{"id":5073,"date":"2018-11-13T21:07:19","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T20:07:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?p=5073"},"modified":"2025-10-16T14:13:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T13:13:18","slug":"vintage-camera-test-the-no-1a-autographic-kodak-junior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?p=5073","title":{"rendered":"Vintage Camera Test:  the No. 1A Autographic Kodak Junior"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a title=\"No. 1A Autographic Kodak Junior\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/15190147595\/in\/photolist-oRPhba-p9itEt\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/15190147595_c841a16390_z.jpg?resize=425%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"No. 1A Autographic Kodak Junior\" width=\"425\" height=\"640\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The No. 1A Autographic Junior was made in various versions between 1914 and 1927.&nbsp; it&#8217;s got a beautifully detailed brass and enamel faceplate, a fold-out foot with the Kodak logo, and its name engraved on a brass plate below the shutter assembly.&nbsp; They all shot 6.5 by 11 cm frames on size 116 autographic film (which allowed you to add details to the photo via a small window on the back and a slim metal &#8220;pen&#8221;) and cost between 11 and 24 bucks back in the day.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"No. 1A Autographic Kodak Junior\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/15003581877\/in\/photolist-oRPhba-p9itEt\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/15003581877_048f40f8f1_z.jpg?resize=640%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"No. 1A Autographic Kodak Junior\" width=\"640\" height=\"425\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This particular version, with its Kodak Anastigmat f\/7.7-45 lens and Kodak ball bearing shutter, was made between 1915 and 1925.&nbsp; As the lens name implies, it allows apertures from f\/7.7 to f\/45, with f\/11, 16, 22 and 32 in between, and the shutter takes T, B, and 1\/25, 1\/50, or 1\/100s exposures.&nbsp; Apparently some versions had fixed focal lengths, but this one lets you slide out the bellows and click the lens into a slot anywhere between 6 and 100 feet camera to subject distance.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve had this camera for a few years, but I never tried running any film through it until last year&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/?page_id=4504\">Let it Develop 365 project.<\/a>&nbsp; It&#8217;s an easy enough camera to use, and I used fresh Tri-X 400 (size 120) but disappointingly all the pictures ended up fogged.&nbsp; This camera is in amazing shape, but even so, I suspect the bellows have been replaced at least once because they&#8217;re absolutely pristine without any worn corners that might hide pinholes that would ruin the exposures.&nbsp; And none of this explains why my photos didn&#8217;t really turn out.<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Hill View\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/45863937571\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/45863937571_146f0f755d_z.jpg?resize=640%2C328&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hill View\" width=\"640\" height=\"328\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/p>\n<p><\/script><a title=\"Street View\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/45863938001\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/45863938001_4ddea3f162_z.jpg?resize=337%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Street View\" width=\"337\" height=\"640\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Toy Truck\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/45863937091\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/45863937091_1e4ddffee3_z.jpg?resize=343%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Toy Truck\" width=\"343\" height=\"640\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>&nbsp;<em>I do like this photo of this little fellow, who wasn&#8217;t paying attention when I snapped his picture.&nbsp; But the odd light band running vertically through most of the picture doesn&#8217;t really make sense.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Antananarivo Skyline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tazmpictures\/45863935561\/in\/dateposted-public\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/45863935561_c2cc325844_z.jpg?resize=640%2C332&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Antananarivo Skyline\" width=\"640\" height=\"332\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Verdict:<\/strong>&nbsp; Should have taken much better pictures:&nbsp; clean lens, smooth operating shutter with plenty of settings for any light conditions, pristine bellows.&nbsp; Maybe some controlled bracketing\/testing would help identify the problem?&nbsp; Sharing a few other folks&#8217; results below for comparison:<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Untitled\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/127709145@N04\/36378108101\/in\/photolist-t9uUh-5MC7Mr-pEZ83z-ddBbBs-YsjdY1-4mNcHw-bQNy8a-bQNxG2-89s7VW-WBRPGY-bCGmcQ-8US1yB-5LtBo6-rBtrEj-YszaQG-d3beN5-XqBj9n-63prvT-59n2xx-21Yb8wK-4jzMyw-7HGC3Y-ddsyQD-8oZgSF-89oSez-5pGehg-qPABrV-bRCMEx-9FUVbD-QbXqwW-26kKdJt-dsEjKX-tersGx-26BFbUC-CCJeER-tvYt36-2cSQETK-2cSQELk-2cSQEC4-2cSQEnK-2cSQEaF-QfjY6L-burg7o-bBEwQh-YM1WWm-LU48V2-26Rhpo7-yW5piu-qGYB4X-rnj6gP\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/36378108101_c8708b2859_z.jpg?resize=640%2C360&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Untitled\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Mt Shasta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/neds\/7785687480\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/7785687480_6e7570a031_z.jpg?resize=640%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mt Shasta\" width=\"640\" height=\"389\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Allegheny Cemetery 2010 #1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/michaelgoodin\/4697890449\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4697890449_57d83e6b5c_z.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Allegheny Cemetery 2010 #1\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\"><\/a><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Update (March 2019):  I&#8217;ve run another roll of film through the camera, this time color (Fuji 400H) and the results are much better.  I&#8217;m still getting a bit of the odd &#8220;ghosting&#8221; on a few images.  I suspect there is still a small light leak somewhere.  But this time the camera gave me different problems:  after five (and a half) frames, I could no longer advance the film.  I also discovered that if you let this one get dusty on a shelf, it&#8217;s good to clean the mirror in the viewfinder with a Q-tip.  It&#8217;s open so it can fold flat when the camera is closed, and dust can build up on it, preventing you from framing your image properly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This one is probably going to spend a fair amount of time on the shelf in the future, given the problems I&#8217;ve had with it.  Still quite amazing photos for a 100-year-old camera though!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-flickr wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2dFPFs4\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/live.staticflickr.com\/7821\/46395620075_5eef097845.jpg?resize=500%2C261&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Old Car\" width=\"500\" height=\"261\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>old\u00a0car\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0village\u00a0north\u00a0of\u00a0Antananarivo,\u00a0Madagascar.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-flickr wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2dFPFkv\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/live.staticflickr.com\/7902\/46395619695_4ed6a769e7.jpg?resize=500%2C267&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Demonstration\" width=\"500\" height=\"267\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>Students\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0American\u00a0School\u00a0work\u00a0with\u00a0local\u00a0kids\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0vulnerable\u00a0community\u00a0in\u00a0Antananarivo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-flickr wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2f5EHTz\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/live.staticflickr.com\/7919\/47310508451_0a2cc73862.jpg?resize=500%2C267&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Anjezika\" width=\"500\" height=\"267\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption><em>Anjezika,\u00a0Antananarivo<\/em><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-flickr wp-block-embed is-type-photo is-provider-flickr\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/flic.kr\/p\/2dFPEBB\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/live.staticflickr.com\/7901\/46395617265_787b90731c.jpg?resize=500%2C259&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Motorcycle Riders\" width=\"500\" height=\"259\" \/><\/a>\n<\/div><figcaption>Evidence of a light leak, top left.  Still nice colors otherwise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The No. 1A Autographic Junior was made in various versions between 1914 and 1927.&nbsp; it&#8217;s got a beautifully detailed brass and enamel faceplate, a fold-out foot with the Kodak logo, and its name engraved on a brass plate below the shutter assembly.&nbsp; They all shot 6.5 by 11 cm frames on size 116 autographic film [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[803],"tags":[1263,96,2064,872,2063,506,805],"class_list":["post-5073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vintage-cameras","tag-autographic","tag-camera","tag-junior","tag-kodak","tag-no-1a","tag-test","tag-vintage"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5073"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6169,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5073\/revisions\/6169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tazmpictures.com\/site\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}