Although not a 35mm camera I thought I would share these five shots taken with what is possibly one of the first true compact cameras, the Kodak Vest Pocket. Mine is probably about a hundred years old and a bit tatty but I was surprised at the quality of the images I got out of it, they are far from perfect but I think they have great character.
I was particularly happy with the framing as the tiny waist level finder really only hints of what you can expect with it being so small. I did manage a very wonky horizon in one of the pictures but that could well just be me! I also shot the whole roll vertically forgetting the image was not a square!
Saying that it’s not all rosy, I obviously have a bit of a light leak in the bellows, I did notice this before using it but I guess my repair didn’t work completely. It’s also becoming increasingly expensive to get hold of 127 film, I am down to my last 4 or 5 rolls so will use them sparingly, which is a bit tricky as I have at least a couple of 127 cameras I haven’t used yet!
All images are from a single roll of ReraPan 100 which I developed myself in D76, I intentionally left the borders showing as I think they show more of that Kodak VP character.
Thanks for reading, if you would like to see more of my pictures you can find me on Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsfstop1-7/
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Comments
Terry B on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
This was one of the first cameras I started my collection with and it came with a mid-brown canvas slip in case with a fold-over flap with a press stud. I ruined it as a truly collector's item by deciding the body needed a new paint job using a spray can of auto gloss black paint giving it several coats, then a gloss finisher. This was before I knew to leave well alone! Originality is the key. At least it looks good.
But I never took any pics with it, so to see what it is capable of is an eye opener indeed. So thanks for posting.
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Chris McPhee on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
NigelH on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Peggy on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Comment posted: 25/04/2018
Kodachromeguy on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
Question: in photo 4, do I see a tram or funicular going up the bluffs? Please, where is it?
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
George Appletree on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
I had a Kodak six-20 Art Deco for a while and took interesting shots. It was a really pretty machine, more refined that what that one looks like. Viewfinder, lens and a full range of aperture and three or four speeds. Probably sharper and surely equally cheap. A joy really.
I don’t remember how I handled to use 120 rolls in it. Cameras designed for 620 require nearly always some tricky adjustments for loading and making work 120.
I said nearly always because I later bought one 6x9 old camera, that I still use, swallowing them straight on. First case ever.
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
Comment posted: 26/04/2018
Evan Bedford on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 27/04/2018
Comment posted: 27/04/2018
John A Bennett on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 27/04/2018
http://automat.bluemooncamera.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=60_68
JAB
Peter Boorman on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 01/05/2018
David Collyer on 5 Frames with a Kodak Vest Pocket – By Dan Smith
Comment posted: 16/08/2018
Comment posted: 16/08/2018