Hello, I am posting today to try and get some help identifying these cameras that were going to be tossed in the trash! I know, who would do such a thing. Anyway, it's been years since I was interested in cameras, and could use some help. I would like to know..................

I'd love to know what the Los Alamos lab camera has seen. :~)

1. Where are serial numbers located?

2. Are these regular models?

3. How to translate serial numbers into year of production?

4. What lens would have gone with the Alamos camera?

Here they are, Los Alamos first.







And the speed grafic

1. The Kodak Ektar 127mm f4.7 in a Wollensak Rapax shutter is a 1945 vintage.
http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/lenses.html#EktarLenses
2.Appears to be a Anniversary Speed Graphic, possibly a 4x5 format. Measure the Ground Glass, it will be close to the format in size.
3. Appears to be an Anniversary Speed Graphic in 3 1/4 x4 1/4 format.

http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/graphic-models.html

The serial number on the camera bodies is ink stamped on the bottom of the camera top. With the bellows fully retracted inside the body turn the camera upside down and look for a 6 digit number on the bottom side of the camera top. Be sure to use a flashlight.

The Los Alamos camera is serial number 314835, the speed is 246205. Thanks for the info.

246205 is a Miniature Speed Graphic (2 1/4 x 3 1/4) made around the end of 1939.
314835 is a Speed Graphic, 4x5, made around mid year 1942. This is an Anniversary Speed Graphic. If the Ektar is on a 4 inch square lens board then it will fit this camera.

I do not have any date info on the Kodak Anastigmat in Compur shutter.

Graflex allocated serial numbers in batches then built the cameras based on demand. An approximation of manufacture date is based when the batch was listed and the next batch of the same model and format size was listed.

Anniversary Speed Graphic operating instructions
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/Anniversary.pdf
the Miniature Speed will be very similar.

Film is available for both cameras and roll film holders are available for both and requires minor modification to use them.

Los Alamos.....isn't that where they did the nuke tests back in the 40's? Want to borrow one of my dosimeters before you use these?

All kidding aside, they might have been used to photograph some of those tests and it's a good thing you got to them before the trash man!