Dear Keeper of the Serial Numbers,

Here are some of my camera and lens serial numbers I would like the dates on:

Pacemaker Speed 911463
135mm Optar G22242

Super Speed 648819
135mm Rod Optar 4693053
270mm Tele Optar 4692502
270mm Tele Optar 4692584

Super D Graflex 416532

Graflex 1A 47402
B & L Tessar 2646488

That's it for now...Graflex View II, Mini Speed and 3A to follow.... Thanks!

JP Mose

Pacemaker Speed 911463
135mm Optar G22242
1956

Super Speed 648819
135mm Rod Optar 4693053
270mm Tele Optar 4692502
270mm Tele Optar 4692584
1960

Super D Graflex 416532
1947

Graflex 1A 47402
B & L Tessar 2646488
about 1915

That's it for now...Graflex View II, Mini Speed and 3A to follow.... Thanks!

JP Mose

Thanks! My 4 X 5 Super D is interesting in that it doesn't have the Super D badge above the lens door (no signs that it ever it). The pre war 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 Super D's didn't either. Now finding out that it is from 1947, it has to be a very early 4 X 5 Super D. No field lens either, but auto dia. Ektar, flash sync. and proper badge for shutter speeds. It is so orignal and mint- condition that I don't have the heart to add Graflok back and field lens, which some may think is crazy! Take care.

JP Mose

You can thank a frustrated child photographer for the auto diaphragm on your Super D and almost any other camera. He was upset at how many shots he lost while fiddling with the aperture on his RB that he came up with and eventually patented, the semi-auto and then the auto diaphragm.

If you have a Graphic Graflex Photography book editions 1-9, you'll see him and his work. His name is Torkel Korling. He died about two years ago at age 93. I missed talking with him by about six months.

Les,

Yes I have read that chapter many times over the years. This frustration also happens when trying to photograph animals!

Graphic Graflex Photography...what a great book indeed! I have collected most additions. There was a used book store in Hollywood, CA that had them for $10/ea. in Exc. condition. This was back in 1980. I bought 6 -7 editions as I recall. Now going for 3 to 4 times that price! I bought my Super Speed Graphic in Mint - condition for $225 in 1974. The salesman (NY camera store) told me I shouldn't waste my money as this camera would be worth nothing in a few years. Nonsense!! Look at it's sales price now!

JP

yeah and look at where that salesman is now! I did the same thing with my crown special, near mint with a graflite and 5 holders for $175 in '89. I recently saw the same set up in near mint for $500. I thought, "Man if Ihad only kept mine in that condition..." then I realized that by NOT keeping mine in that condition, by using it in hazardous situations, I saved my $2000 Hassy from a horrible death and made about 10 grand over the years with it.

Here are the rest of my Graflex cameras that require a date, except for my 3A which I can't find:

Speed Graphic "Top Handle" - 111170

Super Speed Graphic - S 646687

Mini Speed Graphic - 370236

Graflex View II - 485150

Thanks...JP

Speed Graphic "Top Handle" - 111170
3.5 x5.5 speed about 1918-1920 might have a raised shutter plate, may or may not say Division.

Super Speed Graphic - S 646687
1959-60

Mini Speed Graphic - 370236
1945

Graflex View II - 485150
61-62

Thanks...JP


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Gandolf on 2002-03-18 11:48 ]</font>

I recently acquired a Century Graphic and I’d like to see if its age can be deciphered. I’ve seen guides on how to do this but I’m not sure they apply to the Century.

The camera Serial No. is 508923

The lens is an Ektar 101mm f:4.5 and its
Serial No. is ES11120, followed by an “L” in a circle.

As for the lens, one of the guides on this site, if followed, would indicate that the lens was manufactured in 1947. I thought the Century Graphic wasn’t brought out until 1949. Of course, I suppose the lens could have been produced two years before the camera but just thought I’d check with you experts before I assume what might be the wrong information.

Thanks,

Bob

Quote:

On 2002-03-26 21:22, foxfire wrote: I recently acquired a Century Graphic and I?d like to see if its age can be deciphered. I?ve seen guides on how to do this but I?m not sure they apply to the Century. The camera Serial No. is 508923 The lens is an Ektar 101mm f:4.5 and its Serial No. is ES11120, followed by an ?L? in a circle. As for the lens, one of the guides on this site, if followed, would indicate that the lens was manufactured in 1947. I thought the Century Graphic wasn?t brought out until 1949. Of course, I suppose the lens could have been produced two years before the camera but just thought I?d check with you experts before I assume what might be the wrong information. Thanks, Bob

Kodak's date coding scheme is hidden somewhere on this site.

The code is:

C A M E R O S I T Y
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Your lens' serial number is ES for 47. The circle L symbol stands for "Lumenized," Kodak speak for hard coated. Its a very fine lens.

Can't help with the camera body, but I'm sure the one who knows will eventually tell you.

Cheers,

Dan

Thanks Dan.

Yes, that's where I got the 1947 year from. So, if the lens was made in 1947 and the camera wasn't introduced until 1949 (another table on this site) I guess I can assume this lens is not the one the camera left the factory with.

Do you guys think this is the case?

Bob

The camera was made in late 49 to '50. It would seem odd for Graflex to discover a two year old lens on the shelf, but stranger things have been documented. There's a cirkut camera on ebay right now with a serial number from '24, but has a "
Division" name plate that should have ended in 1918.

Yet another date needed for a Graphic 35....serial number 1103260. Thanks. JP