Eastman Company
'B' Daylight Kodak Camera, 1891-1895
| This simple, black box camera is
actually a significant model in Kodak camera history. The Daylight Kodak
series of 1891 allowed the photographer to load and unload rollfilm
outside the darkroom - in daylight, as the name suggested.
The 'B' Daylight cost $15.00 when introduced, and made twenty-four 3.5 x 4 inch exposures on Eastman rollfilm. It was the middle camera in the Daylight Kodak series. The 'A' Daylight was smaller; the 'C' Daylight a little larger. As shown in the images below, the camera had a string-set shutter, and wheel-set apertures. The Daylight series was closely related to the Ordinary Kodak series, with the only differences being the leather exterior and daylight-loading capability. Both camera series were usually marketed together in period Eastman advertising. Despite its historical significance, the Daylight series overall did not sell well, in part due to the economic climate of the early-1890s. About 2,500 of each size were manufactured - this example bears serial number 2131. |
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 Front door removed showing lens and shutter assembly - label affixed below shutter reminder the user to buy supplies for 'B' Daylight Kodak. |
 Lensboard information is identical to that of the Ordinary series |
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 Basic film transport system - the exposure was made when the film had left one velvet-lined cartridge and was on the top of the "T." It was then wound into another cartridge on the other side. |
