Anyone have any info on this camera and what the value might be.

[campy51]

I have a friend who's 92 year old uncle needs to move in with them and he has some of his father's old cameras and lenses when he was a professional photographer.

 

[BrianShaw]

What a nice old camera!

 

[shutterfinger]

They are studio portrait cameras. If they were Century then there would be a name plate on the base of the front standard below the lens board opening for the camera and somewhere obvious for the stand. The camera on the stand has a sliding back that allows two poses from the same camera position and oft times on the same sheet of film.
Have a look at http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs.htm Possible candidates are American Optical, E. & HT Anthony, Eastman Kodak, Gundlach, Rochester Optical, and Seneca. Expect the manufacturing to be in the mid 1900's to 1930.

Stand camera- Agfa Ansco #5 Studio, see the Agfa Ansco 1930 and 1938 catalogs in the American Optical/Scovil/Agfa Ansco selection. Dryer camnera may be an Ansco also.

 

[AgX]

As Shutterfinger I see two cameras.

 

[DREW WILEY]

More of antique or conversation piece in terms of value assessment. Any potential user would have to assess how much work and expense would be
involved in refurbishing it. All cleaned up sometimes these things can go for a couple thousand bucks if you're willing to wait a very long time for a
potential buyer to come along. Otherwise, I've know of them being hauled to the dump.

 

[Alan Gales]

The ones I see on Ebay want "pick up only". Shipping would have to be freight and cost a pretty penny. From what I see, Sellers ask $1,500 and up depending upon condition and if the camera is complete. I see a lot with missing backs or reduction backs and missing the larger back. Of course this is what they are asking. I haven't followed any to see if they actually sold for that or not.

Like Drew says a lot of people look at them as antiques and want them for display in their homes.

 

[GregW]

I see two brass lenses with waterhouse stops,(look on the floor) the board on the larger camera has a large packard shutter plus the unusual lens shutter combo on the dryer camera, hardly useless antique curiosities. Pieces that get a fair amount of usage among many photographers today. Items that can fetch a nice return at auction. The larger camera may be a difficult sell but in the right venue it should go.

 

[Alan Gales]

I see two brass lenses with waterhouse stops,(look on the floor) the board on the larger camera has a large packard shutter plus the unusual lens shutter combo on the dryer camera, hardly useless antique curiosities. Pieces that get a fair amount of usage among many photographers today. Items that can fetch a nice return at auction. The larger camera may be a difficult sell but in the right venue it should go.

Oh, they are not useless antique curiosities. It's just that a lot of Sellers call them antique and put big price on them hoping someone interested in antiques will buy them. You ask too much and most photographers will buy something else cheaper and use a tripod.

 

[ic-racer]

The camera on the floor will be easier to use since it folds and has a shutter.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The difference between a quaint old brass lens being a bookend and a viable "user" lens that someone will pay to obtain a retro effect is all about
condition. Given the overall appearance of how this rig has been stored, my hunch (and it's only a guess based on the web image) is that the lens
itself isn't in all that great shape. But if it does look usable, check with someone who specializes in older barrel lenses like Jim Galli on this forum.

 

[AgX]

The camera on the floor will be easier to use since it folds and has a shutter.

I did not see that. Then it makes three.

 

[DREW WILEY]

The value of the folder is easier to predict. ZERO.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Well, not technically a folder at all, but collapsible. Still zero, or maybe less than zero. Might make a cute conversation piece if cleaned up. In such cases, sentimental value is what counts.

 

[campy51]

Here are some lenses that are with the camera.

 

[campy51]

Here are some lenses that are with the camera.

 

[campy51]

No markings on this one.

 

[removed account4]

the lenses, might be worth a small fortune. do an ebay search on their name and model number ( 1A &c )
and search for completed auctions. there is a market for these lenses. you might be able to detect what type of lens the noname is
by casting a light in the lens and counting reflections ( or if you are a puzzle master taking it apart ) and reading up on lens designs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photographic_lens_design

good luck keeping the low-ballers at bay !
john

 

[shutterfinger]

A few years ago on an episode of Pawn Stars a woman brought in a Century Studio camera on a Century Stand with a brass barrel lens. The bellows were shot, the wood in fair condition and all components very dirty. Rick gave her $1200 for it and said he could get $2200 from a collector. Some portrait photographers use these cameras with modern lens while others use the vintage lens you have.
Check the catalog link in post 3. Some of the catalogs in the Kodak, Folmer & Schwing section are from retailers and have a wide verity of equipment of the time from many manufacturers.

 

[campy51]

Here are a couple of lenses that are with it. From what I understand they could be worth as little as a couple of hundred dollars to thousands. Anyone know?

 

[removed account4]

it all depends on condition of the glass inside,
and who wants to pony up the $$$
good luck surfing ebay for similars.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Often the value of a big studio camera with a stand depends on where it is located as much as condition. A camera that is driving distance of New York City could be worth five times as much as the same camera in the same condition in a small town far from any major population center.

 

[shutterfinger]

According to A Lens Collector Vade Mecum the Voigtländer & Sohn is a Petzval portrait lens from around 1880 to 1883. The list of serial numbers is incomplete with 27449 as 1884. The Bausch and Lomb is a Universal Portrait and believed to be a Petzval design. " The separation of the rear glasses was adjustable to control softness, and this may be most useful in close-up
as it increases the depth and eveness of definition. "

Want one of these but probably can't afford it.

 

[Wayne]

Often the value of a big studio camera with a stand depends on where it is located as much as condition. A camera that is driving distance of New York City could be worth five times as much as the same camera in the same condition in a small town far from any major population center.

Yep. And to me in a small town far from large population center, such a camera is worth only my time and expense in going to pick it up within 300 miles or so, plus maybe a hundred bucks.

 

[campy51]

According to A Lens Collector Vade Mecum the Voigtländer & Sohn is a Petzval portrait lens from around 1880 to 1883. The list of serial numbers is incomplete with 27449 as 1884. The Bausch and Lomb is a Universal Portrait and believed to be a Petzval design. " The separation of the rear glasses was adjustable to control softness, and this may be most useful in close-up
as it increases the depth and eveness of definition. "

Want one of these but probably can't afford it.

The aperture is missing on the Bausch & Lomb which will drop the value.

 

[jimgalli]

Are we going to knock off the uncle and sell the cameras? The big one on the rolling stand is worth roughly $900 with the stand. The lens with the sliders is worth about the same. It's a Petsval of 11" or so focus. Maybe a bit less as it only covers 5X7 or so. 5X8 is rare. The one with number 5 is a Voigtlander Euryscop series IV #5 Rapid Rectilinear and is probably the most valuable. My guess is $1200 - ish on ebay. The one with no markings is a 10" Darlot made for a projector. Also a Petzval. Probably $275 on it. Hope that helps. Prices fluctuate with the markets. When it's bull and people feel flush prices go up. Just now they're down a bit from 18 months ago.