Dating my Kodak 2D 8x10

Carson R Davis · Dec 23, 2018

Well, I solved one mystery.
http://imgur.com/gallery/IMUG3ms
The black pieces give you half frames by inserting into the back of the camera behind the glass. I assume the two holes are to give your fingers a grip.

shutterfinger · Dec 24, 2018

I had an 8x10 Kodak Commercial View Model B that had two black glass inserts so that 2 4x10, 2 5x8, or 4 4x5 images could be made on a single sheet of film. The sliders and the extension rail are commonly missing. The camera should be mounted on the tripod so that it tilts upward or downward, not sideways.

cowanw · Dec 24, 2018

The "squeeze mount " is a sliding mount which should slide onto the very bottom of the camera and screw in to a 1/4 inch bolt on a tripod, and by sliding the camera for and aft on the sliding mount, and tightening the knob, you can centre the weight distribution.

Roger Thoms · May 13, 2020

I’ve got an Eastman Kodak 2D 6 1/2”x8 1/2” Serial # 124958 and would be very grateful if I could get a date of manufacture.

Thanks,
Roger

shutterfinger · May 13, 2020

Near the end of an order for 150 cameras listed 2-8-1923. No other orders for this format were found for the next 10 years, I did not search further.

Roger Thoms · May 13, 2020

I appreciate it, Thanks!

Roger

Wlodzimierz54 · Jun 11, 2020

Hi @shutterfinger
I am in posesion of Kodak D2 - 8x10 - I was wondering if you can tell me in what year it was produced? The serial number is - 398011.
Thanks a lot!

shutterfinger · Jun 11, 2020

Its another one of those cameras that don't exists as its serial number is in a group of missing numbers from mid year 1946.

Wlodzimierz54 · Jun 12, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Its another one of those cameras that don't exists as its serial number is in a group of missing numbers from mid year 1946.

Thanks a lot! Best Regards.

kj_roper · Jul 27, 2020

I’ve just picked up an Eastman Kodak 2D 5x7 Serial # 237844 and would be very grateful if I could get a date of manufacture.
Tag reads:
Eastman View Camera
No. 2-D
Manufactured in USA For
EASTMAN KODAK CO.

The FOLMER GRAFLEX CORPORATION
Rochester, NY USA

Many Thanks,

Kyle

shutterfinger · Jul 28, 2020

14 from the end of an order for 200 listed 1/1939, next order 8/1939.

kj_roper · Jul 28, 2020

shutterfinger said:
14 from the end of an order for 200 listed 1/1939, next order 8/1939.

^ Shutterfinger, Thanks!

Russ Young · Dec 2, 2020

Seasonal Greetings, Shutterfinger.
I just acquired a 5x7 2D with the serial number 228606. Might you be able to assign a date thereto? Plate states it was made by Folmer Graflex Corp. for Kodak.
Its is in remarkable condition, great bellows, matching extension rail and the stiffener. Sure looking forward to many years of use & enjoyment.
Thanks in advance,
Russ

shutterfinger · Dec 2, 2020

About the middle of a listing for 200 5x7 Eastman View Camera posted 12/1/37. Next listing is 6/38. From other camera listings it appears Folmer Graflex made the cameras shortly after the listing was entered then shipped them out to the stores and made the next batch when the minimum from the dealers came in which depended on sales.

Roger Thoms · Dec 16, 2020

I’ve got a Folmer &Schwing 7x17 with serial number #102773, any chance of dating it? It is from the Eastman Kodak era.

Thanks,
Roger

shutterfinger · Dec 16, 2020

From an era when dates were not recorded. #3 of 50 7x17 Banquet Cameras, best educated guess in the book mid year 1920.

Roger Thoms · Dec 16, 2020

Cool, thanks for checking.

Roger

Kaleidoscope · Jan 12, 2021

Hi Shutterfinger, I have acquired an Eastman Kodak 2D 8x10 serial number 171089. I would love to find out a rough manufacture date if you have the info?

shutterfinger · Jan 12, 2021

About 2/3 into an order for 500 cameras listed 1-6-1930.

Kaleidoscope · Jan 13, 2021

Thanks Shutterfinger, very much appreciated. Cheers

Hazelbird · Jan 30, 2021

You guys, I am SO SO EXCITED to have received my first 8x10 Kodak 2-D today in the mail. I will be eventually be using it to shoot tintype portraits. I feel lucky to have scored this off of ebay and while it's not perfect, I think it's in pretty good condition overall. It's missing one front focusing knob and the lens is scratched, but the bellows almost looks brand new (?) slides super easy along the tracks and the ground glass is intact. What a beast!!
I've already learned so much about this camera just from reading your posts. I really appreciate the photrio community
two questions for ya:

1. Serial number is 128999 , can anyone estimate a year of manufacture for me?

2. This dude is dusty and I want to clean it up. For the wood, I saw that someone used Murphy's oil soap and it left it a bit dull. Would teak oil be best? what would work well to bring out some natural shine? This dark wood needs some help!

Please and thank you so much!

shutterfinger · Jan 30, 2021

Your #2D is the last one of a batch of 300 cameras listed late May 1923. I would start by saturating the entire camera except for the lens and ground glass with Pledge in the yellow can for furniture. Saturate and let stand for 15 to 30 minutes then rub in and wipe off with clean, lint free cloth or paper towels, repeat as needed. Lemon oil is good for dried out wood. Wipe on, let soak in, polish off the excess.

Neil Foley · Jan 7, 2024

Shutterfinger

Season’s greetings!

Taking a chance since this thread appears to successfully rejuvenate periodically despite long chronological gaps.

I just discovered Photrio and this forum in my quest to date my recently acquired Kodak 2D 8x10. It was ‘manufactured for’ EKC by Folmer Graflex and, given what I know about the corporate timelines, I believe that makes its earliest possible date 1926.

Having read the entirety of this thread, I think I’ve narrowed it to 1927-28 and would like to get that verified, if possible.

The SN is 156339

Side note: the six digits on mine are kind of spread out - 1 5 6——— 3 39. (no dashes, but I had to use them to demonstrate the gap; the software kept closing the gap up). The few photos that I’ve seen of others seemed to be much more compacted.

Thanks for any help.

Sirius Glass · Jan 7, 2024

Neil Foley said:
Shutterfinger

Season’s greetings!

Taking a chance since this thread appears to successfully rejuvenate periodically despite long chronological gaps.

I just discovered Photrio and this forum in my quest to date my recently acquired Kodak 2D 8x10. It was ‘manufactured for’ EKC by Folmer Graflex and, given what I know about the corporate timelines, I believe that makes its earliest possible date 1926.

Having read the entirety of this thread, I think I’ve narrowed it to 1927-28 and would like to get that verified, if possible.

The SN is 156339

Side note: the six digits on mine are kind of spread out - 1 5 6——— 3 39. (no dashes, but I had to use them to demonstrate the gap; the software kept closing the gap up). The few photos that I’ve seen of others seemed to be much more compacted.

Thanks for any help.

Welcome to Photrio!

I love to see old cameras being actively used today.

AnselMortensen · Jan 8, 2024

I don't believe Shutterfinger is active on Photrio anymore.
Perhaps someone else who has a copy of the Graflex information will come forward to help you.

Dating my Kodak 2D 8x10

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