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] with additional data and observation by a wide range of camera collectors.
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
- ‘Germany’ on the advance knob?
- No
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- No, but 'Germany' embossed in the leather
- Yes
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- No
- ‘Germany’ on the advance knob?
- Yes
- Pressure plate margin (see photos below)
- notched
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- straight
- lens f2.5
- lens f3.5
- notched
- Pressure plate margin (see photos below)
- 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
ID images
notched pressure plate with metal rims |
notched pressure plate |
straight pressure plate |
straight pressure plate with red and green windows |
images by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann