[LargeFormat] Auto Graflex RB Model Identification

[Clive Warren]

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