Kodak No. 3A model B4 review

Vintagephoto · Apr 30, 2020

Hi guys, if you like, I reviewed 'as a newbie' the fantastic Kodak No. 3A, a 1910 model B4.
https://vintage-photo.nl/kodak-3a-folding-pocket-a-silent-movie-from-1910

Hunter_Compton · Apr 30, 2020

Nice article. I have a Kodak 3A Autographic Special and some NOS Verichrome Pan from the 70s, which I have yet to shoot when the weather improves and we are no longer quarantining here in the USA.

One point worth noting however, is that 122 film was originally supplied in 10 exposure and 6 exposure rolls, although by the time the film was discontinued in the 1970s, only 6 exposure rolls were being produced.

Vintagephoto · Apr 30, 2020

Thanks Hunter_Compton, it is a noteworthy detail i added to the review!

Nodda Duma · Apr 30, 2020

There was also a plate adapter back available for the 3A, which allowed you to shoot dry plates. When I owned a 3A last year, I shot some fairly regularly. Really cool format.

Donald Qualls · May 1, 2020

I'd be pretty surprised if J. Lane didn't either have or offer ASA 25 speed ortho plates in that size, if you have the plate back (the web site says they can cut any size you need). Otherwise, you could just block the red window (ortho shouldn't be sensitive to its light, but why take the chance?) and clamp the plate between the roll cover and the film rails. "Postcard" format is nice for contact printing, anyway.

removed account4 · May 1, 2020

I have my grandparents 3a, it isn't as bling as yours
great article !
John

Nodda Duma · May 1, 2020

It’s a stock size

Donald Qualls said:
I'd be pretty surprised if J. Lane didn't either have or offer ASA 25 speed ortho plates in that size, if you have the plate back (the web site says they can cut any size you need). Otherwise, you could just block the red window (ortho shouldn't be sensitive to its light, but why take the chance?) and clamp the plate between the roll cover and the film rails. "Postcard" format is nice for contact printing, anyway.

MattKing · May 1, 2020

Nodda Duma said:
It’s a stock size

You really should put something in your signature line so that people can connect J. Lane with Nodda Duma!

Donald Qualls · May 3, 2020

Nodda Duma said:
It’s a stock size

Nice.

One of these days, I'm going to have to order some of those in 9x12 cm size. I've got a couple Ideal plate cameras (one marked Ica, the other Zeiss-Ikon) that have had to make do with film in sheaths for decades.

Kodak No. 3A model B4 review

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