WW1 PERIOD KODAK VPK - with film still inside.

[Danger]

Hey guys,

Just the other day I was looking to buy a travel camera for Gallipoli this year.
I wanted to get the best photos I could...ANZAC service, Baby 700, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine.
I got my camera in the end but saw an old Kodak Vest Pocket Camera.
I knew they were the "soldiers camera" during WW1 and at a certain point, namely after xmas 1914, they were not allowed to use them....
There's also a bit more to it.
So many soldiers sent them home for safe keeping etc....while others continued to take photos of their adventures.

The VPK I just got has a undeveloped film still in it!!
VPK still in it's leather case.

Now this could be very interesting or a major let down.
This VPK is the right kind for the right period.
I'm really hoping there's treasure inside.

I won't know until I receive the camera in the post and have the film developed.
Could be post war photos of the family or garden for all I know.
Or just a fresh roll....
No matter the outcome, it's a great war time camera.

Has anyone else out there got a Kodak VPK?
I couldn't find any link on the forum about WW1 VPK's.

Wish me luck.

[wizardman]

Its a chance worth taking mate..good luck

[douglas2496]

I have a 1917 type VPK. VPKs were made over a long period with only slight changes, and many of them date from the 1920's. You can generally get a good idea of the date from the patent dates on the back, as they kept introducing new features and updating the patents. I would be astonished if you develop the film and find usable old negatives, photographic film has an organic base and generally does not survive long periods of time, and it's unlikely that no one has ever opened this and fogged the film. Also you should bear in mind this is not a modern film type, it's 127 and you would need a specialist to develop it for you.

[Danger]

Hey Douglas,

Yes I'm very keen to confirm the date too.
There has been a fair amount of hand-wringing worrying about the state of the film.
I've been looking for some new 127 film to continue using the camera, some people re-spool 35mm.
When I get the camera I will be taking it to a museum to see if they can help me get the right person to develop the film.
I saw a doco about a VPK that was found with film in it and was developed not long ago.
The pictures were a bit foggy, but they were amazing.
So with that in mind, when I saw this VPK I just had to have it.
It is a gamble, and I've prepared myself for the worst.
Fingers crossed.....

[harryamb2]

good luck.

[douglas2496]

Well good luck with it and please keep us updated. They are very interesting cameras with a great history. Is that documentary available online? I would like to see it.

[Danger]

I will see if I can find it again. Was a BBC Doco either on TV or on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayyu...LtM7mizf8TraBQ
This one is in my Fav's folder.
It might be this one?
I need to sit down and go through my history file.
This one is still good if it's not the right one.
I seem to remember it was an old lady and they surprised her with the photos....

[douglas2496]

Thanks I will take a look.

[Danger]

Ok so I have sourced a company that specialises in developing old films.
I will have to send the Film away and it's about a 10 day turn around.
You guys will be the first to see whatever comes out.
WW1 vs Cat photos.........
Please be ww1.. ha ha.

[Danger]

Hey,

I got the camera today.
Looks like it has the 12 exposures per roll film in it.
I tried to wind the film but it didn't move onto number 12.
Could be striped tractors? must've been sitting on no#11 for a long time.
I'm not going to open it, I will be sending the whole thing to the specialist.
They can open it in a dark room.
Lets just hope there's some WW1 photos in there....
If not, I will post whatever comes out.

Cheers