Tracking serial

[Spikon]

Hi,
Does anyone knows how to track a serialnumber on a Kodak Portrait Lens 305, the number is RY129.

Thanks,
Tomas

[David Lindquist]

Year of production of a Kodak lens can be determined from the two letters preceding the numbers using this code:

CAMEROSITY
1234567890

For your lens RY = 50 or 1950. I think Kodak started using this system in the early 1940's.

David

[studiochrom]

nice. i have one reading RY102.

almost thought you re talking about my lens here

[Spikon]

Hi David, are you swedish? I am. And 129 could be manufacturenumber that year?

Thanks for info,
Tomas

[David Lindquist]

Hi David, are you swedish? I am. And 129 could be manufacturenumber that year?

Thanks for info,
Tomas

My father's parents came to this country from Sweden early in the 20th century.

I don't know for sure how Eastman Kodak did their serial numbers. I've never seen one with less than three digits. For example they may have started each year with the first serial number assigned being 100 (preceded by the appropriate letter code). Then yours would have the thirtieth serial number assigned in 1950. Kodak used one series of numbers for all their lenses, Ektars, Commercial Ektars and Wide Field Ektars.
David

[Spikon]

OK then I know,

Thanks,
Tomas