Videx - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Videx

1903

Adams & Co.

London

England

Image of Videx

Lens:
f6.3, 6 ½" Zeiss Patent, iris diaphragm to f64. Combinable lens of two f12.5, 11 ½" groups, iris diaphragm to f64. Serial no. 11748 11760 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/8 - 1/1000, T. Not self-capping. Speed varied by altering the slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body.

Format:
4" x 5" exposures.

Focusing:
Bellows to 24" with combined lens, 8 feet with front element. Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror set independently to shutter. Revolving back. Spirit level.

Movements:
Rising front.

Serial Number:
295 .

Notes:
Address on camera: Adams & Co. 26 Charing Cross Rd London WC.
This is an early version of the Videx with a quadrant to support the focusing hood. The mechanism for the shutter is covered by leather, to gain access for repairs or regulation this has to be cut. On later models of the Videx and the Minex there are separate panels over the mechanism to provide access. There are no scales on the slide rails. There is a tie-on note with Adams printed name and address with the camera saying that it is obsolete.

With:

  • Focusing screen stored in hood recess.
  • Cartridge Film Roll-holder by Kodak. Finished in leather matching camera. Serial no. 10242.
  • Accessory draw containing: pencil, exposure record card d. 3/4/04. Adams case.

Videx

1903

Adams & Co.

London

England

Image of Videx

Lens:
f6.3, 6 ½" Zeiss Patent Double Protar, iris diaphragm to f45. Combinable lens of two f12.5, 11 ½" groups, iris diaphragm to f64. Serial no. 14371 14380 .

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/8 - 1/1000, T. Not self-capping. Speed varied by altering the slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body.

Format:
4" x 5" plates held in dark-slides.

Focusing:
Bellows to 25". Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex viewing through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror set independently to shutter. Revolving back. Spirit level.

Movements:
Rising front. Four way swing front.

Serial Number:
554 .

Notes:
Address on camera: Adams & Co. 26 Charing Cross Rd London WC. Ex Falchenberg collection.

With:

  • Focusing screen stored in hood recess. Film pack adapter.
  • Accessory draw containing: light yellow filter; medium yellow filter; tripod screw; pencil; exposure record card.

Videx

Model of 1908

Adams & Co.

London

England

Image of Videx Model of 1908

Lens:
f5.6, 11 ½" Port-Land, iris diaphragm to f22. By Spencer Lens Co. Buffalo N. Y. Serial no. 173 (c. 1913).

Shutter:
Focal-plane, speeds 1/8 - 1/1000, T. Not self-capping. Speed varied by altering the slit width.

Construction:
Leather covered mahogany body.

Format:
6 ½" x 4 ¾" plates held in double dark-slides.

Focusing:
Bellows to 58". Double extension.

Attributes:
Reflex through taking lens. Full-size ground glass screen.
Mirror set independently to shutter. Lever inside hood controls speed of mirror.
Revolving back. Spirit level. Hinged lens panel with sky shade. Scale on struts to front standard: F38, F36, F34, F32, F30, F28, F26, at 1" intervals.

Identification:
Version without quadrant to lid of hood.

Movements:
Rising front.

Serial Number:
585 .

Notes:
Address on camera: Adams & Co. 26 Charing Cross Rd London WC.
This camera was possibly used in a portrait studio where a long, soft-focus lens would be ideal.

With:
Focusing screen stored in hood recess.

The Videx replaced the earlier Adams Reflex and was itself replaced by the better known Minex. The Videx appeared in 1903 or late 1902 and for that period was advanced in its construction and features. The early models were produced in quarter-plate, 5" x 4" and half-plate sizes. Around 1906 a 2 ½" x 3 ½" size was introduced along with postcard and stereo models to special order. Two stereo sizes were available 5 ½" x 3 ½" and 6 ¾" x 3 ¼".

Lenses were originally Zeiss or Goerz, later Voigtländer and Ross Homocentrics were fitted as standard. Any make would be fitted upon request. The Dallmeyer Adon was offered as a telephoto option.

In 1906 a four-way swing front (later used on the Minex) became available.

In 1908 the curved strut to hold the focusing hood open was replaced by a shorter straight strut. At this time (1908) the camera was produced in two models Popular and De-Luxe. The De-Luxe model had triple extension and was made of teak, it was considerably more expensive than the Popular.

In 1909 the Minex was brought out, the Videx remained available for a year or so. The Radex (1911) took the place of the Videx as the cheaper alternative to the Minex.

References & Notes:
Videx shutter. BJA 1904, pp. 330, 909. BJA 1905, p. 322. BJA 1906, p. 316. BJA 1907, p. 306. BJA 1908, p. 264. BJA 1909, p. 267. BJA 1910, p. 273. Phot. Journal 1903, p. xx.


Company Details:

Adams & Co.

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