Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY
New Model Improved
Variation 2
(Thick Frame)
Rochester Optical Catalog, 1895, p.
15
4 x 5 4 x 5 Date Introduced: -
; Years Manufactured: c.1890-c.1899 New Model Improved vs. New
Model: There are at least three
variations known of the New Model Improved:
New Model Improved Variation 1:
New Model Improved Variation 1.5:
New Model Improved Variation 2: References: Comparison of
New Model Improve Variation 1 (left) to
Variation 2
(right), enlargement normalized so their ground glass is the same size
5 x 8 early
version with dark wood, nickel-plated hardware and metal label
5 x 8
(later?) version with lighter-colored wood than above, brass hardware
and celluloid label View at the
hinges of the base, showing the focus gears, a stamp reading "Made by
Rochester Optical Co.", and the lever that holds the bed rigid The label on
the front standard The stamp on
the top of the wooden case
Back to Rochester Optical Group of Manufacturers
Construction: back focus
via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails);
single or double swing; three-piece lens
board; non-reversing
Materials: Honduras mahogany body; cherry
bed; black fabric bellows; brass or nickeled
brass hardware varnish
finish
Sizes Offered: 3 ½x4 ½; 4x5; 4 ½x6 ½;
5x7; 5x8; 6 ½-8 ½; 8x10
Notes:
The New Model Improved is a New
Model, but with rack and pinion focusing rather than push-pull.
The two models were produced simultaneously over a long period of time,
and each had a number of variations, not all of which are illustrated in
catalogs.
Variation 1 has a very thin
wood frame around its ground glass. Therefore, for any given plate
size, Variation 1 is a smaller camera than either the
Variation 1.5 or Variation 2.
Variation 1.5
has the thicker frame
around its ground glass. It has the cam-type releases for the
ground glass frame, seen in other models, most commonly The Ideal, e.g.
The Ideal
Variation 1.
Variation 2
continues the thicker
frame around the ground glass, but goes back to the simple center clip
for the ground glass frame. The cams were would seem to have been
more expensive to make than could be continued for this very low cost
camera.
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY),
June 1890, p. 9
Photographic Materials Illustrated, John Wanamaker, Philadelphia,
PA, c.1890, p.7
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), May 1891, p. 9
Photographic Material,
Catalogue O & P, James W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia,
PA), 1891, p. 37 (as Improved Model Camera)
1892 Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), 1892, p.
9
1893 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), 1893, p. 12
1894 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), 1894, p. 12
1895 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), 1895, p. 15
1896 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), 1896, p. 15
Catalogue "G" 1896 Photographic Apparatus and Materials,
Montgomery Ward & Co. (Chicago, IL), 1896, p. 23
Catalogue "G" 1896-1897 Photographic Apparatus and Materials,
Montgomery Ward & Co. (Chicago, IL), p. 20
Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), May 1897, p. 15
Catalogue "G" 1897 Photographic Apparatus and Materials,
Montgomery Ward & Co. (Chicago, IL), 1897, p. 22-23
Catalogue "G" 1898 Photographic Apparatus and Materials,
Montgomery Ward & Co. (Chicago, IL), 1898, p.22
Dept. 5: Photographic Lenses, Supplies,
etc. 2nd ed.; Andrew J. Lloyd
& Co. (Boston, MA), 1897,
p. 46
Department 5, Photographic Supplies, Lenses, etc., Andrew J. Lloyd
& Co. (Boston, MA), undated c.1898, p.49
Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), distributed by
Horgan, Robey & Co. (Boston, MA), 1898, p. 13
Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), 1899, p. 15
Illustrated Catalogue No. 18, L.M. Prince &
Bros. (Cincinnati, OH), c. 1899, p. 36
Photography
has Made the Sun an Artist,
Andrew J. Lloyd (Boston, MA) catalog, 1899, p.79
