In 1898, the Folmer and Schwing Manufacturing Company introduced the Graflex single-lens reflex camera, the first true consumer SLR, characterized by its large, bulky box design. In 1905, Kodak acquired Folmer and Schwing, taking ownership of the popular Graflex camera line. Two years later, in 1907, Kodak launched the Graflex 3A Autographic, a more compact SLR that utilized Kodak’s 122 Autographic film in a 3¼ × 5½ in. format.
The Graflex 3A Autographic marked a significant shift towards handheld roll-film cameras, paving the way for the dominance of 35mm film and early digital models in the decades that followed. This camera featured a focal-plane shutter that supported fast shutter speeds, interchangeable lenses, and through-the-lens focusing using a ‘smokestack’ viewer that allowed photographers to peer down a collapsible leather cone to block out light and improve visibility. The Autographic feature enabled users to write directly on the film with a stylus, making it easier to label and organize their photographs.
The Graflex 3A gained great popularity among professional photographers and dedicated enthusiasts alike, with a production run that lasted from 1907 to 1926. 
As manufacturing techniques and film technology progressed, more compact and automated cameras gradually emerged. Although the Graflex 3A and its significance in photography are not widely remembered today, it remains a sought-after collectible among vintage camera lovers and serves as an important piece of photographic history, showcasing the technological advancements of its time.
Graflex 3A Autographic
Manufacturer: Folmer and Schwing Division of Kodak
Production: 1907 – 1926
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Media: Kodak 122 Autographic Roll Film
Lens: Variable
Focus: Through-The_Lens
Accessories: Normal filters and other standard camera Accessories
Collectability:
On a scale from 1 to 100, the Graflex 3A Autographic scores a high 85 in terms of collectibility. Graflex cameras, including the 3A, have left a lasting impact on the design of modern cameras, particularly in the areas of user configurability and features tailored for professional photographers. Many collectors prize early Graflex cameras and their place in history.
Photographer: John Baltz
John is a seasoned professional with nearly 30 years in photography. A native to Northwest Arkansas, John’s first interest in photography began with collecting cameras as a child from antique markets around town. Later, John received a degree in Computer Science from the University of Arkansas. It is his strong knowledge in digital photography, along with a love for the the history of photography that provides for a unique sense of creativity driving many of his projects.
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