Re: R.B.Cycle Info - Follow-up

[Leonard Robertson <Leonard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Scott,
 Your 6 1/2 X 8 1/2 Cycle Graphic is the body used for the #8 Cirkut
Outfit. If you are really lucky &/or patient, it is possible to find
the rest of the parts to make a complete Cirkut. I've done this twice
(more or less) successfully, but both times it was challenging. There is
a good chance the cost of the parts will equal or exceed the cost of a
complete #8 Outfit (one sold today on eBay for $1350;
see
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=282219224). I
don't know where you found the Cycle body, but if there is any chance of
the source having some of the other Cirkut pieces, I would check there
first.
 The Cycle Graphic can be used as a picture taker by itself. There is a
new revival of the 6 1/2 X 8 1/2 format. Film is available. If you look
for film holders in this size, be aware the Cycle Graphic takes holders
narrower across the 6 1/2 side than many of the holders you may find on
the used market.
 I'm intrigued by the 12" and 24" scales on the bed. The common
lenses on #8s were an 11"-18" double-convertible or a 10
1/2"-18"-24" triple-convertible. You may have a body that
came with a special order lens. You might look on the left side of the
bed for a couple of nail holes that held a third focusing scale (if the
lens was a triple).
 Finally, if you open the front door and look up inside the top of the
body, you may see a serial number stamped into the wood. I'm curious what
the number is. It may help date the camera.

                     Leonard

At 07:36 AM 3/18/2000 -0500, you wrote: 
> I have an "R.B.Cycle" camera, 8 x
> 10, with no lens.  The markings on the 
> bottom read either "98" or "86", depending.  The
> camera appears to be in 
> quite good shape, except that the leather is coming loose from the back
> of the pressure plate. There is a distance to gear scale along the bed,
> so I'm assuming that is is a convertible pan, similar to a Cirkut 
> outfit.  Any info? 
>
> Thanks to those who answered my first query.  I have more info to
> offer: 
>
> The camera is a 6.5 X 8.5.  My mistake. 
>
> There are two distance/gear scales on the right side of the bed; one
> for 24" and one for 12". 
>
> The full label on the front standard reads: 
>
>                             R.B.CYCLE GRAPHIC 
>                             FOLMER & SCHWING DIVISION 
>                             EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY 
>                             ROCHESTER, N.Y. 
>
> The back rotates. 
>
> The bellows are red. 
>
> TIA for any additional info that you might provide. 
>
> Scott