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Illustration of the lens.
The first one is the Kodak Autographic Camera
(the link is to the instruction manual-the internet is a wonderful thing!)
All I saw in the charity shop was the beautiful worn leather case. I had a quick look but waited until I got home to investigate. It is a beautiful thing! It concertinas out of the case and has all sorts of satisfying little controls to twiddle. The photo the other day was taken through the lens-I have no idea how to do ttv (through the viewfinder) photography so that was my version!
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In the back of the case it is described as a 'pocket camera'.
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(What I imagine the boy above would be wearing)
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The instructions explain why this was a good idea for the amateur-
'The Autographic Record as a Guide
Many amateurs have distinctly improved the quality of their work by making notes, at the time of exposure, of the prevailing conditions. As. Bright light, 1/25 sec., stop No. 8, which, by the way, can be easily abbreviated to: B. 1/25, 8. By keeping such records the amateur can quickly find the cause of failure, if any. By comparing negatives and records he will soon get a line on his errors and when he knows what his errors are, he can easily rectify them. It is obvious that the best way to make these records is autographically - on the film, at the time.'
This is all very well-but what a faff! I like the way it says 'the cause of failure, if any',
conceding that even the amateur may be able to succeed!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKkhtnSVSHR3nTKrw1vcuaHigkn8LZePdXfE97iIaav-LDmlRva3GFDVZhIbh8B5e883rMJScDKkjyNfN26H0SdnBgPfoV0wKdzbfmj93NG1lIpFDUW0BYMGim-lIETIiwJahkrT4tWI/s400/camera+1.jpg)
The other purchases take less explaining.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IueRQky9u4vQAsh8kvCOafuDdl__qnJKors_bnvwizpImXeoJiyzb__Tb11sjdM2fmVUfgQvEb13XTZIkUDYdHQx3Csm0B2vijQxBsCrShQDasnpaTqug1g96BimiFfBBnfeaTSsZ1s/s400/cups+2.jpg)