangefinder. Kodak's instructions say the RF could only be used on still objects. It may also be focussed by the scale on the drop down panel. It made pictures 3-1/4" x 5-1/2" on 122 film.
The Autographic feature is the panel on the back which opens to permit writing on special Autographic film with the stylus that is attached to the top of the panel.
Your manual will describe the rising front on page 52.
It is a splendid camera. It's a pity film is no longer available for it.
McKeown's 2006 catalogue values it at $75 to $90 US. I think it is worth more now.


The Vest Pocket Kodak Model B was made between 1925 to 1934. It may have the Autographic feature if it was made before 1930. The stylus is affixed to the left side of the lens mount. It made 8 exposures 1-5/8" x 2-1/2" on 127 film which one may occasionally still find, I think.
There are numerous minor variations of this camera which makes it an interesting collectors' item.
McKeown's value is $40 to $60 US. One may usually buy the camera for $10 to $25.

My collection of VPK Model B. Nine cameras each differs in some small way from the others. There are other variations.


Mickey

[photax]

Hi Mich !

Welcome to the forum ! You have two really nice cameras in your collection. Such a complete outfit is hard to find here. I agree to Mickey`s estimate relating to the collectors value. My experience in looking at Autographic-models has shown, that very often the stylus is missing. Here is my No. 3A Autographic Model C from 1921 with a Kodak Anastigmat 6.3/170 in a Ilex Universal shutter.



MIK

[aceroadholder]

122 film is available.. the bad news is that it isn't cheap. The reason for the high price I would assume is the 3 1/4" (83mm) width and having to hand roll it onto the spool. On a positive note, you do get a negative that is 3.5 times the size of a 120 roll film 2.25 square negative. The film is also ASA 50.. just the thing for your camera.

www.centralcamera.com/_search.php?page=1&q=122+film

Orlin in SC/USA

[daveh]

Mich, welcome.

I looked at your link, aceRR. $37.95 per film - free postage in mainland USA if you buy enough.

How many photos do you get on each film?

[julio1fer]

I've been looking at getting one of those. A set of images made with a 3A back in 1913-17 came into my posession, and I made a small site from them here. I knew the photographer when I was a child and remember vaguely the camera.

122 film had some flatness problems, too large for comfort.

The lens is sharp!

[daveh]

Julio. wonderful photos.

I can see that a negative of the size 0f 122 would have problems of sitting flat - something that glass plates would not have suffered from.

Is mate normally taken hot or cold in Uruguay? I have some when Hugo and Ruben, from Asunción, Paraguay, stayed with us in the late 1980s.

[photax]

Hi Julio !

As Dave said: wonderful pictures, with historical value.

MIK

[mickeyobe]

Dec 17, 2010 19:06:07 GMT -5 daveh said:

Julio. wonderful photos.

Is mate normally taken hot or cold in Uruguay? I have some when Hugo and Ruben, from Asunción, Paraguay, stayed with us in the late 1980s.

Hot.
You need a silver straw and a calabash gourd.

Saludos amigos.

Mickey

[julio1fer]

Thanks for your comments! Just wanted to highlight that those 3A are capable cameras if used with care. Maybe 120 film can be used with some kind of adaptors on the spools.

I wonder if there is an adaptor for glass plates for the 3A. This photographer had in his collection a number of glass plates.

About mate: that's right, mate is taken HOT here. Sometimes in Paraguay they take it cold (it is called tereré).

[michiana]

When I looked these cameras up several years ago I was surprised how little value they are; I figured there would not be many out there that are still in working condition but guess there are. I would never sell either one of these; they will be passed down to the next generation but for now I have them on my bookcase and they look impressive to me. Thanks for the input. Think I will give my dads a good cleaning and post a future "after" photo.

[mickeyobe]

That's the spirit michiana.
After seeing and admiring them every day you will soon come to sense their loneliness and start looking for their companions.
Before you know it you will have a dozen or so.
You will then have become an incurable Camera Collector.
Welcome.

Mickey