Kodak A-127 Vest Pocket Autographic Folding Camera

[OptiKen]

Known as "the soldier's camera', this camera's history has always facinated me. WW1 was the first major war where the soldiers were able to record it for prosperity via this little camera. I'm always on the lookout for photos in thrift stores that may have been taken with this camera (or other 127 cameras from that era).

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone still takes the occassional photograph with the VPK and if you do, would you share your results with us here?

Thanks,

Ken

 

[bergytone]

yes, I just shot with my 1925 model a couple months ago. Had a couple of small light leaks, but all in all, I'm very happy. Make sure you use a ground glass to check focus before you go out. Mine was off a little, so I had to compensate for it. I used Fuji Acros 100 ( sad to see it go) and developed in XTOL 1:1

 

[Edward Romero]

Although my camera is not a 127 I do have a 1A Autographic Kodak made in 1917. It uses 116 film but I bought some adapters to use 120. The film window numbers show up on the 645 numbers. Made a 645 mask for it but it still slightly overlaps the other frame. Going to make a 6x9 mask for it and try it there. You can count the number of film advance turns by trying out the backing paper in and experimenting from there. Saw a video and the guy got 6 frames from it. Also mine only has 1-4 for the appeture. Used no. 2 as F16 and exposure was right. Looks like I have to replace the seals in the back with some foam. Is small light leak around the edges. Still sorting it out but the pictures I took with it on my first film came out pretty nice considering she is from 1917. Just a heck of a lot of fun and she fits right in my RB67 bag.

 

[shutterfinger]

Looks like I have to replace the seals in the back with some foam. Is small light leak around the edges.

Black yarn was the common light seal in that day. I'd check the bellows for pin holes also. Golden heavy body acrylic artist paint #1040 Carbon Black diluted 1:1 with water and painted on the inside of the bellows in 2 orf 3 thin coats with a fine bristle artist brush (economy works fine) is a perminate repair as the paint remains flexible when dry.