Rochester Camera
Mfg. Co.
King Camera Variation 1
Photographic
Cameras, Rochester
Camera Mfg.
Co. (Rochester,
NY), June 1895. p. 5
5 x 7,
Serial No. 351
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Date Introduced:
1891-1895;
Years Manufactured: c.1891-c.1895
The King View Camera is an
English compact style, in that the back folds
towards the platform of the camera for storage. It was no doubt
suggested by the once extensive line of English
style cameras offered by the Rochester Optical Co.
that included the
Carleton,
Universal,
Monitor and
Kenwood.
This camera, however, was introduced by the Rochester Camera Mfg. Co., a
rival company to Rochester Optical Co., and a company
established in 1891 in direct competition to Rochester Optical by
ex-employees, including H.B. Carleton, the brother of the director of
Rochester Optical, W.F. Carlton. The Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. survived a
number of company name changes or re-organizations, eventually being re-unified
with Rochester Optical. All cameras made
by Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. have the unique property amongst U.S. view
cameras of having four springs on their spring backs that point in the
same direction. This model is no exception. Apparently this
was somewhat a bone of contention, since, when the Rochester Camera Co.
was formed from Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. in 1895, the springs begin to
face one another. In that the springs are cut from flat sheet
brass, they could be installed either way merely by turning two of them
over. There are two variations so
far in the King View Camera so far, apparently separating by manufacturer.
Their differences are in 1) the disposition of the four springs that
constitute the spring back, and 2) the presence of a piece of brass on
the sides of the platform that appears to provide a registration or set
point for closing the camera up.
Variation 1 (Rochester Camera Mfg. Co.):
This variation, like all view cameras made by the Rochester Camera Mfg.
Co. has its four springs of its spring back all facing the same
direction. It does not have the brass pieces on the sides of the
platform.
Variation 2 (Rochester Camera Co., Rochester
Camera & Supply Co., Rochester Optical & Camera Co.):
This variation has two of the four springs in its spring back facing the
other two. It does have the brass pieces on the sides of the
platform. References:
Back to Rochester Optical Group of Manufacturers
Construction: front focus
via rack and pinion (gears internal to base); single swing;
three-piece lens board; reversing by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; mahogany bed; red
leather bellows; brass hardware;
Sizes Offered: 5x7; 5x8; 6 ½-8 ½; 8x10;
11x14
Notes:
Photographic Cameras, Rochester
Camera Mfg. Co. (Rochester,
NY), June 1895. pp.
4-5
