AboutDavid 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:
Expert: David Silver Date: 12/23/2004 Subject: old Kodak
Question I have a mint Kodak bellows camera the 1A, that takes 116 film. I've got two rolls from Central Camera in Chicago. Any other sources? Haven't shot with it yet.
Answer Hi again,
If you tell me what shutter is on that camera, the lens, and how the apertures are marked, I can give you the current f-stop equivalents and also a rough idea of the true operative shutter speeds (due to typical age degradation). Also, if you provide the exact camera model designation, I'll give you the years of manufacture. The wonderful advantage of #116 is the outstanding landscape perspective when shot in the horizontal orientation. In a sense, it's wide angle medium format. Any pro lab will develop black & white #116, but it's usually done in a tray and is costly. Then all you can get is contact prints. What did you get from Central, was it Verichrome? If so, that's a GREAT old film, one of my favorites from the past. If you have an enlarger that handles 4 x 5 negatives, you can make a mask to fit 2 1/2 x 4 1/4, and I do recommend it. I would appreciate a note if you find another reliable source for #116. Where ever you have it developed, ask them to save the backing and spool!!! Film For Classics, for example, will roll more film for you if you give them the backing and spool. Have fun!!!
