No 1 Kodak Pocket Folder Series II Refurbish Questions

I recently found myself in possession of a very nice No 1 Kodak Pocket Folding Camera from the 20s. It comes with a clean Kodak Anastigmat 108mm f/7.7 lens mounted in a working Kodak Ball Bearing Shutter with 5 speeds 1/100s, 1/50s, 1/25s, Bulb and Time (or T). The shutter actually has speeds of 1/25s, 1/32s and 1/50s that are amazingly reliable.

I am quite amazed at how compact this camera really is. When it is folded up it actually does slide into the front pockets of my looser jeans. It is also very light but most everything on it seems pretty well built. The camera body appears to be constructed out of aluminum, the struts of stamped steel and the bellows is leather and appears original. As mentioned, the lens is in excellent condition and though the shutter has slowed down with time it is still very consistent and therefore reliable.

I have no intentions of this camera sitting unused on my shelf. I actually bought it with the idea of doing a project using older film and a much older camera. I just developed a roll of Efke 25 R that I exposed this morning and the negatives seem to be pretty good. I did expect some light leaks but I haven't spotted any yet. So far, so good. I'll post a couple when I get an opportunity to make a print or two.

However, as expected with a camera that is around 100 years old, there are some small problems. The biggest is that the red window that reveals the film numbers on the 120 film backing paper is no more. I placed a piece of black tape across it to prevent excess light from getting through the light orange window during use but the window was so fragile that the adhesive on the tape busted the window into a number of pieces the first time I pulled it away to see the film numbers. This of course meant that light was able to flood through that hole unimpeded every time I pulled back the tape to view the film number. I was able to complete the roll of film by counting the number of turns of the film advance crank (4 turns of the crank gives very good film spacing) but I would certainly prefer to be able to use the window again.

Secondly, the camera arrived missing one of the rollers that are placed on either end of the pressure plate. I doubt this will be the end of the world but it does make it more likely that the film is not properly held against the film gate when the photo is exposed which may result in one side of the photograph being slightly out of focus. I would prefer to replace the roller if possible.

Now, I can certainly pick up a second camera in order to cannibalize a roller, but I doubt that the red window in another camera will be in any better condition than it was in this one, though there is a chance. Is there a source for the transparent red plastic so that I can replace the window with new material.

Any ideas on technique with this camera, thoughts on how to repair the film advance window, sources for parts or just about anything else regarding this camera and lens is more than welcome. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Search this site for " Ruby Window ". I have some dark red lighting filter that I used for such a repair. The ruby window thread has information on what to use and where to get it.
See http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/repair_1.html for the Ball Bearing Shutter. As with all shutters there were variations and in production changes. Removing the rear lens cell and rear plate will reveal 5 or 6 1/16 diameter steel balls and arced spacers that may fall out if you're not careful. The rear also holds the front plate in place. Cleaning the bearings, spacers, and recess they sit in then lubing with a sheen of light weight oil will likely improve the speeds..

Thanks shutterfinger.

I'll search for the Ruby Window thread (obviously my search skills are not too good ).

I wasn't terribly worried about the shutter itself since the speeds are very consistent but this information from Camera Eccentric is fascinating. I'll study up on the topic and try my hand at a simple shutter cleaning.

Thanks again, this is really good information that I was obviously lacking.

I had the same problem on an old Ansco 3A, when I modified it for 120 film (the old red window needed some inset to fit into that was beyond what I wanted to put into the project) . I remembered I had some old filter swatch books around, found a likely looking red filter swatch, and trimmed a bit off and taped it over the hole with 3M Teflon tape. Put a flap made of camera tape over it that I can peel back to check winding of film. Works fine. May be useful to know that Kodak used green plastic windows on some of their cameras, so if you don't have red....

The colour doesn't really matter much with modern, panchromatic film. The level of light attenuation does matter.

The filter swatches are helpfully marked with the percentage of light transmitted by them. IIRC the one I used was 2-3 stops down (somewhere between 25 and 13% transmission). It helped that I had the old red window there to match.

A quick update.

For the moment I have purchased another camera for parts. The back on these cameras comes off entirely so should be completely replaceable which would solve the red window problem. I am going to try that route first.

It also provides another film roller inside the film transport area of the camera to replace the missing one.

Finally, I can practice on disassembling and cleaning the Kodak Ball Bearing Shutter on the parts camera before actually trying to clean and lube the one I have.

Everyone has provided some terrific information and I appreciate it. I am always impressed with the level of knowledge on this forum and the willingness for everyone to share. Thanks.

BTW, the camera works great. This lens seems very good and has provided some nice negatives for me to contact print. As soon as that happens I'll let everyone know and try posting a few.

First I have a dishwasher to replace and a Jeep to get repaired and back on the road. Always something fun and interesting happening around here.

Hi all, I know this thread is perhaps old, but I reckon for a camera that’s approaching 100, there may still be some life in it.

I was wondering if anyone has had the issue I’m having, which is that the ‘bed’ or track that the shutter slides on…that track has moved. And the shutter assembly now no longer slides along the track, the bellows doesn’t extend either.

I’ve tried jiggling it in all directions but no luck so far….and there are almost no screws I can see; everything is riveted, so any more intrusive repair work will be destructive first.

Am I missing something I should be trying?

Thanks in advance

Bruce