Case for Kodak 2D View Camera?

[Nodda Duma]

Hey folks,

I'm assuming the Kodak 2D cameras were shipped as a kit. I'm wondering what a full kit would have looked like, including the case. I'm particularly interested in the 8x10 variant. Anybody know?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[Ian Grant]

Cases were fairly similar, my UK made Kodak Specialist 2's case is not much different to the one that housesnmy Agfa Ansco,Commercial View both are original. One section houses the folded camera, another the extension rail and sliding tripod block, a third for the DDS (film holders). A dark-cloth can be used to stop things bouncing around. The case for my Specialist 2 has a leather strap bit in the lid to hold the optional Dallmeyer WA lens in its recesses lens board.

Ian

 

[mark]

I saw an add on ebay once that claimed to be an original and complete kodak 2d kit. The camera, extention rail, and two holders that fit perfectly in a fitted case. There was a wooden tripod as well. I've not seen an advertisement that shows the full outfit.

 

[Ian Grant]

Try here. My Kodak Specialist 2 is essentially a later derivation of the 7x5 2D although technically a Half plate camera as we dibn't have 7x5 plates or films here in the UK until very recently, but the DDS are interchangeable as the camera has an International back. There's an image of a case etc here.

Ian
http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1930ekcproflp554.htm

 

[tedr1]

Here's a picture of the loaded case for the KODAK view camera model B that I used to own. This was whole plate (6.5 x 8.5in) so fairly close to 8x10, and the model B was a folding wood design probably very close to the 2D and made by KODAK in Britain. I found this outfit for sale in a camera magazine in the early 1990s when I lived in Britain and I brought it with me to the USA when I emigrated. The loaded case was very heavy, you wouldn't want to go far with it. The camera construction was interesting, all the wood was finished black, all the metal parts were finished silver, perhaps to resemble aluminum, but they were in fact steel for superior strength. It came with dark slides and Ilford still made whole plate film and I learned large format photography with it using 5x7 lenses that just covered with no movements and a bit of corner darkening!

 

[Nodda Duma]

Here's a picture of the loaded case for the KODAK view camera model B that I used to own. This was whole plate (6.5 x 8.5in) so fairly close to 8x10, and the model B was a folding wood design probably very close to the 2D and made by KODAK in Britain. I found this outfit for sale in a camera magazine in the early 1990s when I lived in Britain and I brought it with me to the USA when I emigrated. The loaded case was very heavy, you wouldn't want to go far with it. The camera construction was interesting, all the wood was finished black, all the metal parts were finished silver, perhaps to resemble aluminum, but they were in fact steel for superior strength. It came with dark slides and Ilford still made whole plate film and I learned large format photography with it using 5x7 lenses that just covered with no movements and a bit of corner darkening!

Ok tedr that's interesting because I own a Whole Plate format Century No. 1 camera as well. I bought that camera because I scanned a bunch of 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" plates in my town's historical society collection. A young woman -- a teacher if I remember correctly -- took up photography as a hobby at the turn of the century and she used a whole plate camera. Anyways...Any chance you recall the dimensions of that case? Even ballpark?

 

[Ian Grant]

tedr1's Kodak View model B is virtually identical to my British made Kodak Specialist 2, the case is laid out the same way with the camera across the one end, and measures 16" x11" x12" high, and the case lid hinges on the long edge, lt's made of thick leather and lined internally with dark green felt.

The Model B was also made in the UK, tedr1's camera is a very late version, the model evolved over the years of production.. The Specialist 2 has the lens board and retaining sliders rotated 90° clockwise, a bail back, and a more substantial geared sliding tripod block, probably more importantly the baseboard has aluminium edges and accurately marked metric scales to calculate precise extension.

You do see these cases second hand occasionally at Camera Fairs etc, with larger than Half Plate/7x5 the camera sits with it's back to the long dimension.

Ian

 

[Ian Grant]

While my Lodak Specialist 2's case was made in the UK it'll be similar to the US case.

The camera which is most of the weight in the case sits in the middle.

The larger Agfa Ansco case for my 10x8 Commercial View is 22" x 10" x 15.5" high, again the camera sits in the middle.

A section either side for DDS and spare lens board & lens and rear slot for extension rail, sliding block.

The idea is the cameras can be lifted in and out by their carrying handles.

Ian

 

[Nodda Duma]

Awesome, Ian. Thanks!

-Jason

 

[Jim Jones]

My 2D from the early 1940s is in a light fiberboard case with no maker's label. The top section holds the legs of a Kodak No. 4 tripod. The lower left section holds the bed extension and up to 8 film holders. The center section holds the tripod top, lenses, and other accessories. The right section holds the camera with the sliding tripod block and one compact lens. The case measures 8x27x18 inches and weighs 43 pounds.

 

[Ian Grant]

Jim, that's quite like my Agfa Ansco's case, I had to do a bit of careful bending to get mine back into shape. My Kodak case was in far worse condition when I bought my camera two or three months ago, the stitching on the lid had disintegrated, I've re-stitched it.

Ian

 

[jimgalli]

See pages 16, 17 in this catalog. All I have found over the years are in the Fiber cases like Jim's.

 

[tedr1]

Nodda

regarding dimensions unfortunately I don't have any for the case, it was sold long ago, the best I can do is suggest using the darkslides as a scale, they probably are about 7in wide, perhaps this might be used to arrive at a size for the case by scaling in proportion?

 

[Nodda Duma]

Thanks fellas

 

[PCGraflex]

My 2D from the early 1940s is in a light fiberboard case with no maker's label. The top section holds the legs of a Kodak No. 4 tripod. The lower left section holds the bed extension and up to 8 film holders. The center section holds the tripod top, lenses, and other accessories. The right section holds the camera with the sliding tripod block and one compact lens. The case measures 8x27x18 inches and weighs 43 pounds.

This is what my case looks like. It was in the same basic shape as this one. I am keeping it to use as a pattern to make a new one.