Antique Kodak Folding Hawk-eye No. 2 Model B Black Camera. Usa, 1930-1934

Magnificent example of the Kodak Folding Hawk-Eye No. 2 Model B, produced by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, between 1930 and 1934. This model represents one of the last folding cameras in the Hawk-Eye line, a series designed to combine portability, elegance, and optical precision during the golden age of roll-film photography.

Its design is a true Kodak classic. A metal body covered in textured black leather, perfectly preserved, with bright nickel hinges and clasps that still retain their firmness. The bellows, a vital element of this type of camera, are in excellent condition, with no cracks or light leaks, showing minimal use and careful storage for almost a century.

Equipped with a Taylor f/6.3 lens made in Paris and a Kodak shutter with speeds T, B, 25, and 50, it offers remarkable versatility for its time. It uses 120 film, producing 6 × 9 cm negatives, which made it one of the most popular medium-format cameras among quality amateur photographers. On the back, it preserves the characteristic viewfinder with red window used to monitor film advance, and the embossed inscription “Use Film No. 120,” perfectly legible.

All its mechanisms work properly. The shutter fires at all speeds, the diaphragm moves smoothly, and the bellows open and close precisely. It has not been tested with film, but the mechanical assembly remains intact. The camera is accompanied by its original shutter release cable, in excellent condition, a rare detail that adds authenticity and historical value. No case or other accessories included.

The satin black finish and the embossed “Folding Hawk-Eye No. 2 Model B” on the side highlight its sober and professional character. It was the preferred model of traveling photographers who sought reliability without sacrificing style. Its compact silhouette, pure lines, and balanced proportions make this piece ideal both for display in a classic camera collection and as a decorative accent in an office or library.

A camera with soul and presence, a testimony to an era when photography was becoming democratized without losing the artisanal essence of the craft. Preserved in magnificent condition, it represents a safe investment and a true jewel of early twentieth-century photographic engineering.

Measurements: 16.5 × 8 cm (6.5 × 3.15 in).

History of the Kodak Folding Hawk-Eye No. 2 Model B

The Folding Hawk-Eye No. 2 Model B was introduced by Eastman Kodak Company at the beginning of the 1930s as an evolution of the earlier Hawk-Eye cameras. Designed for 120 film, it produced 6 × 9 cm negatives, offering an excellent combination of portability and image quality. This line was aimed at the advanced amateur photographer seeking sharp results with elegant and robust equipment.

The Model B shutter, with T, B, 25, and 50 speeds, and the Kodak Anastigmat or Taylor f/6.3 lenses, provided notable versatility in a compact folding body. These cameras were characterized by their metal structure covered in leather, their durable mechanisms, and the classic viewfinder with red window for controlling film advance.

The series remained in production until 1934, when Kodak shifted its manufacturing toward smaller formats and more affordable cameras. However, the No. 2 Folding Hawk-Eye Model B remained a reference for reliability and design. Today it is a coveted piece for its balance between technical history and aesthetic beauty, especially when it retains original elements such as the release cable, as in this example.

This camera embodies the transition between artisanal photography and precise industrial production, serving as a tangible testament to Kodak’s innovative spirit during the first half of the twentieth century. We are professional antique dealers. To see more photos of this item, Please click on this link:

https://www.antiguedades.es/en/antique-cameras/5352-antique-camera-kodak-folding-hawk-eye-no-2-model-b-black-usa-1930-1934.html