Pony Premo #15 Camera Rochester Optical Co. 1901

In 1883 the Rochester Optical Company was founded by W. F. Carlton when he took over the assets of camera maker William H. Walker. It invented and produced the famous "Premo" view camera line. In 1899 it became participant of an unsuccessful merger of camera companies. The resulting company suffered losses and was taken over by Kodak in 1903. Kodak let the factory continue the Premo camera line.
The Pony Premo line was manufactured by the Rochester Optical Company beginning in 1896. Designed similar to the regular pattern but with the additional adjustments of double swing, rising and sliding front, and rack and pinion movement for focusing. It combines ease of manipulation, extreme compactness, portability and fine finish. Fitted with a Victor Rapid rectilinear lens and a victor shutter with pneumatic release and iris diaphragm. Either 4 ¼” X 3 ¼” glass plates or 5” X 4” plates could be used in this Pony Premo #15 camera.

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