Me And Rosie…My RCA TK41C
November 16, 2006 was one of the happiest days of my life. On that day, I finally had an RCA TK41 of my very own. I think I had wanted one of these since 1961 when I was 11 years old and just becoming fascinated with television. If you want to know why I named her Rosie, just click on the link below. Enjoy and share.
https://eyesofageneration.com/camera-collection/rca-tk41c/
December 21, 1958…’Dancing: A Man’s Game’ With Gene Kelly NBC’s great ‘Omnibus’ program, which I remember well, was a wide ranging show that on one Sunday afternoon included a half hour segment conceived, written and narrated by Gene Kelly. Assisted by the top names in sport, like Mickey Mantle, Sugar Ray Robinson and Johnny Unitas, […]
Picture Parade 1…A Great Idea With Little Follow Through I have often wondered why so few ever used the Mole-Richardson boom platform for a camera platform. It’s perfect for studio and location work. Big tires, easy to steer, adjustable height and relatively light weight. The only other incident of this I’ve seen, is in a […]
The First Camera Dolly, 1936 In the patent application, this is referred to as a “camera carriage” and as you can see, it has only three wheels. Designed by Victor Raby and made by Studio Equipment Company, these are now rare items and only a couple of these are still around. One of the survivors […]
The Norelco Era: Before we talk about the cameras, let’s talk about Ed’s “personal cameraman”, Mr. George Moses who whe see above shooting the boss with a new Norelco PC71. Stage Manager Eddie Brinkman was with Ed from the first show till the last one and George was there for 21 of the 23 years! […]
Great photo . . .of you and Rosie!
Thank you for the history, I enjoy the way you show history thru the life of cameras. Thank you again
Great camera and a great photo! Although I’ve never operated one, I too had a love affair with this camera. I remember, as a kid at my grandparents house, making a TK41-ish looking camera out of cardboard boxes. I wish I had photos of that! My parents and grandparents thought I was crazy, but it kept me busy! I wonder how many other TK41s are still out there somewhere waiting to be discovered? (Especially in working condition!)
I was 18 when I started in the business. The very first week I had my one and only encounter with 41’s by placing one on a 30′ scaffold ped and all. I was sore for a week after that placement!
On a somewhat related note:
Can someone tell us why RCA in later camera models chose to eliminate the silver hammer tone exterior color in favor of the familiar RCA Blue that was in production right up to the end? I’m especially curious as to why that color? Because it seems just about every piece of equipment coming out from the late sixties on was sporting it…
I want one too! My wife says no!
Wow, you and Rosie look great.
Dreams CAN come true…..congrats, Bobby
That must have cost you and arm and a leg…………………..
Thanks for sharing the great history! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Bobbie, is there a list online of the location of the surviving TK41s?
Great pix Bobbie. How many of your cameras can you fire up?
Thanks!
Obiter- yes I don’t know of any operational TK-41s.
Charles Park Seward, Bobby mentions on the Eyes website that the great Chuck Pharis has a complete TK-41 chain which appears to be in working condition. But actually getting one to work isn’t trivial, as the chain CCU, power supply, colorplexer etc. consist of so many pieces.
That was a great read – enjoyed the sense of history. You can tell how much the author really wanted this camera – the sentimentality attached to the story is fantastic! Thanks for the post.
I think that’s the spare KTLA purchased from NBC as indicated by the sticker above the lens. If it is, that’s the same camera that I once helped carry up the top of bleachers to the platform for the Tournament of Roses parade. Glad it has a good home.
Is this cam in operating condition? CCU & all?
Great pic, camera AND shirt!