1921 Kodak 3A — Shooting 50-year-old film in a 100-year-old camera

Shooting a circa 1921 Kodak 3A using Verichrome Pan in the native 122 size. The film I'm using expired in 1969, two years before size 122 film was discontinued. I discuss a few of the primary features of the camera and then take it out shooting. The use of dry plates is also briefly discussed.

This may end up being a "Part 1" video, as there are more features to discuss about this camera and its immediate sibling, the 3A Special series.

Please also take a look at Jason Lane's dry plates offered here:

[michaelrundle]

Great video! Retired Kodak employee of 30 years, most of which were in Rochester, though I worked in the graphic arts division of Kodak. Kodak was a wonderful company to work for and virtually every employee took great pride in making products of the highest quality, as evidenced by this camera and film. Thanks for sharing.

[Kaiya.Kulshan]

Dry plates sound fascinating I wouldn't know where to begin thank you for the resources

[DDFJ]

I remember being a little kid and playing with a camera very similar to this one at my grandparents house. I can't help but wonder if it is still there! My grandmother is the only one still living. I should ask soon.

[Narsuitus]

Thanks for the video.

A few years ago, I was going to buy one of these cameras until I learned that fresh 122 roll film was no longer produced.

[StuartHerrington]

Awesome that you’ve managed to get good exposures on old film. And that you’ve been able to shoot with the combination back, they’re pretty hard to get hold of.

I’ve got a slightly different version where the bellows and lens system separate from the film back, I have been using 6x4 photo paper and have gotten some nice results, but I have to change after each shot using a dark bag. I’ve been meaning to build a new back housing to replace the roll film back with a 4x5 film holding system, but I’ve been putting it off for a year. I’ve finally just picked up three 4x5 sheet holders so hopefully will be able to make a start on that now, and then buy a ground glass to help focus. I may document the process 😅

[Gutowski]

Cool, I occasionally use my dads old Zeiss Ikonta from the late thirties.

[KurtClark]

This is fantastic! All through the video I was asking myself, "I wonder if the camera could be outfitted to accept 4x5 large format film sheets. Then you showed the plate adapter at the end! It's brilliant, and the pictures that thing took are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

[pedromeza]

Cut film sheets can also be used instead of the dry plates.

[MilledSteel]

My photography interest was sparked recently while watching a video about the Mallory expedition to Everest and the lost camera 👍

[terryroth]

Pretty awesome from a very old camera and very old film. Well done!

[ethanmietzner]

This is awesome. I just bought a Kodak Pocket 1A Model C with red bellows. I stumbled upon it in an antique store in the upper Peninsula in Michigan in a Ghost town! It got me into film now. Im from Washington in Snohomish

[The.Historical.Record]

I can't believe it nothing gummed up in the cold!

[exposurebar-andrewhoyle]

This is great, thanks for putting this video together. I just recently acquired my grandfathers old cameras (one of which is this very camera). I was sad to hear that they don't make the film for it anymore, although not surprised, as I hoped to try and use it with my own photography.
Love the shots of the Mukilteo lighthouse and of Snoqualmie River areas, since I've lived in the Everett area my whole life. Thanks again for putting this video together, and I hope you have a fantastic weekend. 😊

[lensman]

Beautiful timeless photography. Thanks for using these old marvels of mechanical engineering a nd not just collecting them.

[grahvis]

122 film! Wow. I have used 116 film in a Kodak Autographic, I thought those negatives were big.

[jesspattphotos]

I’m about to use my great grandfather’s 3A with 120 film. I can’t wait, and this video is super helpful. Thank you!

[KyraRodriguez-it]

Good Afternoon, Thank you for this video! I have a NO.A-122 and always wanted to retire from photography to do photography. Not retired yet but needed a spark. So I am placing my 122 into action. I decided to go a different route than the 122 film... I found roll adapters - 3d printed btw. and am going to put 120 through it. First I'm going to put a roll of 35 through just to see if shutter and focus are functioning as they should. Thank you for the details in your video, I am surprised that even in the bright snow you are using f45 at 8s. WOW... I have to run the gamut and take notes on time and conditions. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[tplyons]

I am amazed they still made it in 1971!

[schlurpie]

i recently got this camera. unfortunately, there are tiny holes in the bellows. i wonder if there's a way to repair them

[snarky_user]

Having the negative the same size as the print was a wonderful thing. Amateur photographers could easily make very detailed prints with cautious use.