I found an error in Coe's and in McKeown's, 2 main reference books!!!

**ismaelg** · 03-30-2022, 09:16 PM - **2 Likes**

Hello,

Not sure how I feel about this. I may not be the first one to find this or maybe it may not really be a big deal.
Brian Coe's book Kodak Cameras, the first hundred years is considered the bible on Kodak cameras. Probably the highest authority in research. The book itself is hard to find as it is long out of print and coveted by collectors all over the world.

McKeown's book is also highly regarded.

Both books are very frequently referenced in online web pages.

Yet in my own personal research, I have stumble upon what I think is an ERROR on both books, which seem to have similar references.

The Kodak Pony 135 Model B has the same lens as the original model A. The Anaston 51mm f4.5. The Model C changed to an Anaston 44mm f3.5
According to the both books, the Model B had a 44mm f4.5 lens

Why is this an error?
1. My Pony 135 Model B has a 51mm f4.5 lens, identical lens/shutter to my Model A and 828.
2. I have never seen an Anaston (or Kodak Anastigmat as they were originally called) 44mm f4.5 As far as I know, the only Anaston 44mm was the f3.5 used in the Pony 135 Model C. Anastar 44mm (4 elements instead of Anaston's 3) were used in Pony II and IV but were f3.9 and f3.5 respectively.
3. I went to eBay and opened literally hundreds of auctions of Ponys over a week's period. ALL Pony 135 Model B were 51mm f4.5, as were all 828 and 135 model A. All Model C were 44mm f3.5.

I rest my case. I found an error in two of the most respected reference books. So what? As I said, I may not be the first one to find this or maybe it may not really be a big deal in the grand scheme of things but it is to me.

Thanks,

**lmd91343** · 03-30-2022, 10:53 PM - **1 Like**

Are you sure your camera is as original, unaltered, unrepaired. It could also be a transitional model.

**UncleVanya** · 03-31-2022, 04:51 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lmd91343

Are you sure your camera is as original, unaltered, unrepaired. It could also be a transitional model.

Given the fact that he looked on eBay at hundreds of auctions and found all were like his and none were like the reference books it is clear that something is amiss in the data. If any of that model follow the reference books then they are the exception I suspect.

**lmd91343** · 03-31-2022, 06:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Given the fact that he looked on eBay at hundreds of auctions and found all were like his and none were like the reference books it is clear that something is amiss in the data. If any of that model follow the reference books then they are the exception I suspect.

It looks like I misread the post. Oops!

Good catch by both of you.

**TwoUptons** · 03-31-2022, 04:10 PM - **1 Like**

My Pony 135 has the 51mm with the back ring like McKeown's... another data point to support your position...

-Eric

**Sam_I_am** · 03-31-2022, 10:07 PM

Nice catch. Sure sounds like a great reason to have another printing. 😃

03-30-2022, 09:16 PM - 2 Likes	#1
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,608	I found an error in Coe's and in McKeown's, 2 main reference books!!! Hello, Not sure how I feel about this. I may not be the first one to find this or maybe it may not really be a big deal. Brian Coe's book *Kodak Cameras, the first hundred years* is considered the bible on Kodak cameras. Probably the highest authority in research. The book itself is hard to find as it is long out of print and coveted by collectors all over the world. McKeown's book is also highly regarded. Both books are very frequently referenced in online web pages. Yet in my own personal research, I have stumble upon what I think is an ERROR on both books, which seem to have similar references. The Kodak Pony 135 Model B has the same lens as the original model A. The Anaston 51mm f4.5. The Model C changed to an Anaston 44mm f3.5 According to the both books, the Model B had a 44mm f4.5 lens Why is this an error? 1. My Pony 135 Model B has a 51mm f4.5 lens, identical lens/shutter to my Model A and 828. 2. I have never seen an Anaston (or Kodak Anastigmat as they were originally called) 44mm f4.5 As far as I know, the only Anaston 44mm was the f3.5 used in the Pony 135 Model C. Anastar 44mm (4 elements instead of Anaston's 3) were used in Pony II and IV but were f3.9 and f3.5 respectively. 3. I went to eBay and opened literally hundreds of auctions of Ponys over a week's period. ALL Pony 135 Model B were 51mm f4.5, as were all 828 and 135 model A. All Model C were 44mm f3.5. I rest my case. I found an error in two of the most respected reference books. So what? As I said, I may not be the first one to find this or maybe it may not really be a big deal in the grand scheme of things but it is to me. Thanks,

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03-30-2022, 10:53 PM - 1 Like	#2
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,018	Are you sure your camera is as original, unaltered, unrepaired. It could also be a transitional model.

03-31-2022, 04:51 AM - 1 Like	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,780	Originally posted by lmd91343 Are you sure your camera is as original, unaltered, unrepaired. It could also be a transitional model. Given the fact that he looked on eBay at hundreds of auctions and found all were like his and none were like the reference books it is clear that something is amiss in the data. If any of that model follow the reference books then they are the exception I suspect.

03-31-2022, 06:20 AM - 1 Like	#4
lmd91343 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,018	Originally posted by UncleVanya Given the fact that he looked on eBay at hundreds of auctions and found all were like his and none were like the reference books it is clear that something is amiss in the data. If any of that model follow the reference books then they are the exception I suspect. It looks like I misread the post. Oops! Good catch by both of you.

03-31-2022, 04:10 PM - 1 Like	#5
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	My Pony 135 has the 51mm with the back ring like McKeown's... another data point to support your position... -Eric

03-31-2022, 10:07 PM	#6
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 785	Nice catch. Sure sounds like a great reason to have another printing. 😃

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