No. 4 Folding Kodet - vertical model (1894-1897)

The No. 4 Folding Kodet is an easy to use and cheap instrument for the not so wealthy snapshooter.

There are a few settings:

• The shutter on this early model can be set on instantaneous or time.
• Its speed can be changed from slow to fast by a lever below the lens.
• There are four stops on a wheel that rotates in a slot in the lens barrel.

The camera was sold for $ 15, with a simple achromatic lens, or $ 20 for one with a Rapid Rectilinear lens.

The No. 4 Folding Kodet was sold as a plate camera but could accomodate a roll holder for darkroom loaded film. In the back, behind the plane of focus, is room for a ground glass and three double plate holders or one roll holder. It takes pictures of 4 x 5 inch (10 x 13 cm).

The No. 4 Folding Kodet was made from 1894 to 1897 in two variations: a vertical one (in the video) and a horizontal one. Only 2246 were produced. The No. 3 Folding Kodet looks just like the No. 4 but is a bit smaller.

Below a 2.5 x 2.5" photo with a man holding a No. 4 Folding Kodet camera. On the right the detail with the camera.

Page from the 1894 Kodak catalog.