No 5 Cartridge Kodak Camera
Eastman Kodak Company
| Name: | No 5 Cartridge Kodak |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Co |
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Construction: | Leather covered wooden body with fold down front that
forms the baseboard for the lens standard. Primarily designed for
rollfilm, but plate adapters were also available. Two brilliant
finders; handle fixed to top carrying the name of the camera. Several different shutters were fitted during its production and a variety of lenses were available, although normally fitted with a Rapid Rectilinear. As with the No 4 Cartridge Kodak, the design of the lens standard changed from wood on the early model to metal and the baseboard changed from wood to aluminium. |
| Movements: | Rising and cross front. |
| Dimensions (w x h x l): | |
| Plate / Film Size: | 115 rollfilm (7" x 5"); optional plate adapter. |
| Production Period: | 1898 - 1907 |
The No 5 Cartridge Kodak was the second model in the series that was introduced, the No 4 Cartridge Kodak preceding it by a year and the No 3 Cartridge Kodak appearing in 1900.
The No 5 Cartridge Kodak is the largest daylight-loading rollfilm camera made by Kodak.
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| Model / Variant: | First model with wooden lens standard, wooden baseboard and brass metalwork. |
| Lens: | B & L Rapid Rectilinear |
| Shutter: | Eastman Triple Action Pneumatic (valve on right side) |
| Date of this Example: | 1898 |
| Serial Number: | Serial number in hinge line on door is 708. |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 439 |
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Description
This is an early model (serial #708) of the No 5 Cartridge Kodak camera with mahogany lens standard and brass fittings. It is also fitted with the additional button on the top to operate the film cartridge release (as early No 4 Cartridge Kodak) - hence likely date of 1898. It came with the plate back and ground glass screen, but no DDS or film back. The rollers are still in place inside (as is one original roll film spool). The handle is intact and appears original, but has no name stamped into the surface unlike later models.
The leather is dry and scuffed but intact. The cartridge release button above the take up spool has lost most of its leather covering. The bellows are a good strong colour and are intact.
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| Model / Variant: | First model with wooden lens standard, wooden baseboard and brass metalwork. |
| Lens: | Unmarked, but probably Rapid Rectilinear |
| Shutter: | Prosch Triplex |
| Date of this Example: | 1899 |
| Serial Number: | Serial number in hinge line on door is 2978. |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 418 |
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Description
An early model of the No 5 Cartridge Kodak with wooden front and brass fittings and a stunning Prosch Triplex Shutter. This example of the camera is one of the last made prior to the metal fittings changed from brass to nickel plate according to Coe [4]. It came complete with the plate back as well as the original roll film back.
The focus scale is not the original EKC scale, but a replacement from G Gennert, N.Y. The camera also has a contemporary shutter release bulb, though this is now rather hard and dry.
The camera body has been dyed at some point early in its history and is a reddy-brown colour (some sides are more worn and faded than others). The top face is in poor condition: the leather is missing over the opening button (and the button itself has gone); there is damage at one end above the rollfilm holder and the handle is not original either.
The bellows are in good condition and appear to be original. There is one slight misfold in the last section, but barely visible when on display.
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| Model / Variant: | Model F with metal standard and aluminium baseboard. |
| Lens: | Rapid Rectilinear |
| Shutter: | Bausch & Lomb Automatic |
| Date of this Example: | c1907 |
| Serial Number: | Serial number 17071 stamped into leather on underside. |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 172 |
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Photos copyright © 2012 David Purcell. Do not use without permission. | ||||||||||||
Description
No 5 Cartridge Kodak camera Model F with spirit levels fitted, which were introduced in 1903, from serial 14100, and has a serial number of 17071. Coe [4] states that 17500+ were made in total (discontinued in 1907), hence best guess at the date of this particular example.
The camera is in good order. The aluminium baseboard does not show signs of any significant 'rot' (corrosion of the aluminium). The leather is in good order, albeit with some marks and scuffs on the surface.
The camera came with its original leather case, in good condition with a Kodak Ltd, 115 Oxford Street label (green) in the lid. The clasp has broken on the case and the stitching needs some attention, but it is basically sound.
The camera contains an exposed film.
Notes
The easiest of the Cartridge Kodaks to find is the No 4 Cartridge Kodak; the larger No 5 Cartridge Kodak is not quite so common but turns up from time to time. The No 3 Cartridge Kodak is the more difficult size to find on the collectors market.