Kodak Filmplate Premo Special

The Kodak Filmplate Premo Special, produced between 1912 and 1916, represents an important, though often overlooked, pioneering effort in miniature photography. Introduced during a period when Kodak was actively experimenting with smaller formats beyond its standard roll films, this camera utilized 35mm film but in an unconventional manner. Instead of loading a roll of flexible film, the Premo Special employed individual film plates, likely thin glass plates coated with a gelatin emulsion similar to motion picture film, which were inserted into a special holder within the camera body. This plate-based system was a transitional technology, bridging the gap between large plate cameras and the eventual roll-film 35mm cameras that would become popular later. Its design was relatively compact for its era, reflecting Kodak's push towards more portable photography options.

Utilizing the 135 format designation decades before it became standard, the Filmplate Premo Special was primarily aimed at amateur photographers seeking a smaller, more convenient alternative to bulky plate cameras. Key features included a simple, often leather-covered body with a folding bed or rigid design common for the period, and a rotary shutter offering basic speeds. Focusing was achieved via a front-element movement on a simple lens system. While its innovative use of the 135 format for plates was significant, the camera was hampered by the practical limitations of handling fragile glass plates individually – loading and processing were cumbersome compared to roll film. Its historical importance lies in its status as an early Kodak entrant into the 35mm space, demonstrating the company's exploration of miniature formats and contributing to the evolutionary path that led to more successful 35mm cameras like the Leica in the late 1920s.