Dating my Kodak 2D 8x10

[JBrunner]

No, I'm not talking about an alternative lifestyle.

I'm curious if there is a way to date the manufacture of my 2D from the serial number or otherwise. I've searched the internut to no avail, learning only that they were made from 1929 to around 1950.

 

[uraniumnitrate]

Try Kodak maybe they have some ideas! Otherwise the Chicago Photographic Society could help. Also they have a lot's of cameres on and the year of the make!

Dead Link Removed

I wrote a letter to them!

 

[Richard Kelham]

I'm curious if there is a way to date the manufacture of my 2D from the serial number or otherwise. I've searched the internut to no avail, learning only that they were made from 1929 to around 1950.

Yes I'm another 2D owner who'd like to know how old his camera is – sheer morbid curiosity! Mine has a serial number inthe 200s so I would presume a fairly early one, but not knowing the total production of these cameras, I can't be sure. Did Kodak Use a seperate numbering system for the various different formats?

I can't find any answers online.

 

[Harrigan]

You might try the George Eastman House instead of Kodak. GEH has a very good collection of cameras and knowledgable staff.

 

[MarkS]

The Kodak patent museum was donated to the GEH some years ago. I believe Todd Gustafsson there is the technology curator, he will be able to help if anyone can.

 

[jovo]

Here's an interesting place to look. It has an illustrated article on the 2d (the "d", it states, stands for 'dark finish'), but, alas no specifics on how to date a particular camera. Still...it's a really nice site.

http://www.fiberq.com/cam/index.htm

 

[bart Nadeau]

Since the Kodak 2D was manufactured by the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak until 1926 when that division was spun off as the Folmer Graphic Corp and then, after the 1945 reorganization, by Graflex Inc, I believe the 2-D's serial number is a Graflex s/n. Certainly it works for the two I have. The older, marked as built by Folmer Graflex for EKC, is s/n 333745, the newer of the two is s/n 407056 with a built by Graflex Inc. for EKC. According to a list I have, 333745 would have been built by Folmer Graphic between 1941 and 1945; 407056 between 1946 - 1948.
The list of serial numbers I have is a xerox of page 14 from something by Richard Fowler but I don't remember what. The s/n are grouped in 2 to 5 year blocks from the start of production in 1887 until the end in 1973.
Over on the Graflex.org site they have a Q&A board where people help each other date their Graflex's. Someone with the screen name "Gandolf" apparently has the actual s/n list on a far more accurate basis than the gross one I have but he has not posted any responses for many months. Apparently blocks of numbers were assigned for the production of a given production run for a specific product.
bart

 

[Richard Kelham]

Since the Kodak 2D was manufactured by the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak until 1926 when that division was spun off as the Folmer Graphic Corp and then, after the 1945 reorganization, by Graflex Inc, I believe the 2-D's serial number is a Graflex s/n.

Mine has a plate stating that it was manufactured by Eastman Kodak, and as I stated earlier, it has a serial number in the 200s. I thought the design originated with Century?

 

[bart Nadeau]

Mine has a plate stating that it was manufactured by Eastman Kodak, and as I stated earlier, it has a serial number in the 200s. I thought the design originated with Century?

Well, the builders plate stating Eastman View Camera 2-D manf. for Eastman Kodak Co. by Folmer Graphic Corp, Rochester NY etc. should be on the front of the front standard, facing out, below the lens board.
There are 2 and 3 digit numbers stamped on the front of the extension rail on on the extension rail that enabled matching the loose parts to the camera or getting matching replacements, for example the newer one of mine is stamped 185 in several places.
The six digit serial number is stamped on the left side of the rear standard, facing up, as you face the ground glass. It is hard to see because the rear of the camera/ bellows frame is directly above it .
bart

 

[Richard Kelham]

Well, the builders plate stating Eastman View Camera 2-D manf. for Eastman Kodak Co. by Folmer Graphic Corp, Rochester NY etc. should be on the front of the front standard, facing out, below the lens board.
There are 2 and 3 digit numbers stamped on the front of the extension rail on on the extension rail that enabled matching the loose parts to the camera or getting matching replacements, for example the newer one of mine is stamped 185 in several places.
The six digit serial number is stamped on the left side of the rear standard, facing up, as you face the ground glass. It is hard to see because the rear of the camera/ bellows frame is directly above it .
bart

Not kidding it's hard to see! Still I found it – 144860 – but the plate on the front definitely says "made by Eastman Kodak Co, Rochester NY". Thanks for the help.


Richard

 

[Dave Parker]

Mine says made "by" and not made "for" also on the front plate below the lens board.

Dave

 

[bart Nadeau]

Not kidding it's hard to see! Still I found it – 144860 – but the plate on the front definitely says "made by Eastman Kodak Co, Rochester NY". Thanks for the help.


Richard

According to the list I have, 144860 would have been built in 1924-1925 and indeed then it was built by Eastman Kodak - by the Folmer & Schwing Dept of EK.
I expect that after 1906, when EK bought Folmer & Schwing and moved it from NYC to Rochester, Eastman's surviving large format manufacturing was consolidated in the F&S Department. With that capability there, after 1926 with the forced spin off of the F&S Dept into Folmer Graflex Corp, EK subcontracted with FG for their large format needs.
In addition to the cameras note that other large format items like 8x10 film holders are stamped made by Fomer Graflex for Eastman Kodak.

bart

 

[Richard Kelham]

According to the list I have, 144860 would have been built in 1924-1925 and indeed then it was built by Eastman Kodak - by the Folmer & Schwing Dept of EK.
I expect that after 1906, when EK bought Folmer & Schwing and moved it from NYC to Rochester, Eastman's surviving large format manufacturing was consolidated in the F&S Department. With that capability there, after 1926 with the forced spin off of the F&S Dept into Folmer Graflex Corp, EK subcontracted with FG for their large format needs.
In addition to the cameras note that other large format items like 8x10 film holders are stamped made by Fomer Graflex for Eastman Kodak.

HI Bart

Many thanks for that – just the info I wanted.

Your theory about the hiving off of F&S seems eminently plausible, and would explain the change in the makers' plate. So we can assume any 2D with a plate stating "made by EK" would be pre-1926.

Richard

 

[bart Nadeau]

HI Bart

Many thanks for that – just the info I wanted.

Your theory about the hiving off of F&S seems eminently plausible, and would explain the change in the makers' plate. So we can assume any 2D with a plate stating "made by EK" would be pre-1926.

Richard

Richard-
I'd go by the serial number. The court ordered spin off occured in mid 1926. According to the list I have, serial numbers below 150,000 are F&S Division EK; those above are Folmer Graflex Corp.

Bart

 

[jolefler]

Incidental beneficiary!

I have 135865 with 22 stamped in various locations. I have a second body, but during the repaint process (why on earth white paint?), they obscured the serial#. 135xxx says "by EK", the other says "for EK by FG". Thanks for the info

 

[bart Nadeau]

Humm, that's interesting. According to the list I have the 135000 series would fall between 1923-1924 but those 5000 numbers aren't specifically accounted for.
When I finish the time machine I'll go back and find out for you.
bart

 

[jolefler]

Got room for a passenger? Simpler times have their appeal.

 

[BradS]

I'm reviving this three year old thread instead of starting a new one on the same subject...


I've liberated a very well used 8x10 Kodak 2-D from long neglect. The little identifying plate on the front reads.....

Kodak View Camera
No. 2-D
Manufactured in USA for
Eastman Kodak Co.
by
GRAFLEX INC.
Rochester 8, New York USA​

the serial number is: 452499

I'm guessing that this dates it to sometime between 1946 and 1955 but would like to pin it down a little bit...can anybody narrow down the date of manufacture?

 

[Fotoguy20d]

From my copy of the Graflex list:

4474xx – pacemaker speed – 1947
452903 – 4x5 pacemaker -- 1947
453426 – 4x5 pacemaker speed – 1947

 

[mark]

8x10 2d is a different beast than the pacemakers.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

8x10 2d is a different beast than the pacemakers.

Yes, but this 2D was built by Graflex so will follow their serial numbering. A guess would be that there was a small block of numbers somewhere in that gap that was assigned for 2Ds.

Dan

 

[sepiareverb]

Wow! Thanks for that link jovo. I've got the 11x14 camera and hadn't been able to find any info on it- and had given up trying.

 

[Mark Sawyer]

My old 2D was my first 8x10, bought back in '78, I think. Its serial number is 160268, and its nameplate inducates it was "made by Folmer Graflex for Eastman Kodak". Does anyone have an indication of the date?

BTW, I have several other 8x10's, but the 2D was my first, and is still my favorite for working around the house.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

Here's what I have:

154561 – RB Series B – 1926
157258 – 5x7 2D --
160990 – 3x4 RB Auto – 1928
161429 – Series D -- 1927
162053 – Series B – 1928

 

[msage]

I have a Century Studio that was painted white also. I was told that as these old cameras were retired, they sometimes became "props" for that period of "high key" portraits in the 1980's. Hence they were painted white.
Michael

I have 135865 with 22 stamped in various locations. I have a second body, but during the repaint process (why on earth white paint?), they obscured the serial#. 135xxx says "by EK", the other says "for EK by FG". Thanks for the info