Rochester Optical Co.

The Ideal Camera, Variation 2

Date Introduced: - Years Manufactured: c. 1890-1897
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); single or double swing; three-piece lensboard; reversed by removable back; single swing is illustrated in both the engraving (1895 reference  below) and the photos
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered:3.25x4.25; 4x5; 4.25x6.5; 5x7; 5x8; 6.5-8.5; 8x10; 11x14; 14x17; 17x20; 18x22; 20x24
Notes: 14x17 and larger were back focus and had no rack and pinion gears; w/ canvas case and holder normally.  The photographed cameras are 5x8 (above) and 6.5x8.5 (below).   The Ideal was the top of the line camera of this style, while the almost identical Empire State Camera was more moderately priced.  The Ideal, Variation 1 had a hinged ground glass and cam-buttons that drew the plateholder tight against the back, while Variation 2 had a spring back.  The camera below has a metal label, rather than the usual celluloid label shown above.
References:
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, June 1890, p. 4-5 (one engraving is Variation 1 while a second engraving is Variation 2)
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, May 1891, p. 4-5
1893 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, 1893, p. 6-7
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1893, p. 104
1894 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, 1894, p. 6-7
1895 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, 1895, p. 10-11
1896 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, 1896, p. 10-11
Dept. 5: Photographic Lenses, Supplies, etc. 2nd ed.; Andrew J. Lloyd & Co. (Boston) catalog, 1897, p. 45

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