Kodak 3,5 modèle 42 |
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Manufactured or assembled in France from 1953 to (After) 1957.
Index of rarity in France: Frequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 930
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Kodak
At the end of World War II, Kodak had two historic factories in France: Sevran, which had been dedicated to film development since the 1920s, and Vincennes, formerly known as Pathé, and since 1927, Kodak-Pathé, where films were produced. At that time, there were no camera manufacturing units, and all Kodak cameras available in France were imported products.
As part of the reconstruction of the national industry, imports became much more difficult, and it became necessary to manufacture cameras in France that were sold there. This is what Kodak did based on four series of cameras: the 127 series whose names begin with Star, the Pony, the entry-level 135, the Retinette, the higher quality 135, and the folding cameras in the 620 format. For each of these series, Kodak used existing cameras as a base, also found in the US or UK. One may wonder whether they were actually manufactured in France or simply assembled using French-made lenses. The Brownie Flash, which is a reissue of an American model, can also be mentioned.
The folding 620 series had four successive types. They were all metal cameras, and it was only in the third version that the Ténite1 cover appeared. The opening and deployment of the bellows are automatic. The scissors are horizontal on the first three versions. On the fourth, they are diagonal, thus marking a break in the lineage of models. This is also the only version with a left-hand cover. It is interesting to compare these models to the American Tourist II, which has a right-hand cover but diagonal scissors.
The last French version is simplified, as it no longer has the closing system of the cover by pressing the plate located between the two legs that support the lens/shutter block. The end of the folding camera series is near, and Kodak no longer invests in this type of camera.
1 Ténite refers to a thermoplastic whose name was registered by Eastman in 1939. As it ages, this plastic material undergoes a chemical phenomenon that degrades it, first by forming a white powder on the surface.
Model | Lens | Shutter | Year | ||
![]() folding external viewfinder |
20 | Angénieux 6,3/105 mm | 1/25 au 1/150, B |
6 x 9 | 1949-51 |
![]() The cover is metal. The viewfinder is part of it but protrudes |
31 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | Shutter release on the top synchro |
6 x 9 (carter de l'obturateur différent) |
1950-52 |
31 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | 1 to 1/250, B Shutter release on the top synchro |
6 x 9 |
1950-52 | |
31 Special | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | 1 to 1/250, B Shutter release on the top synchro |
6 x 9 Protection against double exposure |
1950-52 | |
![]() The cover is on the right-hand side, and the struts are horizontal |
A10 | Fixfocus | B, I Non-cocking shutter Release button on shutter synchro |
6 x 9 | 1952 |
A modèle 11 | Meniscus | B, I Non-cocking shutter Release button on shutter synchro |
6 x 9 | 1953-55 | |
21 | Angénieux 6,3/105 mm | 1/25 to 1/150, B Shutter release on the top |
6 x 9 | 1952-55 | |
32 | Angénieux 4,5/105 mm | 1 to 1/250, B synchro |
6 x 9 | 1951-53 | |
33 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm |
1 to 1/250, B synchro Timer |
6 x 9 Griffe pour accessoire |
1953-55 | |
34 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | 1 to 1/250, B Synchro |
6 x 9 | 1953-56 | |
36 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | 1 to 1/250, B synchro |
6 x 9, 6 x 6, 28 x 40 mm | 1953-55 | |
37 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | 1 to 1/250, B Timer Synchro |
Periscope viewfinder 6 x 9, 6 x 6, 28 x 40 mm Griffe pour accessoire |
1954-56 | |
40 | Angénieux 3,5/100 mm | Prontor SV 1 to 1/250, B Timer Synchro M and X |
Periscope viewfinder 6 x 9, 6 x 6 Protection against double exposure Griffe pour accessoire |
1952-55 | |
42 | Angénieux 3,5/100 mm | Timer Synchro M and X |
Periscope viewfinder |
1953-57 | |
![]() The cover is on the left-hand side, and the struts are diagonal |
B11 | Méniscus f/10 |
Pas de marque B, I Shutter release on the top Non-cocking shutter |
6 x 9 and 6 x 6 | 1956-61 |
B31 | Angénieux 4,5 / 100 mm | 1/25 to 1/150, B Shutter release on the top |
6 x 9 and 6 x 6 | 1956-59 | |
B31 | Angénieux 4,5/100 mm | 1/30 to 1/250, B Shutter release on the top |
6 x 9 and 6 x 6 | 1960-61 |
The Kodak modèle 42 is provided with a periscopic finder (i.e. which means that the two windows of the aiming "tube" are not in the same axis) in order to improve the aiming accuracy. It has a treated Angénieux lens 3.5 / 100 mm. The shutter has eight speeds from 1 second to 1/250 th of a second and B.
It has two sync sockets: one for magnesium lamps (indicated by a white dot marked F) and for electronic flash (indicated by a red dot marked X). The small lever (painted yellow) is to be switched to "F" for the electronic flash andfor magnesium type F flash lamps (delay: 5 milliseconds); and switched to M (yellow dot) for the Type M flash lamps (delay: 20 milliseconds)
There is a self timer. Note the presence of a blocking against double exposure which requires turning the film advance button to release the trigger (on the cover). The shutter is cocked in front, above the lens.
This camera provides three negative sizes: 6 x 9 cm, 6 x 6 cm and 28 x 40 mm. The 6 x 9 and 6 x 6 cm formats are obtained with a film 620. A removable mask allows to switch from 6x9 to 6x6.
The format 28 x 40 mm is obtained with a Bantam film (828), but for that, you need to use an accessory that consists of a mask and two reducing axes as the Bantam film cartridge is shorter than the 620. In the viewfinder, the three formats are defined. 6 x 6 is not easy to see because it is contained in the entire red surface
In 1953, Grenier-Natkin was selling that camera at a price of 26,215 French francs.



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