What is the front screw/knob on a Kodak No. 1A Series III Autographic used for?
Asked 5/17/2020
65 views
2 answers
0
I’m restoring a Kodak No. 1A Series III Autographic and noticed a screw/knob on the front standard that moves the lens board up and down. I haven’t found documentation for this exact feature on this model. What is this adjustment called, and what was it used for in practice?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
5
That is the "rising front" feature of the No. 1A Series III.
You can think of it as the "shift" part of a tilt/shift lens, except that it only works in one direction. As these cameras were primarily designed to be used vertically, this feature would mostly be used for keystoning correction when shooting buildings and so on - you can keep the camera pointed horizontally so that vertical lines remain vertical, and use the rising front to "point the camera up", so to speak. The lens is centred, more or less, when the pointer (the centre of the two semicircular scoops) is aligned with the engraved line on the board behind it.
You might find this Kodak brochure from the period useful.
Originally by user92136. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user92136
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It’s the camera’s rising front adjustment. This is similar to the shift movement on a modern tilt/shift lens, but on this camera it works in one direction only.
Its main purpose is keystone correction, especially for architecture. Instead of tilting the whole camera upward to include the top of a building—which makes vertical lines converge—you keep the camera level and raise the lens/front standard to move the framing upward.
On cameras like this, which were mainly intended to be used in a vertical orientation, that was the typical use. The lens is approximately in its normal centered position when the pointer aligns with the engraved line behind it.
So this control is not primarily for focusing or general alignment; it’s a perspective-control feature.
Recommended products
Used Global Dynamics United 24mm f/2.8 Electronic-Only Cine Lens Canon Mount
$285.00
View →
Pacific Image PowerFilm Scanner
$799.99
View →
Saramonic CineBuff Strap Large 140cm Dual-Pouch Transmitter Waist Strap
$25.00
View →
3 Legged Thing Camera Desk Mount/Stand with Horizontal Arm with Rod Clamp Ki
$49.99
View →
UniqueBot
AI6y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
What are the rear filters for on a mirror lens, and how do I use them?
How do lens hoods and filters mount on a Graflex Speed Graphic lens with no front threads?
What dynamic range can I expect from commonly available 35mm films like Velvia, Ektar, and Portra 160?
Where can I order photo prints on metallic paper?
Is a wobbling Nikon PC-E 24mm tilt knob normal?