No. 3 Cartridge Kodak (1900–1907) Working Condition

The No. 3 Cartridge Kodak appeared in 1900 as the smallest member of the series. The No. 3 and No. 5 cartridge cameras are not common as cartridge No. 4. This particular camera is in fairly good condition but there are age related signs visible on the front nickel plated parts and the front door/bed wooden part is damaged (please refer to photos). Shutter works well and no oil visible but no guarantee for the accuracy. The lens is in good condition. The empty wooden spool is included and in fairly good condition. The leather covering, the leather carrying handle, red bellows, are all in good condition for the age. The front door open button on top is in good working condition.

It offered:

• 3¼ × 4¼ inch negatives
• No. 119 roll film
• Folding self-casing body
• Similar construction and controls to its larger siblings

Its smaller size made it more portable while still producing negatives large enough for excellent contact prints and enlargements. Today it is often considered the least common of the three models (Cartridge 3,4, & 5). Please note: Only what is visible in the photos are included.

Common features

All three cameras shared many design elements:

• Folding leather bellows
• Leather-covered bodies
• Rising front standard for limited perspective control
• Horizontal and vertical brilliant viewfinders
• Red window film advance on the back
• Optional plate holders so photographers could use glass plates instead of roll film - this item is not included in this camera sale
• Interchangeable lens and shutter options depending on the model purchased

Lenses and shutters

Most examples were fitted with:

• Bausch & Lomb Rapid Rectilinear lenses
• Kodak Anastigmat lenses on higher-end models
• Kodak Triple Action Pneumatic shutters
• Later Kodak Ball Bearing shutters

These combinations provided exposure speeds from "Time" and "Bulb" up to around 1/100 second, which was respectable for the era.

End of production

Production of the Cartridge Kodak line largely ended around 1907. By then, Kodak had introduced newer folding camera designs that were lighter, less expensive, and used more standardized film formats. Later cameras, including the Folding Pocket Kodaks and Autographic Kodaks, continued the trend toward portability and convenience.

Collecting today

Collectors value these cameras because they represent Kodak's transition from simple consumer cameras to sophisticated folding roll-film cameras. Original cartridge films (104, 115, and 119) are long discontinued, but enthusiasts sometimes adapt modern 120 film or use custom spools for demonstration and occasional photography.

Model

Introduced

Approx. production

Negative size

Film

No. 4 Cartridge Kodak

1897

1897–1907

5 × 4 in

No. 104 roll film

No. 5 Cartridge Kodak

1898

1898–1907

7 × 5 in

No. 115 roll film

No. 3 Cartridge Kodak

1900

1900–1907

3¼ × 4¼ in

No. 119 roll film

Please Note: All other models and rolls film information is given here is ONLY for information purposes. Those items are not included in the sale.