Ellsworth Kolb photographing in the Grand Canyon with a Seneca 8x10 Competetor View Camera.

The Seneca 8x10"
"COMPETETOR VIEW"

On May 14th, 1909, The Kolb Brothers purchased an 8x10" Seneca Competetor View for $111.65. This camera was used on their 1911 Colorado river trip. This model was manufactured between 1907 and 1925. Shown on the left is Ellsworth Kolb, making photographs of the Colorado River, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

I purchased a used Competetor View in 1994 - with a new ground glass - for $120.00


The Camera Folded for Backpacking

This unit was designed for 8x10 inch film and it only weighs 7.5 pounds. That makes it one of the lightest 8x10" cameras ever made. It is ideal for backpack use. It will fit easily into most full-sized packs. The lens board opening is 4 3/4" square.

The mahogany construction is finished with black paint and it has nickel-plated brass fittings. It measures 12" x 14" x 5 1/2" when folded. The black leather tapered bellows compresses all the way back into the rear frame. The front focusing rail is hinged and folds up to protect the bellows.

The rail segment under the camera is 3 3/8" long. The front rail is 13 5/16" long. The rails are 7 1/4" wide (outside measure.) The rails themselves are 7/8" wide. The metal tracks on the rails are 1/8" wide and are 6 1/2" apart (center to center.)

8x10 Competetor View folded up and ready for backpacking


The camera shown with the bellows fully extended.

Camera Bellows Open: Full Front Extension

The movements are front rise, rear tilt and rear panel pivot. The front standard is provided with rack & pinion rise and fall, capable of 4.5" of movement. The rear panel has rack & pinion tilting, and bracket & thumb screw swing.

Both the front standard and the rear panel are capable of focusing the camera. Both are equiped with a rack & pinion "track" movement.


The Ground Glass Focusing Panel

The reversible spring back has a ground glass panel for focusing and is capable of both horizontal or vertical formats without rotating the whole camera. An important feature is a lever that opens the back and permits easy insertion of the film holder.

Care must be taken because the rear panel can be unstable. Small wooden wedges and foam shims may be inserted between the lower supporting frame and the rear panel in order to immobilize the rear panel.

The ground glass focusing panel shown in the horizontal or landscape position.

Because this camera is so light, the weight of an inserted film holder may sometimes make the rear panel tilt slightly. This tilting action may cause the focus to shift from what was just seen on the ground glass. Shims make it possible to lock the rear panel in place, even when the camera is tilted up or down at extreme angles.


The same photo as shown at the top of the page with the Colorado River visible. Ellsworth Kolb working with the 8x10 Competetor View Camera.


Some Photos Made with This Camera


Kolb Bros and Their Photo Work


Return to Mike Quinn's
Photographic Exploration


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