C Ordinary (1891)

The C Ordinary Kodak is the largest of the series, taking pictures of 4 x 5 inch (10 x 12,5 cm) on darkroom loaded film or plates. The A or B ordinary are for films only, having no provision to accomodate a plate holder. The film holder back of the C Ordinary, which is visible in the video, can be replaced with a plate holding back. When this model was sold with a plate back only, it was called C Ordinary Glass Plate Kodak.
The model C cost $ 15.00, for which the buyer got a camera with a double lens, revolving waterhouse stops, two reflecting finders, an automatic exposure counter and a shutter with adjustable speed. There is also a focusing lever to set the distance with. It is a typical snapshot camera, being quite easy to use. It also is a camera for people who could not, or did not want to, pay more for a camera. Other 4x5 inch box cameras of the day were the C Daylight ($ 25), the No. 4 Kodak ($ 50), No. 4 Kodak Junior ($ 50).
The C Ordinary was introduced in 1891 and discontinued in 1895. Only 2025 were made and it is not seen often today.