Request help identifying R.H. Phillips 8 x 10 camera

phone.ill · May 9, 2011

Hello all,

I've got in my possession an R.H. Phillips & Sons 8 x 10 Compact Series field camera. I'm planning to sell it but I cannot accurately identify the model, other than that it's not a Compact II.

Here's what I can describe about it:

Back may be flipped for portrait or landscape aspect
Serial # 220, plate on the top of the body, partially covered by leather handle
Manufactured c1993-94
Bellows extends to 21"

I attempted to contact Dick Phillips but, as others have noted, is disconnected. Signs indicate the business is closed.

Any assistance you can provide in identifying is welcome.
Philip O'Neill

ic-racer · May 9, 2011

Why are you selling it? These are pretty nice cameras, I thought most people that own these want to be buried with them when they die

phone.ill · May 10, 2011

I haven't used this camera in too long. It should belong to someone who will give it the use it deserves. I'm almost embarrassed how good condition it is in, considering how long ago I bought it.

I'll be uploading some pics later on today which might help aid identification. Thanks for your response!

jp80874 · May 10, 2011

Welcome to Apug Philip.

From your description I believe you have identified the camera correctly as a Compact Series Field Camera. If you will PM me your email address I can send you seven pictures of a Compact Series Field Camera taken from an earlier eBay auction. If your camera looks like that one it is probably that model.

To explain my interest, I have an 8x10 Advantage series, serial 145, from about 1993. The primary difference is longer bellow draw. I can use a 600mm lens with lots of room for focus. I also have a 7x17 Explorer Series with same bellow draw.

Dick Phillips is in his late 70s, has retired and moved to warmer climes in Texas. He still repairs the cameras he built when needed, but at a schedule that adjusts to he and his wife’s travel plans.

At age 71 I carry either camera in a baby jogger. When that gets to be too big a chore or as the price of film continues to rise, I will probably sell as you are doing. As to my burial plans, my wife is certain she wants to have me torched, so that does not seem to be proper conditions for camera storage.

John Phillip Powers of Powers and O’Grady
We may have some historic travel in common.

phone.ill · May 11, 2011

Thanks for your assistance, John! I'm attaching a link to photos I took - admittedly not great, as I have no studio and prefer very low-tech photography nowadays.

It sounds like the model you mention from the eBay auction is very similar. And thanks for all the background on Dick Phillips. I remember him being very courteous during the process of my purchase. I wish him well in retirement.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36661315@N00/sets/72157626572128395/

Bbrt · Jan 27, 2012

Hi

Hi is the camera still for sale?

DREW WILEY · Jan 27, 2012

Is it all black or is the bed blonde (clear epoxy finish right over the custom plywood)? If blonde
it is the original Compact. Wonderful camera. I bought the eighth one he ever made, and except for
a few minor replacements of screws etc, it has held up wonderfully. A treat to use. Another indicator
of the original compact is that the focus knob is on the side, rather than at the back.

DREW WILEY · Jan 27, 2012

Oh, you can use a 600 on the original Compact with a tophat board. I personally have no problem
with the Fuji 600C.

Sal Santamaura · Jan 28, 2012

DREW WILEY said:
Is it all black or is the bed blonde (clear epoxy finish right over the custom plywood)? If blonde it is the original Compact...Another indicator of the original compact is that the focus knob is on the side, rather than at the back.

Looking at the photos linked in post #5, it appears to be a Compact, not Compact II, even though it's all black.

When I purchased my first 4x5 from Dick, he agreed to spray all of it black, even the edges which, in that model, were usually left with their wood showing through a clear coat. Upon delivery, he requested that, should anyone notice and ask about the unique finish, I tell them it was a factory error. For some reason, it must have been problematic for him to accomplish, so he didn't want to make any more that way.

phone.ill · Nov 1, 2015

Finally got around to listing this item for sale on eBay

For any interested, this item is now (4 and a half years later!) for sale on eBay, along with accessories listed separately. My seller name there is "flipdrawmcgraw".

I decided to bundle the camera and the lens together, since the last successful sale on eBay did the same.

Thank you for your help in identifying the camera.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/R-H-Phillips-Sons-8-x-10-field-camera-/231737523370?

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 4, 2015

An idiot and his money always separates ! 2800 dollars ....

DREW WILEY · Nov 4, 2015

I've seen Phillips going for nearly triple that price. I won't say what I paid for mine, but since it is Serial number 9, Dick talked me into it as
as "an affordable entry level 8x10". And it was very affordable. The only thing he was wrong about was the "entry level" statement. That thing
has held up superbly, and I absolutely love the simplified operation and excellent stability.

Sean Mac · Nov 4, 2015

The design skills evident in all of Richard Phillips cameras have been very influential.

The camera for sale is one of a finite number. He has stopped making them. An original and genuine camera is collectable. Like a lot of other things the supply/demand balance will establish the price.

I'm seriously thinking about building myself one. The pictures from the auction have been very helpful. So thanks to the OP for that...!

The rack and pinion seems a very elegant and simple approach compared to the helical screw.

Sal Santamaura · Nov 7, 2015

phone.ill said:
...I decided to bundle the camera and the lens together, since the last successful sale on eBay did the same.
...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/R-H-Phillips-Sons-8-x-10-field-camera-/231737523370?

DREW WILEY said:
I've seen Phillips going for nearly triple that price...

Not this time. Closed with one bid at the opening price of $2,800.00. Somebody got a real bargain.

DREW WILEY · Nov 11, 2015

Lucky the. For what some have gone for, I could have literally picked up a basic used CNC system and enough supplies to make ten of these.
Got enough projects already. Besides, it seems that the one Phillips 8x10 I do have is going to last the rest of my life. I did a few basic modifications to the hardware long ago and showed these to Dick Phillips. But he sure started a trend in rethinking field camera: forget about
making a piece of furniture and concentrate on functionality.

Eileen Koolpe · May 22, 2018

I have a Phillips 8x10, excellent condition, not the Compact, serial no.119. Could someone suggest its value?

DREW WILEY · May 23, 2018

That's probably also an early Phillips. Is it blonde or black-painted wood? Value depends on condition and just how bad someone wants one of these. I actually prefer the original version to the black version, though I replaced and improved some of the hardware. But the second version seems to sell for more, being newer. You might try for 4K.

Eileen Koolpe · May 25, 2018

Thank you for your input. It is not the Compact. It is the painted black wood model. I also have several film holders and Reis tripod. I have an interested party already and will discuss it with him. Thank you!

pmalde · Aug 1, 2018

Hello all -this may be a bit of a tangent to the thread, and I apologize in advance : does anyone have any information on how to contact Dick Phillips, or anyone else who may have parts or be able to repair one of his 8x10 cameras? My frequently used and much loved camera had a fall last week and the lower bridge that connects the two rear standards broke. It is made of wood and should be easy to refabricate, but I would prefer to go directly to the maker for repair as a first step. Thanks!

shutterfinger · Aug 1, 2018

Do the pieces fit together properly?
Yes= https://www.homedepot.com/p/8-oz-Titebond-II-Premium-Wood-Glue-5003/202180087 + https://www.homedepot.com/p/ANVIL-2-in-Spring-Clamp-99691/302755764 or https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-4-in-Capacity-Square-Jawed-Ratcheting-Hand-Clamp-XCRG4/302468886 ; long wide rubber bands or similar. Ensure pieces are liberally coated with glue (one side only) and fit tightly when clamped, wipe off excess glue from the edges.

No: replace the part.

DREW WILEY · Aug 1, 2018

The "original maker" is long out of business. If you are uncomfortable re-gluing it yourself, go to any competent real cabinet shop.

Steve Goldstein · Aug 1, 2018

Richard Ritter in Vermont is a master at this kind of repair work.

DREW WILEY · Aug 1, 2018

Dick Phillips used penetrating marine epoxies, so ordinary wood glues like Titebond might not work. Urethane Gorilla Glue probably would IF it's fresh and done properly according to label instructions.

pmalde · Aug 2, 2018

Steve Goldstein said:
Richard Ritter in Vermont is a master at this kind of repair work.

Thanks all for these suggestions. Would prefer to have a new piece made and installed. Any contact info for Richard Ritter? Again, thanks everyone - this is a wonderful and helpful community!

pmalde · Aug 2, 2018

@Steve Goldstein thanks for the excellent recommendation. Found Richard’s info on the web and called him. Repair is being arranged. Phew.

Request help identifying R.H. Phillips 8 x 10 camera

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