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		| jpmose 
 
 
 Joined: 29 May 2001
 Posts: 164
 Location: Atlanta, GA
 
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				|  Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2002 2:53 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
 
 
 _________________
 Best regards,
 
 JP Mose
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		| Gandolf 
 
 
 Joined: 26 Dec 2001
 Posts: 328
 Location: middle earth
 
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				|  Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2002 5:12 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
 
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		| jpmose 
 
 
 Joined: 29 May 2001
 Posts: 164
 Location: Atlanta, GA
 
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				|  Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2002 5:39 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
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		| Les 
 
 
 Joined: 09 May 2001
 Posts: 2682
 Location: Detroit, MI
 
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				|  Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2002 12:36 am    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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.
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		| jpmose 
 
 
 Joined: 29 May 2001
 Posts: 164
 Location: Atlanta, GA
 
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				|  Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2002 2:57 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
 
 
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		| Les 
 
 
 Joined: 09 May 2001
 Posts: 2682
 Location: Detroit, MI
 
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				|  Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2002 3:30 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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.  |  | 
	
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		| jpmose 
 
 
 Joined: 29 May 2001
 Posts: 164
 Location: Atlanta, GA
 
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				|  Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 2:01 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
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		| Gandolf 
 
 
 Joined: 26 Dec 2001
 Posts: 328
 Location: middle earth
 
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				|  Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2002 7:45 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
 
 
 [ This Message was edited by: Gandolf on 2002-03-18 11:48 ]
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		| foxfire 
 
 
 Joined: 14 Mar 2002
 Posts: 6
 Location: Midwest USA
 
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				|  Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 5:22 am    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
 
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		| Dan Fromm 
 
 
 Joined: 14 May 2001
 Posts: 2159
 Location: New Jersey
 
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				|  Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 8:40 am    Post subject: |   |  
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				| Kodak's date coding scheme is hidden somewhere on this site. 	  | 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
 
 
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 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
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		| foxfire 
 
 
 Joined: 14 Mar 2002
 Posts: 6
 Location: Midwest USA
 
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				|  Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 2:02 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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
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		| Gandolf 
 
 
 Joined: 26 Dec 2001
 Posts: 328
 Location: middle earth
 
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				|  Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 9:26 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| 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.
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		| jpmose 
 
 
 Joined: 29 May 2001
 Posts: 164
 Location: Atlanta, GA
 
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				|  Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 10:00 pm    Post subject: |   |  
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				| Yet another date needed for a Graphic 35....serial number 1103260. Thanks.  JP |  | 
	
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