Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Langenbacher
Preserving History: The Rare Kodak No. 4 Plate Camera, Series D
Purchased by my great-grandfather, Englebert (Bert) Langenbacher (1876–1958), around 1902, this Kodak No. 4 Plate Camera, Series D, is now a cherished family heirloom. An avid photographer, Bert used the camera to capture everyday moments and document the evolving landscapes of his time. With only 2,100 ever made, it stands as a rare and remarkable piece of photographic history.
In 1902, the camera cost $81.50—a substantial investment then, equivalent to roughly $2,700 today—which underscores Bert’s passion for photography. Manufactured by Eastman Kodak in the early 1900s, the Series D model was a high-quality folding plate camera designed for professional and advanced amateur photographers. It accommodated 4x5-inch glass plates and, with the appropriate adapters, could also be used with film holders.
Notably, the camera is equipped with a Bausch & Lomb lens paired with a Unicum shutter—a high-quality, precision-controlled leaf shutter system from the early 20th century.
Below are scans of the only surviving 4x5 glass plate negatives taken by Bert with his Kodak No. 4 camera over a century ago.
Although the original Kodak camera body could not be restored, the extraordinary lens was carefully refurbished and adapted for use on my modern 4x5 field camera. I will be using this lens in combination with my 4x5 field camera for an upcoming exhibit in Noblesville, IN in the spring of 2025.
