Derby ID key
Identifying your Derby
The Foth Derby comes in a bewildering range of variants. In total five discrete types can be distinguished, each with their own sub-types, lens combinations and viewfinder options, augmented by additional variations subject to the market the camera was sold to. The technical and construction details common to all Derby models are:
- Cloth focal plane shutter with speed settings of B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/75, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/500.
- Leather-covered aluminium body construction, with a strut folding system.
- Lens with helical focussing.
The dichotomous key provided below provides an avenue at identifying the types of Foth Derby. Given the confusing similarity of models and variants, it is recommended that you follow the steps, rather than scanning for criteria. When you have identified your model, click on the model name to see a full description. The typology set out here was created by observation of a large number of Derby cameras in the author’s collection[1].
STEP 1 Does the Derby have a self-timer?
No
- ‘Foth Derby” embossed on the leather
- ‘Gallus” embossed on the leather
Yes
- Does the Derby have a rangefinder?
- No
- Yes
STEP 2 What windows does the camera back show?
Two round red windows
- Does the lens have a serial number?
- No
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- Yes
- Pressure plate margin
- notched
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- straight
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- → [Derby#Derby 2 (1931–)|Derby 2C/3.5]]
- notched
- Pressure plate margin
- No
Two oval red and two oval green windows
- Does the lens have a serial number?
- No
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- Yes
- Foth Anastigmat
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- Zeiss Tessar
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- Dallmeyer Dallon
- lens f5.6
- → Derby 3D
- lens f5.6
- Foth Anastigmat
- No
Notes
- ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann