Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic Japan Crystal

[dlaciak]

It's me again. I have a Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic Japan Crystal finish camera, but it seems to have a different lens as compared to all the other ones I've seen on the net.

Here is an image of the camera:




Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

Dawn

[diser]

Dawn, I can't quite tell what lens have you got there... McKeown's says this camera should have either Meniscus Achromatic, Rapid Rectilinear or Kodak Anastigmat lens. Otherwise it should be similar to http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Kodak- ... aphic.html
Your lens mount/shutter seems exactly like this one - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeronimogi ... 058951169/

[dlaciak]

It is strange, isn't it? I've asked that gentleman if he knows what type of lens that is. thanks for the info!

[diser]

Dawn,
Can you disassemble the camera and look behind the shutter?
Kodak Anastigmat has a clear indication on the front, so it's not that.
Meniscus Achromatic versions had a smaller opening, and actual lens are behind the shutter.
Rapid Rectilinear (I beleive it's a double-meniscus lens?) could be the case, but I am not sure.

Also, your lens could have been retrofitted from a "Special" model.
Check these descriptions: http://vpk.staff.shef.ac.uk/page10.html

[dlaciak]

This does sound right:

Rapid Rectilinear (Bausch & Lomb).
A double meniscus system in which two achromatized meniscus lenses are arranged symmetrically on either side of the aperture stop, reducing or eliminating distortion, coma and lateral colour. The lens was fitted between 1917 and 1926 and is often found on VPK Special cameras.

The guy on flickr told me that it was a Rapid Rectilinear, and also I've noticed that this camera looks more like an Autographic special based on the front housing design.

I'll see if I can take it apart tonight and have a look - thanks for the suggestions!