Not A Registered Trademark, but what is the "R" for???

I thought about the r for reproduction as well. But if it's for copy work would it have come in a shutter or would it have been a barrel lens? I also thought it could be for remanufactured. Maybe the reason why it is so rare is that only a few were sent back and recoated or realigned. Just thoughts.

 

Paul

At one time Kodak had someone in charge of historical stuff. You might try searching their web site and sending the question by email.

Okay Dan, Thanks for giving it a go. . .Paul

Hello Vivek,

Yes you are absolutely right I thought we reprographic on the list. I will compile what options we have so far.

 

What reprographic lenses I have and have seen have a word like "repro" in the name. For example I have a small "Wollensak 6 3/8" (161mm) f:4.5 Graphic Raptar" All the line I just wrote wraps the lens.

 

Thank You, Paul

Hello Conrad,

 

I have tried a few web pages without luck but I will look some more. Thanks for the input, Paul

Coating stated before WW2 in premium Kodak Ektars. Like the Kodak Bantum Special with F2 in 1941; or the Kodak Ektra camra in 1941. <BR><BR>The Aero Ektars of WW2 were hard coated; plus many military lenses. Post war my 1946 Ektar 127mm F4.7 is coated; but with no "L". The 1941 bantum and Ektra lenses are coated; with no marking "L" symbol. <BR><BR>Post WW2 the "L" marking was added as a marketing tool; for sales & advertising. The WW2 Aero Ektars I have are hard coated; but then these were a war effort lens design. They were not marked "L"; but were hard coated ..Many references say they are soft coatings; maybe so to German flak; but they are hard coated in all of mine. This is the famous Kodak circle-L trademark Kodak. <BR><BR>I always assumed the "R" just meant "Registered Trademark" for the "L" symbol that just came out after WW2; noting a coated lens....; since I have see "R" this next to other new trademarks that popped up post war. Maybe an earlier version of � ..

Well my circle R didnt show up in html!

Yes Kelly, and the fact that it is not a circled ® makes me scratch my brain as to what exactly it is! Thanks for your imput. We are gathering a lot of ideas. . . it would be nice if the ghost of Kodak past would pop in and illuminate this puzzle! Paul

Well, I'm not the ghost of Kodak past, but I do work in the building where all those lenses were made. I went and looked in our old lens storage box and examined the Ektar (and others) collection. Camera lenses, enlarger lenses, from 1940 to 1965. None of them have an "R" like yours does. I'm sure there were lots of variations throughout production (which was never huge)but I can't imagine what the "R" might mean. We don't have a 190mm/4.5 Ektar (I've never seen one)but I doubt that yours is a Wide Field lens, they were all f/6.3. Kodak gave their patent museum and a lot of data to the George Eastman House museum some years back. I believe the camera curator there is Todd Gustafsson... try www.geh.org.

Hello Mark,

 

Not the ghost but definately the spirit of Kodak! Thank you for taking the time to search your archives and the tip to George Eastman House. I will follow up and let folks know if I am able to find out more.

 

Now can we organise a field trip to the Rochester Plant! Just Kidding!!!

 

Thank You Mark,

Paul

The List:

 

Really fantastic

 

Radiography

 

Research

 

Registered

 

Reject

 

Rare

 

Rectilenear

 

Rochester

 

Reprographic

 

. . . and growing?

 

Thank You to all the hunt continues! Paul

Ridiculous, risible.

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

Thanks Dan,

 

That was interesting what Mark found, or rather did not find!

 

Paul

Just an update to all, I just emailed the Eastman House for some help, let's see what happens next? Paul

Replacement?

Hello Bill,

 

Yes, Replacement is a viable spoke in the puzzle, however I have never seen it used? Let's hope that the folks at the Eastman House get back to me with the right answer???

 

Thank You,

Paul

Just a quick update to say I have written two emails to the Eastman House and have yet to receive a reply? I have not given up on finding out what this marking means and will continue my search. . . If and when I find an answer I will post it here for all to know!

 

Thank You All,

Paul

Rapid?

 

Retina?

I received this in this mornings email and wanted to post it for all. . .

 

 

The 7-1/2 inch f/4.5 Ektar lens was designed for use with aerial cameras,

such as the K-20 used in World War II. The code letters, EI, indicate that

it was manufactured in 1948, and the (L) is for Kodak's lens coating, called

Lumenized. I am also puzzled by the "R", but do not think that it has much

significance. The lens was designed to cover 4x5, and to be used focused on

infinity, so it does not produce the best optical results used close and

covering 8x10 inches. As you have discovered, this does not mean that it

will not produce good pictures. The un-coated version of this lens was

eagerly sought as "war surplus" at the end of World War II.

 

Sincerely,

 

Todd Gustavson

Curator

Technology collection

 

 

. . . seems the puzzle goes on?<GRINNNNN> Paul

 

Thanks Will for your imput I did not want to ignore it but this is right from the Geaorge Eastman House team of historians and archivists!

Paul, I think that I have the answer. The guy at Kodak who did the engraving on the lens was named RALPH, and this was his way of marking his work for posterity. In view of your surprisingly unhelpful response from GEH, I think it's as likely a story as any. ;<)

I THINK YOU GOT IT BILL! Made By Ralph! or Roger, maybe Rita, no Roxanne. . . :)

Roger that!