[LargeFormat] Auto Graflex RB Model Identification
Clive Warren
largeformat@f32.net
Sat Sep 13 16:16:48 2003
At 11:42 am -0400 13/9/03, LNphoto wrote:
>On Saturday, September 13, 2003, at 04:54 AM, Clive Warren wrote:
>
>>>>Perhaps Les in tuned in and can answer this one as he is a
>>>>Graflex fan. There is a new addition to the cameras here - a 4x5
>>>>Auto Graflex RB. The latest patent date on a plate on the bottom
>>>>of the camera is 1913.
huge snip.
>
>It seems you do have a transitional camera...
>
>Here's a scan from "A review of Graflex" by r. Paine
>
>http://www.twmi.rr.com/lnphoto/rbtele.jpg
>
>On the facing page Paine writes:
>
>"An updated and renamed version of the Telescopic RB Auto Graflex,
>the Tele of 1915 also introduced a 3x4 camera. It's focusing rails
>were solid, whereas those of the 4x5 were still perforated. both
>cameras dropped the fur edging of the view hood. Its simplified,
>versatile and advanced design foretold the Series D of '28; in fact
>the same body was used."
>
>So the Tele has perf'ed rails, a chimney that comes to the edge of
>the camera, hinge on the back, a flip up door without wings, and a
>body that needs a long lens for the format (9 1/4" isn't a normal
>lens!)
>
>
>Paine doesn't show the Telescopic RB Auto Graflex, but does mention
>it again in the citation for the "Revolving Back Auto Graflex of
>1906-1908
>
>" this early issue of the Revolving Back Auto Graflex, which adhered
>closely to the design of the original Graflex, appears to have
>evolved into the 4x5 Tele RB Auto Graflex of 1912."
>
>Yours isn't the RB Auto graflex since yours has a patent date of
>1913 and this ended production in '08,
>
>but yours could be the non-illustrated RB Tele Auto which ran from 1912 to ???
>It's more probable that your camera is an early Tele RB Graflex.
>Somewhere in the archives of the Graflex helpboard I remember a
>discussion of these Tele RBs getting a speed table plate from an
>Auto on occasion.
>
>The 1913 Patent date is not as helpful as some think. It certainly
>limits how old it can be, but not how young.... Patent dates, at
>this time were good for 17 years, so that puts the camera in the
>1913 to 1930 era. After that they are SUPPOSE to remove the patent
>date. But that's expensive as new dies had to be made or old ones
>modified. Many times the Manufacturer simply pressed on.
>
>The low serial number puts in in very close to WWI. I would bet
>your protar it was "Made by the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman
>Kodak" While in 1918, it changed to ....Schwing DEPARTMENT of
>Eastman Kodak. Even then they used old Division plates until stock
>was exhausted.
>
>Les
Les,
Thank you very much indeed for the great detective work. There is no
fur edging on the top of the viewing hood.
I would have lost the Protar - it is indeed "Made by the Folmer &
Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak" which then puts it between 1913
and 1918. The lens is probably the one supplied with the camera. So
it is either a RB Tele Auto or a an early Tele RB Graflex.
I will get around to putting some photos up on the f32 Forum in a week or so.
My final question - is the back detent pin supposed to lock the back
in one of two positions; portrait/landscape?
I will be taking the RB Tele out tomorrow and hope to come back with
some useful shots.
BTW, the link you gave is broken. I would like to read the article.
Cheers,
Clive