Film cameras
Kodak 4F User manual
User manual for Kodak 4F. 104 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
104 pagesEnglish3.7 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Kodak
- Model / document
- Kodak 4F
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 104
- File size
- 3.7 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 7 · Read text
\F
FI R ST.
LTVERY KOI)AK is resrccl anrl loacled L befc.rre it leaves the factory ancl is
known to be in working condition. That t' tl-re purchaser may be assured of this fact
it is tied with tape and sealed.
@-Iiead tltese Direclions belfore cutting. t/te tay'e.
v' r. O'pen the
front of the
I(odak by
pressing on
the button as
shown in the
cut. Throw
the front down'
until it locks
in position.View original page 7Page 12 · Read text
www.butkus.us
a a
Though the time needed for an Expos-
ure is only a fraction of a second,-the I
pressing of the lever requires enough
force, that, unless the Kodak is held
steady the picture will be blurred.
Y- The Principal Thing
To learn in using the Kodak is to
IfoH il stead)t
while pressing the lever. To do this
requires a little practice, and the user
will do well to trv it a fuw times with
t/te cap on the'lens, going through
all the motions of taking a picture
ercept turning the key. Thus (cap
in place)
, r. Press lever. ' 2. Set shutter.
Repeat several times, then take off
the cap and proceed,
4. I{old it Leuel.-The Kodak nrus!
be held level.
If the operatof attempts to Photograph
a tall building, while standing nearit,
by pointing the Camera upward (think.
ing thereby to center it) the result will
be similar to this : -
IO
ffi Use tlte largest stop.
' L--':- ' -* * *- 'ilView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
This was pointed too high. This build_
rng_ should have been taken from the
opposlte.1!!]9. story window of the buitrlir,g
The. operator should hold it leuel, after
withdrawing t9 a proper airt"".., as q rndrcated by the imagc shown in onef\ or tne hnders on the canlera. a
ffiUse the Aangest stop.View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
www.butkus.us
s-l-
i.,llgi L
:.I$r,"\
l-| jt'r,-:---'
b. If the obiect is low down on the
ground, iike'a small child, or dog, the
I(odak should be held down level with
the centre of the object.
5. Point the Kodoft in the same direc-
tion in rvirich the sun shines.
a. The sun should shine directly upon ' the object
b. Photograph the sunny side.
c. Do not attempt to Photograph the
shady side.
d. The sun should be at back of the Operator, or over his shouider-never ci|i
in front of him.
I2
*:View original page 14Page 17 · Read text
.!ry
Turn the l.:ey to the right, (if you turn it
to the left it will corne out. the indi-
I cator rerrolves to the left) until the
indicator stands thus :
!-*
I
or until the indicator snaps. {
Nore : The noise of the spring which prevents the key
from being turned backward should not be mistaken for the
indicator alarm,
r5l
I
LView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Tirc Koclcrlc Ls ?Lora reaiiy for the nert
Enpostare,
If it is intended to make a note of this
Exposure, or other inciclents concerningit, do it at once and so keelt a record of it. ti
It will be wise to make this order of procedure a
.f{abit, for then the Kodak will be readv for any
view that may be presented. You will not need to
t' Turned the Key "-try to remember whether you
Iiey " be the last act of the thelet the " t'Turn before.t' goneexposure
Nolice //tis.
'Ihe position for
holding the Kodak,
shown ol1 pa.ge. 9, isfor making horizontul
pictures;if a vertical
picture is wantecl tire
Kodak should be held
on its sicle thus :
ii
t6View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
! For the majority of pictures the hori-
zontal position lvill be found the most
appropriate, but for hi.qh, ltarrow builcl-
ings, full length single figures ancl sirnilar
subjects, the vertical position will be founcl
preferable. The finder on the front of
the camera will enable the user to cleter-
mine which is the best position for any
given subject.
The Kodak cannot be used f.or instan-
tgneoul exposures the open air (out-of- _in doors) unless the Sun is Very Briglit.
The speed of the shutter can be adjusted - faster or slower by turning the milled head
that regulates the tension of the shutter
spring, as shown in cut on page 20.
fr$The shutte'. is adiLrsted at the
factory, and it should riot be altered
except for special rvork in the hands of
experienced persons who do their own
developing. We cannot assume any re-
sponsibility for good results if altered.
lVhen the shutter is set to work quick - enough to catch z,cr! swift moving objects,
+' much of the light is lost, and the picture becomes a mere silhor-rette.
t7View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
www.butkus.us 1
rl
?/te Stops.-On opening the front of the Dcamera a pivoted disc may be seen close
behind the shutter, rvhich has four holes
of clifferent sizes. 'l'his disc can be shifted
from one side to the other, so as to bring
either hole in the centre of the lens.
These holes admit light to the lens in the
proportion of, r, %, + and iS, and theY
should be used as follows:
r. T'h.e Larges/-!-or a// onlinary instantane-
ous e.r?osures when the sun shines.
2, Tlte Second-I'or instantaneous exposures ti
when the sun-light is unusually strong
and there are no heavyshadows; such as
r in views on the seashore or on the water, I or in tropical or semi-tropical climates;
also for interiors (time exposures,
the time of exposure required is given
in the table on page z6).
5. The Th.ird-For interiors, (see page z6). I
Neaer for instantaneous exposures, l ro. T/te Smallesl-For cap exposures outdoors
in cloudy weather. Neaer. for instan' laneous eccbosures. The time required
for on cloudy days'with I smalle-st"tp "*poturesst6p will range ftom f second
to 5 seconds, according to the light. ' Seepage2T. 3 l\then setting the stops always see that
the one to be used is brougltt to t/te cenlre
of the lens where it catches. F
rg d
IView original page 20Page 22 · Read text
www.butkus.us
THIRD.
OW to make Exposures within the
House.
r. Put on the cap, and set the shutter
as for instantaneous exposures.
FIG. SET FOR INSTANTANEOUS EXPOSURES. '_SHUTTER
z. Lower the shutter until it catches
in the middle notch as shown in
figure two, this will bring the open- aF
ing in the shutter exactly between I
thg lenses so that the'lisht can
pass through when the cap is
removed.
ItiView original page 22Page 24 · Read text
www.butkus.us
The l{odak is.ttoro ready for Ittteriors.
Ilut as more time is necessary than
when working out-of-cloors (in the
.' broad, olten sLrn-light) the follorvir-r{r directions must be arlherecl to iir
order to get satisfactory results.
Bear in mind then, in these ..Interior "
are . Exposures, the Cord and IJutton not nsed until all that are intended to
be made are made. The button should
then be pressed and the cord pulled in
order to set the shutter, befoie taking
out the plug for outside work.
.1. Place the l(oclak on some steacly
sr:pport-a nrantel, table, buffet, etc.
' (A regular tripocl may be used if
preferred. See price list).
q. Place the Kodak in the corner of
the room, if a general view of the
, room ts wanted.
#View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
!!ss
t
'l'his is a diagram of a room having windows on
two sides, showing positions where the liodak rnay
be placed with propriety.
6. l)o not point it toward an uncur-
tained window. Where there are
't windows within range, draw the
curtains or close the blinds so as to
allow light to enter only at your
back ; don't let it come in in front
of the Kodak.
7. There must be no sunshine within
range of the Kodak.
a
23View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
www.butkus.us
8. Detach the cap, holding the Kodak
steady with the other hancl ; hold the cap an instant in front of the
lens and remove the other hand:
then when all is steady take away
the cap.
Do not'rest the hand on the Kodak
during the exposure.
'fime the Exposure by a watch. 9.
IO. Replace the cap.
At the same time that one hand replaces
the cap the o//terhand should be placed
on the Kodak that the cap may be
inserted quickly and securely.
I I. Turn the key.
24 tIView original page 26Page 28 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Ttur NEEDED poe IN'rBRtrlR ExposuRrl,s.
The following table gives the time of
exposure recluired under varying condi-
tions of light with the secotttl largest stof
(No. z) in the lens. lf the largest stop
(Xo. r) is usecl give only one-half the time,
if the srnalleststop (No. ro) is usecl givg 5
tirnes the tirne of the table. 'I'he smaller
the stop the sharper the -picture. 'fhe second iargest stop gives the best results
for iuteriors.
: White lvalls attcl tnore than one winclow
bright sun outside, 4 seconds,
hazy sun' ro seconds,
cloridy bright, 2o seconds,
cloudy dull, -1o seconds'
White walls and onlY one winclow :
bright sun outside, 6 seconds,
hazysun, r5 seconds,
cloudy bright, 3o seconds,
cloudy dull, 6o seconds.
h Medium colored walls and hangings, and a'
more than one rvindow :
bright sun outside, 8 seconds,
hazy sun, zo seconds,
cloudy bright, 4o seconds,.
cloudy dull, 8o seconds
26View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
Medium colored walls and hangings, and
only one witrdotv :
bright sun outside, r2 seconds,
hazy slln, 30 seconds,
cloudy bright, 6o seconds,
cloudy dull, rzo seconds.
l)ark colored walls and hangings, and
more thatl otle rvindow :
bright sun outside, 20 seconds,
hazy sttu, 4o seconds,
cloridy bright, 8o seconds,
cloudy dull, z mintttes 4o seconds.
Dark colorecl walls arrcl hangings, ar-rcl orlly
clue witrclow :
bright sun outside, 4o seconds,
hazy sun, 80 seconds,
cloridy bright, z minutes 4o seconds,
cloudy dull, 5 minutes 20 seconds-
'.fhe foregoing is calculated for rooms
whose windows get the direct light frotn
the skv. and for hours from three hours
after sunrise to three hours before suuset-
If earlier or later, the time required will
be longer
Cep ExposuREs IN THE OPnN Atn.t
When the smallest stoy' is in the lens the
light admitted is so much redr"rcecl that
27View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
www.butkus.us
exposures otlt of doors may be macle with
the cap the same as interiors but tl-re ex-
posure must be much shorter-
[,tr/ith Su.n.s/tine-The cap can hardly be
taken off and replaced quick enough to
avoid over-exposure.
second Ll/ilh Li.qht Clouds-From /2 to t
will be sufficient.
With l{eauy Clouds-l-rom 2 to 5 seconds
will be required.
The above is calculated for the same
hours as mentioned on page 27 and f"or
objects in the open air. I'or other hours
orfor objects in the shadow, under porches'
or under trees no accurate directions citll
be given ; experience only can teach the
proper exposure to glve.
28View original page 30Page 32 · Read text
www.butkus.us
and serves to project the flame of the lamr;
uporl the porvder, when it is clesirecl tL
take. a picture.' As soon as the flame
to.u.ches. the llorvder it flashes rlp all intense
w.hrte lrght, sulhcielrtly stroug to make a plcture rnstantan eously.
the flash^ Y"Ly_interiorslight that arecanimpracticablebe taken withbt,i;; light, either by reason bf a lack of illumi_
natlon or because there are windows in the
direct line of the view which cannot be
darkened sufficiently to prevent the blur_ ring of the picture.
Pictures are taken so quickly that groups
of people around a dinner tante or carcl
table can be taken as clear ana sharp as if they-were in the open sunlight. l.his en_
ables the photograliher to obTain souvenirs
of many occasions which have hitherto
been quite beyond the range of the art.
Pllolorfraphhg & Roorn.-The camera .
exposure by:l:Ytd ?: prepared for capsettrng the slrutter open and putting in tht
P.lyS, 1s directecl ori pages ,o and zt of
this Manual, and placing"it on some levelsupport where it will take in the view of {the room desired.
3oView original page 32Page 33 · Read text
?reparatfons of lhe Flas/t Ligfit.-'l'he -should light always be placed two feet
Uefrina and two to three feet to one side
of the Kodak. If placed in front or on a
line with front of the camera' the flash
would strike the lens and blr-rr the picture.
It should be placed at one side as well as
behind. so as to throw a shadow and give
a little relief in the lighting. l'he lamp
should be at the same height, or a little
higher than the camera. 'l'he support
upbn which the lamp is placed should not
pioject far enough in front of it to cast a
shadow in front of the camera. A piece
of card board a foot square placed under
the lamp will prevent any sparks f rom the
flash doing any damage. A sheet of white
card-board set up behind the flash lamp
will act as a reflector and increase the
strength of the picture.
T.lrtNc rHE Ptcrunn.
Having the Kodak and lamP both in
position, light the lemp and press the
bulb to make sure that the flame can be
driven to the center of the tray. Then lay
andl*, the bulb down (to prevent accident),
pour upon the tray in front of the flame
ihe contents of one of the capsules gf
3rh
/F
rfView original page 33Page 34 · Read text
www.butkus.us
powder that accornpany the lamp ; thert uncap the camera, stand at f'.ngif, and press the bulb. There will".-'.be a Uri[ni
flash which will.instantly impress the ture on the sensitive film. tl'hen cap fi;_the
camera and turn a fresh film into ptoce
with the key ready for another pictuie.
NoT'r.-The amount.of powd-er reqrrired to light
a room varies with the distance of the 6Uiect farth-est
from.the cam_era, and the of ihl wails and
nangtngs. \4,hen more than"oto,one capsule is to be
onl:.*the"]lthepowdertrav. shoutd be pouredi" ;;;-pil;
TABLE.
tr'or ro /eet distance and
Iight walls and hangings, use r capsule.
For ro ifeet distance and
dark walls and hangings, use z capsules.
For 15 feel dislance ancj
light walls and hangings, use z capsuies.
For r 5 feet distance and
dark wails and hangings, use 3 capsules.
For z5 ifeet dislance artd
light walls and hangings, use 3 capsules.
For z5 ifeet dislance and,
dark walls and hangings, use 4 capsules. -h* The above is calculated for the largest
stuP in the lens.
32View original page 34Page 35 · Read text
I
To mafre a Portrait.-place the sitter in
) l, a cha-ir partly facing the camera (which
should be at the height of an ordinary
, table), and turn the face slightly toward
) the camera. 'l'he proper distance from the
camera to the subject can be ascertained
by looking at the iinage in the finrler.)
The lamp should be on the side of the
camera a\vay from the face, that is the
sitter should not face the lamp. l'he lamp
should be placed higher than the head oi
the sitter
To nmhe a Group.-Arrange the chairs
in the form of an arc, facing the ca.mera,
so that each chair will be exactly the same
distance from the camera. Half of the
persons composing the group should be
seated and the rest should siand behind
the chairs. If the group is large, any
number of chairs may be used, but non-e
of the subjects should be seated on the
floor, as sornetimes seen in large pictures,- bec.ause the perspective wo.tld be too
vrolent.
Backgrounrls.-In making'single por-
trarts or groups, car.e should be taken to
have a suitable background against which
33View original page 35Page 36 · Read text
www.butkus.us
the.figures will show in relief ; a light
background is better than a ciark one, ind
oft.en a s.ingle figure or two will shoiv up
well agaiust a lace curtain. For larger
groups a medium light wall will be suitable. t 'the fnders on the camera will aid the
operator to compose the groups so as to
get the best effect. In order to make the
image visible in the finder the room will
have to be well lishtecl with ordinarv lamn
light, which -uy -be left on while the pii-
ture is being nrade, provided none of lights
are placed so that they show in the fineler.
THn EesrMAN Courlxv,
Rochester. N. Y.
h
34View original page 36From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.