Cameras/Care of Kodak bellows
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Question
I have three Kodak cameras that belonged to my grandfather. A 6-16, a 1A pocket Kodak and a No1 Kodak series III. What is the best way to care for the bellows? I noticed that they have a tendency to stick when they are closed for some time. I also could not find a listing for the No1 Series III on the Kodak site. When would this one have been made? Thank you.
Hello,
When bellows stick it is due to excess moisture, either something on the surface of the bellows or something inside the fabric. Oddly enough, in either case, this is usually not a bad thing. The most common culprit is a bit of the black dye leaching out of the bellows, and this can then dry and stick a bit when the bellows is pushed in for storage. A little sticking is okay; a LOT of sticking, where you have to pry the bellows apart everytime, is bad. Then you may need to clean the surface of the bellows with a very soft cloth dampened with a very light soap solution. Do this only if you think you must! Usually the best thing to do to most bellows is...nothing. Keep them supple by keeping them free of dust, away from extreme changes in heat and humidity, and never leave them on display in direct sunlight. When necessary, that bit of cleaning is okay, and you can add a bit of mositure back into the bellows covering by applying SMALL amounts of a water-based dye-rich leather polish like Venetian Cream. Easy does it!
The No. 1 Kodak Series III is a simple amateur's folding bellows camera, made by Eastman Kodak 1926 to 1931, for 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch exposures on #120 roll film. Truly excellent examples sell for around $40 in the collectible camera market today.
Best wishes,
David Silver
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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