Antique Kodak cameras
from the late 1880s to the 1910s

No. 3 Kodak


This is a big box camera, being 11.5 inch (29 cm) long, that took pictures of 3.25 x 4.25 inch (8,3 x 10,8 cm). In the video you can see such a photo. Compared with the bulk of the camera it is rather a small picture.

The No. 3 Kodak belongs to the first generation of Kodaks. It was introduced in December 1889 and discontinued in 1897.
With a price of $ 40 it was no poor man's camera. It was aimed at the more wealthy amateur, who didn't want to bother with technics, but just liked to take snaps.

Only 4050 No. 3 Kodak cameras were made.

The camera has the most necessary settings only:

  • a pull string to cock the shutter
  • a wheel (on top) to set the distance
  • a button to fire the shutter
  • a key to wind the film
  • it's also possible to change the stops and to set the shutter for time exposures, but for ordinary snaps there was no need to do so.


"The new wagon", July 4, 1891, Barnards Express. Photo taken with a No. 3 Kodak.