Below is a picture of the lenses I currently (June 2009) am playing with:
This is a listing with the lens descriptions. The top two are the aperture blanks. The others are numbered from the top left to the bottom right.
June 9, 2009
March 5, 2009
Vest Pocket Kodak Camera – VPK – First Result
The first image from the VPK lens mounted on a Canon XTI via a focus confirming M42 adapter has been posted on the page. The forecast here for the next four days is rain, but I will probably try some indoor shots.
February 24, 2009
Vest Pocket Kodak Camera – VPK – The Work Begins
Today I removed the lens assembly from the VPK in the worst physical condition. I then disassembled a cheap, old 135mm M42 lens. The lenses, aperture and such met the trash can. Put back together, I have an M42 mount lens that has the twist helical focus system and no optics. Next will be determining where the VPK lens assembly will be positioned to allow infinity focus and I am hoping for some macro capability. According to Kodak information, the VPK has a 72mm focal length. This will hopefully allow for a built in lens hood to help cut down on sun caused flare as the lens has flare all by itself. Also, I hope for the original aperture blades to be operative, The shutter is, of course, useless and will be disabled.
Update March 5, 2009: I have started a page for images using this lens.
February 20, 2009
Vest Pocket Kodak Camera – VPK – The Beginning
A couple of months ago I ran across a website containing a huge amount of photographs taken both with old cameras and modern DSLR’s with lenses taken from old cameras. The combination I like best is a Canon 350D or 5D DSLR and the meniscus lens from a Vest Pocket Kodak, commonly referred to as a VPK. A meniscus lens is a type using only one lens section, sometimes a single piece of glass and other times two pieces glued together. The one referred to here is uncoated, thus there is lens flare galore. Also it returns simply amazing bokeh !
I won’t go into all the ins and outs and history here, a quick online search will return many websites full of information. Here is a very good place to start:
There are two of these diminutive cameras on my desk. One made in Canada and the other in the USA. The best I can determine, both of these were made between 1915 and 1926 – the entire production run of the autographic version. I will be using an old M42 135mm lens assembly to allow focusing – something the original VPK did not have. As the cameras are very old, I’ll probably just remove the lenses and leave the rest intact as neat looking dust catchers. The meniscus version is identifiable by the apparent lack of a glass lens. The front of the lens assembly is a collar that minimizes the aperture, behind that are the aperture blades, next is the shutter, then finally the lens. If you can see glass at the lens board, it is not the meniscus lens version.
Update March 5, 2009 A page for the images has been started.
