No. 4 Kodet (1894)

During 1892 and 1893 the Eastman Kodak Co. experienced substantial difficulties with the quality of the films they produced. During part of 1893 production even stopped. Because amateur photographers lost confidence in the still very young system of film photography, these difficulties were quite a blow. Knowing this, it is easy to understand why Eastman put a number of competitive plate cameras in the market during 1894: the Kodets.
Kodets were primarily plate cameras, but all of them could accomodate roll film holders. So if a potential buyer didn't trust films, he could very well buy a Kodet with plate holders and later on switch to a film holder without difficulty. One of these Kodet cameras is the No. 4 Kodet, sometimes also called No. 4 Regular Kodet. It took 4 x 5 inch (10 x 12,5 cm) pictures on glass plates or a darkroom loaded spool of film for 48 exposures.
Because plate cameras were easy to produce, their price was not high (in most cases). To compete with the cheap cameras from other manufacturers, Eastman also had to offer his Kodets cheap. Economy in production resulted in cameras of a poorer grade. The construction is not as sturdy as with the other Kodaks, the leather is of poorer quality and the shutter mechanism is simpler. With the Kodet cameras Eastman reached a public that could not afford a more expensive instrument (or would not care to spend more money). The No. 4 Kodet cost $ 15 with a simple Achromatic lens or $ 20 with a better Rapid Rectilinear.
The No. 4 Kodet was an easy to use camera, meant for the shapshooter who did not want to bother about special knowledge. The shutter can be set on Time and Instantaneous, and the speed can be adjusted a bit by a lever on front of the lensboard. In the video this lever can be seen under the lens. There is also a wheel with stops and, on one side, a scale for focusing. If the photographer wanted to, he could use the ground glass that is housed in the back of the camera box. In the same compartment there is room for 3 double plate holders. The photographer didn't have to use the ground glass for focusing and composing the image, he could set the distance on the scale and use the little reflecting finders to aim the camera at the scene. The No. 4 Kodet is the only Kodet box outside the UK market. A No. 3 Kodet box was manufactured in the US as well, but it was only sold in the UK. The No. 4 was made from 1894 until 1897, during which time 1413 were made. It is a rare camera today.