Reviving a 100+ Year-Old Kodak Camera! What's Inside?

Join us as we inspect and then tear down, clean, and fix a 100+ year old antique box camera. This Kodak No. 3 Brownie Model B dates to the early 1900s - probably between 1911 and 1917. Will it still shoot film? Can we bring it back to being functional in 2023?
SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL
- Photo Prints & Photo/Video Digital Downloads - wirestock.io/r...
- Send a Tip (PayPal) - paypal.me/Rober...
- Patreon - / robertwitham
DRONE FOOTAGE: I hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) endorsement for Part 107 commercial operations.
SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE LINKS
- Website - robertwitham.com
- KZbin - robertwitham.tv
- Instagram - robertwitham
- Twitter - / robertwitham
MUSIC
Music by Jay Witham - jaywitham.com
"Just A Cowboy And His Guitar"
Music by Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com
- "Weathered Eyes" (Sting) - Peter Sandberg
- "Tumbleweed" - Tigerblood jewel
- "Malleable" (Sting) - Cody High
- "The River's Gonna Cry When You're Gone" - Loving Caliber
Try Epidemic Sound for amazing, royalty-free music and sound effects to use on your KZbin channel, Facebook or Instagram page, or podcast. www.epidemicso...
COMMENT POLICY
I love to hear from viewers and welcome varying viewpoints; however, hate speech, bullying, harassment, profanity, vulgarity, or any other form of communication that I would not want my mother, daughter, or granddaughters to read will not be tolerated and will result in the comment being deleted and the commenter be blocked. Let's all just talk nice and treat each other with respect.
DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links I may receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@richard.alber.6137]

I am so excited that you are going to shoot some film through that camera that I gave you, can't wait to see what comes out

[@RobertWitham]

I was surprised and thrilled to discover there are at least a few people still shooting film in these old cameras! We are looking forward to trying it out soon.

[@charlottewilson4680]

I am 74 and we had a camera similar to that when I was growing up. I am guessing it was from the 1940's. This is so cool.

[@RobertWitham]

I was amazed recently to learn that there are at least a few people still shooting film in these cameras on occasion!

[@FrankAndPhotoTutorials]

This is so interesting, I have a Kodak no.2a model b and it's from 1916 and I'm trying currently going to purchase some adapters for trying to take photos. It takes 116 film

[@RobertWitham]

I've seen aftermarket spools and 3D printed adapters on eBay and Amazon. I need to order some when I'm sitting still for a few weeks so we can try actually shooting this camera!

[@Greg_Jones]

There's so many old mirrors left that I wonder if there's something available to renew the silver. Maybe like a model airplane paint quantity. I've got packages at Parker Mail Center to get!

[@fudd6478]

Interesting and pretty awesome... Looking forward to seeing what you do with this camera 🙂

[@sjr7822]

I like the photos with the box camera. I left mine behind when I moved, sadly.

[@RobertWitham]

We’re going to order some film spool adapters as soon as we will be in one plane long enough so we can try shooting some film in it. Fingers crossed…

[@WA7ALUT]

Wishing you a fantastic Birthday love the content. thank you for sharing your knowlege with the world 😀

[@RubberCityRebel]

The view finder has Cataracts

[@jeanclaudebonillo1326]

Happy birthday 🎂

[@RobertWitham]

Thank you!

[@vallijaronsik1864]

If you haven't already gone to the George Eastman Museum in Rochester NY you should. I think you two would enjoy it. Stop on your way to Upstate NY.

[@RobertWitham]

We will definitely have to check that out next time we are back in the northeast! I didn't even know about it so thanks for the tip :)

[@onrycodger]

What? I thought you purchased film for this camera at the beginning of the video?🤔

[@RobertWitham]

I may not have made that part clear as the video was recorded on a few different days... We did order some film from Amazon. The trick is trying to figure out for sure what it's supposed to take as Kodak used several different sizes of film in these cameras - some of which are no longer available.

[@FrankAndPhotoTutorials]

*READ* if you get a 116 camera, the blue moon company sells 116 film!! Your cameras film doesent exist sadly

[@jgviker]

I used some mirrored tiles that I cut down to replace the mirrors in a 1925 Brownie. I’ve run ISO 125 film through it a few times and got some great shots in daylight conditions. I’ve also shot a couple of rolls through an 1898 Kodak Bullseye 2 and had some decent results. Good luck.

[@RobertWitham]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with old cameras! We will have to try some 125 film if I can find it. The 400 is too bright with the limited exposure settings on this camera. It's been fun to play with though!

[@cdaworldnav]

Did they fix ok and what did you used to cut them dowm?

[@RobertWitham]

@@cdaworldnav The mirror that we attempted to use did not cut well and ended up cracking. We need to try something different for the mirror repair (like the mirrored tiles mentioned here), but we were able to shoot the camera using the damaged mirrors that were in it.

[@barackmycat9448]

I remember the Brownie later models. They were cube shaped, top view and a square button cut into the right side. They worked ok. Developing is such a pia now though.......

[@randomrando8350]

I have one, not going to take any pictures with it. (this one is 127 film, when I get a 120 one I will probably take some pictures) I did replace the mirrors with the mirrors from a makeup compact. I scored the glass with a tungsten drill bit and snapped it into about the right size, then reglued them. Seems like it worked, the mirrors were the same thickness.

[@sonofabutcher7003]

Pretty cool! Vintage photography and photography in general is a world unto itself. Great hobby/profession to have as a Nomad. Would be great to see some photos taken from it. What will you use as a darkroom to develop photos?

[@RobertWitham]

We will definitely share the photos (for better or worse) once we have them developed. Still deciding on which photo lab to use, but we will also be sure to share that info as well!

[@mommafae1850]

Ya, they are frosted.

[@ToriLynnH]

Big film Oww finger Can't wait for a picture. Doing any meet ups?

[@lindawitham1876]

You always did like taking things apart!

[@RobertWitham]

Fortunately this camera is pretty simple... It was interesting seeing the inner workings though!

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

Happy Birthday. Very interesting video of how that camera works

[@RobertWitham]

Thank you :) I was quite intrigued by how simple the design was in this old box camera!