Kodak N0 1A Folding Pocket Kodak
- Kamera Ostalgie
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
I have started going through my camera collection to give them all a good clean up and check that they are still okay, fire all the shutters etc etc, anyway, I came across this lovely old folding number 1A pocket Kodak, so I thought instead of just cleaning it and putting it away again I would do a quick mini post.
This unusual Kodak folding camera was produced from 1899 to 1915. It took Kodak 116 Film, 8 images of 2 1/2 inches by 4 1/4 inches.
I think this one will date from the 1912-1915 period as it has the black bellows, most of these
had red bellows up to it seems about 1912.
The camera was made in the USA by The Eastman Kodak Company Rochester N.Y.
The lens was a Achromatic lens and the shutter a simple three speed shutter with just I, B, T. The shutter was called 'Pocket Automatic'
The shutter actually still works perfectly, which when you think about it, (the camera is around 110 years old,) is I think pretty amazing.
Some sources say that the lens is 105mm f 11 lens, so I'll go along with that! The apertures are just marked 1,2,3,4, not with f numbers.
The body number is 198514 which is stamped into the rather nice grained leather body covering. The body itself is made up of an alloy and some wood.
Whatever way you look at this camera it looks rather strange! It is a camera that looks odd from every angle.
More like an alien machine from the 'War of the Worlds' than a camera. However despite the ungainly look, this camera is built, it sits rock solid even though it looks a little fragile.
I have been looking into the possibility of using these cameras and it looks like someone is producing 3D printed adaptor spools to convert from 116 to 120 but I don't have any contact details but The Real Camera Company in Liverpool have one of these 1A Folding Pocket Kodaks for sale on eBay currently and it comes with these 3D printed items.
This video on You Tube by a gentleman called Martin Henson explains how he uses the No Folding Pocket Kodak with his own 120 film conversion, which might be a better option. A very informative video, well worth a look if you like these Kodaks.
Absolutely cracking video by someone who knows what he is talking about.
If you are fancying buying one of these strange cameras, this nice example is on eBay right now, see the picture below:-
Has to be a bargain at £31.90 ! I'm very tempted myself !
Okay, well that's about it for this mini post ! Short and sweet ! Looking at the sites analytics most subscribers don't open their posts and if they do only a few read them to the end! So this is short so hopefully you will get to read this bit!
Have a really enjoyable Christmas,
take care,
Phil
Now why is Jeff Wayne's music still floating around my heads.................................
