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On my annual visit home to Fonthill, Ontario last summer my dad gave me a wonderful gift: my grandfather, Gordon Woodward's 1930s Kodak Six-16 folding camera. My uncle had the camera sitting in a closet in Florida, and on a recent visit he passed it to my dad to give to me. The camera was in mint condition and came in it's original leather case which still contained it's old tattered paper manuals.
Immediately I wanted to see if I could use the camera, but after doing a little research online I learned that Kodak stopped making 616 film in the mid-1980s.
Determined, I dug a little deeper and learned that 120 film, which Kodak still manufactures today, is only slightly narrower and, theoretically, can be used inside the camera.
However, since 120 film spools are shorter, I would need to use spacers on either end of the film in order for it to fit inside the camera. Through more Internet research I found a gentleman in Italy named Claudio Bettio who manufactures CNC aluminum spacers designed specifically to do this. I emailed him and purchased the spacers, which he posted to me in Singapore.
With Claudio's guidance, and using thin cardboard strips I cut from my business cards which I held in place with
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sturdy black tape, I was able to slightly decrease the size of the film chamber inside the camera to prevent light leak.
Finally, with the assistance of my father-in-law, his power drill and a sanding disc, we were able to shave down the plastic tops of each roll of 120 film, slightly narrowing their circumference so the film could unwind/wind properly inside the camera.
Getting my grandfather's camera to work was a challenge, but it was also a labour of love. And, in the end, it was a success.
I made a total of 18 photographs on three rolls of film this past summer, all of which exposed properly.
And my primary goal, which was to capture a family portrait of three generations of Woodwards -- all of my grandfather's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren -- turned out beautifully.
Here are the results: the first is a picture of my father that I made on my iPhone as he helped me set-up the camera for the family photograph; the second is the actual family portrait that I made using my grandfather's 80 year-old Kodak Six-16 camera. Two great memories of a wonderful summer day spent with family.
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This is my personal space for creative experimentation and sharing my original work, artistic collaborations, photographic inspirations and general adventures in picture making.Follow me on:
Thank you so much, Kal. This is a wonderful sentiment; I am extremely grateful for this. As I mentioned, it was a labour of love getting the camera working again. I was committed to doing it, not just for me but for my father and uncle too. Both understood how special it was and it felt fantastic to be able to give them this memory as well. I appreciate your time and comment, Kal — thank you. I am smiling now…
Comment by Scott — July 24, 2012 @ 7:24 AM
I left this on LIF but it also belongs here…
There is something wonderfully Tao like about the idea that your grandfathers camera is used to record the living generation of his descendents. I love it for the idea as much as for the love and effort it took to get I back working. I hope you will treasure It and use it more Scott…every time you do…your grand dad smiles ;-)))) K
Comment by Kal — July 24, 2012 @ 4:10 AM
[…] year-old camera. If you’re interested in what I did to get the camera working, please visit my blog for the summary. I hope you find the story interesting. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "My […]
Pingback by Lost in Focus » Daily Shots » My Generation — July 22, 2012 @ 3:17 PM
This is a very generous compliment, Kirsten — thank you so much for your kindness. I appreciate your interest and your time in reading the background and writing me with your thoughts. That’s great that you ran into Stacey in Fonthill this summer. Unfortunately I missed the Canada Day celebrations that evening as I was on a motorcycle ride with my brother. Perhaps I’ll see you there next summer… Thank you again so much.
Comment by Scott — July 21, 2012 @ 6:09 PM
Thank you so much, Kevin. It is, indeed, pretty amazing to think about that… I am so grateful that you appreciate the effort that I put into making that happen as well as the sentimentality behind it. Of course you can have a JPEG of the family photograph. My dad is actually going to send one out to the whole family this week end, so hang tight… Thank you again and so great to see you and Stacey and meet little Connor in Fonthill this summer.
Comment by Scott — July 21, 2012 @ 6:07 PM
Thank you so much, Ida. I am grateful for you taking the time to read my story and look at the photograph. As I said, it was a labour of love but it was fun and I am so glad I did it. Thank you for your kind words and your interest.
Comment by Scott — July 21, 2012 @ 6:05 PM
Wow great jobs Scott …… congratulation. I am happy reading your small story of your’s summer holiday with your family in Canada. But I am more happy when I see the beautiful photograph of Woodward’s family which you made using your grandfather’s camera. Thanks Scott for sharing ….
Comment by Ida Wuryanti — July 20, 2012 @ 8:56 PM
So awesome. It is amazing to think that the same camera likely took many of pictures that your father used in his amazing video he produced. Great job, Scott. Literally, it gives me goose bumps. Any way you can send me a jpeg of the photo?
Comment by Kevin Woodward — July 20, 2012 @ 8:51 PM
Scott you are very talented and determined photographer. I love the story and the out come. Congrats the picture is beautiful.
Kirsten
P.S I had the pleasure of meeting your wife this summer on Canada day at Harold black park!
Comment by Kirsten deJong — July 20, 2012 @ 6:34 PM
I need to thank YOU, Chong; I couldn’t have done it without all your assistance and the support of your Fotohub team here in Singapore. Thank you so much!!
Comment by Scott — July 20, 2012 @ 3:19 PM
Congratulations for the success!
Comment by Chong Wai Keat — July 20, 2012 @ 3:07 PM