3. Renovation part 1

The first camera which could preserve an image was invented in the 1830s. It consisted of a large wooden box with a hole on one side to let in the light, a smaller version of the earlier camera obscura (which projected an image but had no way of preserving it).

The difference was a silver-plated sheet of copper inside the box which was exposed to the light and then developed using mercury fumes and sodium thiosulphate. The inhalation of mercury was already known to be dangerous, but 19th century photographers didn't worry about Health & Safety concerns!

In the 1850s the first bellows camera was produced. This made cameras much lighter and more easily transported because the large wooden box could be folded up. Gradually the silver plate was replaced by tin, glass and eventually paper, but it was still too expensive and specialist for anyone other than professionals and rich enthusiasts. The first camera manufactured for 'ordinary people' was the Kodak No.1, invented by George Eastman in 1889. Although it didn't yet have bellows, this camera was the great grandfather of my No.1A Autographic Kodak.

The bellows on my camera are made of thin black leather and it is the most vulnerable part of the camera, being subjected to frequent forces during opening and closing.

I open the back and hold the camera up to a strong light, noting that there are several areas of light showing through. My first idea of repairing on the inside with black electrical tape fails as soon as I close the camera. It's clear I'm going to have to paint something on, but what?

I discover that acrylic paint is flexible when it dries, as is PVA glue. So I mix a small amount and paint it into the corners and grooves where I can see light leaking.

It's looking good, but the test will be when it's completely dry, to check that it doesn't crack when the bellows are closed. Fixing the light leaks now will prevent wasting film later, so it's worth the time and effort.

While the paintwork on the bellows is drying, I look at the steel runners which are in a poor state and very stiff. It's difficult to open and close the bellows smoothly, so I'm sure that must be adding stress to the leather material.

First I tackle the visible parts with an aluminium foil and vinegar solution, which cleans the runners up nicely.

Then I think about how to reduce friction. I decide to rub a tiny piece of candle wax up and down, because it won't run onto other parts or dry up like oil.

What a transformation!

The result is great, I'm really pleased with my efforts and the mechanism now works quite smoothly.

It's time to start thinking about finding some film to fit my No.1A Autographic Kodak.

How exciting!