This is a new one I’ve not yet had the chance to take out, because it is dangerously hot outside. It’s my only bellows camera so far, mainly because I’m always a little bit wary about them. I buy all my antique cameras at antique stores, and bellows cameras especially give me the biggest feeling of apprehension in these cases. Since I actually use the cameras I buy, I’m worried about light leaks in the bellows itself, but this one was the first one I found in solid condition. I plan on taking it out soon, and then I’ll have more to say about it.
A few things I can say about it immediately, before I’ve even used it, is how much I love the look of it. It’s so compact, and barely any bigger than my Ektar H35 when closed. Except there’s some irony to it, because this one’s from the 1930s, and has more moving parts and features than the Ektar. As you can sort of see from the photos of the front, you can sort of adjust the focus, and it has three aperture sizes. It also has an option for an instant snapshot, or a timed shutter. Also common for some of these older Kodaks, it has two rangefinders: one for portrait, and one for landscape photos.
Peering into the back, you can see how simple they are on the inside (and that the take-up spool is on the wrong side). This is also my only camera that has a cover built into the little red window to prevent light leaks from exposure through that little window. I can’t wait to take this one for a spin and see how well it still works. Not bad at all for $15.