Antique Kodak Rainbow Hawk-Eye No. 2A Model B Black Camera, USA, 1930-1933

Antique Kodak Rainbow Hawk-Eye No. 2A Model B Black Camera, USA, 1930-1933

Magnificent Kodak Rainbow Hawk-Eye No. 2A Model B camera, produced by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, between 1930 and 1933. This piece belongs to one of the most elegant and representative series of the transition period between amateur photography and travel photography at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Rainbow Hawk-Eye range was offered in different colors, and although the black version, like the one presented here, was the most sober, it now stands out for its timeless appeal and its excellent balance between aesthetics and functionality.

Built in metal with black leather bellows, it retains a solid and perfectly preserved folding structure. Equipped with a Kodak Rainbow Hawk-Eye shutter with T and B speeds, 25 and 100, and a Kodak Anastigmat f/6.3 128 mm lens, this camera captured sharp images on 116 format film, producing 6.5 × 11 cm negatives ideal for landscapes or portraits. Its compact design, only 20.5 cm high and 9 cm deep when unfolded, and the textured casing made it the perfect companion for amateur photographers and elegant travelers during the 1930s.

This example preserves all its original components, with no repairs or replacements. The bellows are in excellent condition, with no cracks or light leaks, and the shutter mechanism works correctly in all positions, though it has not been tested with film. The metal parts have a uniform shine and the viewfinder retains its alignment. It is a complete camera, without case or manual, but with a natural patina showing careful use and the passage of a century of history.

The rear window with red glass, characteristic of the model, allowed control of the 116 film advance, a functional and distinctive detail of cameras of that era. Its elegant black finish, less sought after at the time, has gained great appeal today for its discreet rarity and sober beauty.

It is a piece that combines history, design, and technique in balanced proportions, perfect to stand out in a display cabinet, on a studio shelf, or as a decorative accent in any vintage setting. Its excellent preservation and complete mechanics also make it a solid and valuable collector’s choice.

A camera with soul and character, a faithful witness to an era when photography was becoming truly portable. Ideal for those who appreciate objects with history and the artisanal quality of Kodak.

Measurements: 20.5 cm × 9 cm (8 × 3.54 in).

History of the Kodak Rainbow Hawk-Eye No. 2A

The Rainbow Hawk-Eye series was introduced by Eastman Kodak Company at the beginning of the 1930s as an evolution of the popular Hawk-Eye Folding cameras. They were produced in a wide range of outer covering colors: blue, red, green, brown, ivory, and black. Manufactured mainly in Rochester, New York, these cameras were designed for amateur users seeking professional-quality results in a manageable format.

The No. 2A Folding Model B used 116 film, producing 6.5 × 11 cm negatives. Its folding design allowed the metal body to act both as a protective case and as an exposure support, a technical advance for its time. It incorporated the Rainbow Hawk-Eye shutter with variable speeds and front lever release, and a range of lenses from simple meniscus types to more advanced Kodak Anastigmat f/6.3.

Although most Rainbow cameras were offered in bright colors, the black finish, like this example, was a sober option for those who preferred classic elegance over the colorful fashions of the time.

Between 1930 and 1933 the Rainbow Hawk-Eye series represented the end of an era in Kodak’s history, the last generation of folding cameras before the massive arrival of 35 mm models. Their mechanical durability and formal beauty have made them cult objects among collectors and lovers of historical photography.