Improved Rapid - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Improved Rapid

Late 1890s

J. Fallowfield

London

England

Ilex Camera Works

London

England

Image of Improved Rapid

Lens:
f8, rapid rectilinear. Wheel stops f8, f11, f16, f22.

Shutter:
Ilex, spring powered, spring regulated. Speeds 1/5, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, B.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body with polished interior to lens compartment.

Format:
12, 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates held in internal falling plate mechanism.

Focusing:
Close-up lenses on wheel for 3, 6, 9 feet.

Attributes:
Two brilliant view-finders. Exposure counter. The door at the front of the camera opens to change the shutter speed, set the aperture and focus. A door in the base opens to remove the plates.

With:
8 plate holders.

The same, or very similar, cameras were sold by Fallowfield as the Improved Rapid, by Benetfink as the Lightening, by Houghton as the Holborn and by other retailers. Over time this range of camera had different focusing arrangements, fittings such as levels were added and in the mid 1900s more up-to-date shutters. The camera is based on the patents of A.C. Jackson.

References & Notes:
BP 19329/1894. BP 27102/1896. BP 3055/1896. BJA 1898, p. 426. BJA 1899, p. 238. BJA 1900, pp. 202, 421. BJA 1902, pp. 445, 474, 1466. BJA 1905, pp. 346, 1317.

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