The Kershaw Penguin lens/shutter/aperture unit looks like it could be unscrewed from inside the bellows. Is it possible to replace these units with a modern lens/shutter and create a high quality 6x9 out of the old folder cameras?
I am not a collector of old cameras, so the only cameras I have are ones that I purchased to use. The oldest is an Exakta Varex IIa from 1960, which was built like a tank, but remarkably versatile.
This is the oldest one I currently own, though I am unsure who produced it. From my understanding it's from early 1900. Perhaps someone might recognize it?
I think my oldest is my Vest pocket kodak autographic, which predates the introduction of crackle paint finish in 1919. I'm not exactly sure of it's age but it won't be long before, as the autographic models were introduced in 1915.
My Kodak No2 folding autographic brownie is only slightly younger from the 1920's, while most of my other brownies seen to be models from the 1930's even where the design goes back to ~1900.
David, not sure if your post really is meant for me, but my oldest is a Folding Pocket Kodak 3A which doesn't seem to have a lens that just unscrews. No idea about the Kershaw as I don't have one.
You might find knowledgeable folk to ask on: photrio.com photo.net cameracollector.proboards.com (little current activity though)
or even the film section at dpreview.com
Adding a small digital point & shoot into an old folder wouldn't be an impossible DIY task, but I don't think I could do it well enough to do the project justice.