This is the first model of the Frena, made for only one or two years. The changing mechanism for the Frena film is similar to the later models except that the exposed films are stored in the bottom of the camera rather than the back.

The Frena takes films interleaved with cards, as light shields. The films have notches along two sides. When a film has been exposed pins in front of the film are slid to coincide with the notches and so release the film. The next film has notches in the alternate position and so is held in place by the pins. Depending on the model the exposed film is stored in the base (Original model) or back of the camera.

The patents were taken out by J. T. Clarke or Clarke and C. Beck. Joseph Thacher Clarke (b. 1856 d. 1920) was employed by George Eastman in 1886 (prior to these patents).