Above is the first HD, or high definition camera. It is the RCA 500A Iconoscope Camera that now scanned 441 lines, or double the old 220 lines and the year is 1944 in the pre TK years.

RCA's famous TK-series of cameras started in 1946, and reigned supreme at the networks and affiliate stations for many years because of their dependability and RCA's first quality service. On an average, each RCA camera model was in use for at least 15 or so years. Remember, CBS had 1946 TK10s in use till 1965.

Although some of the minor models are not shown, all of the major studio size cameras used for commercial broadcast are listed and shown here, but before you click the links at the top of the page to see the cameras at work, a note about the TK Models and Versions.

TK MODELS AND VERSIONS

Starting with the introduction of the TK10/30 Image Orthicon camera in late 1946, RCA made 2 versions of their black and white camera models…a studio version and a field version. Except for a few cosmetic differences on their viewfinders, the TK10s and TK30s were in fact the same cameras. Unlike the 10s and 30s, the TK11 (studio) and TK31 (field) looked exactly alike and were exactly alike internally.

In essence, the difference was in the chain only. Basically, that's what the Version number identifies. The rack mounted studio chains could be bigger and more complex because they usually never moved, but the field chains had to do the same job with suitcase sized camera control units and less power so the systems were a little different. Aside from their own chains, the TK10/30s could run on both TK11/31 chains but the 11/31s could not run on either TK10/30 chain because they needed more power.

On the TK10/30 and TK11/31 series, the first numeral following the TK is the Version Number. The second numeral is for the Model Number. For example, the Studio version of the 0 model (TK10) was always identified with a 1, and a Field version of the 0 model with a 3, as in the TK30.

Starting around 1954 with the TK40 and 41 series (which were different models with different chains), RCA began using letters to specify versions like the TK41 model with its A, B and C versions. The TK40 is not thought to ever have any letter classification as it was discontinued when the TK41 came along. As for the TK41…it is thought that it was introduced as just the TK41 with no letter designation. When the first updates were initiated on the assembly line in Camden, that modification became the A version and sold as the TK41A, and it is thought that from then on, all prior TK41s (no letter) were either upgraded to become A versions or were just simply referred to as a TK41A.

To see the cameras that remain intact and with us today, take a look at the Collections section.

For a count of all the classic cameras we know of that have survived, please see the Ellerbee Classic Camera Census in the new Archives section.

The chart of RCA color cameras sold by year that was previously below has been moved to the new Archives section. And with it, there is a brand new six page report that shows all color camera sales from all major brands, so please take a look at these great sources of information that are products of the research done by our friend Lytle Hoover of RCA and Old Radio.com.