Can anyone identify this camera?

cptrios · Dec 28, 2021

Hi all,

The local thrift store (sadly staffed by young, savvy people and almost never the source of underpriced gear) runs a monthly write-in auction on stuff that they organize in a window display. This month, they've got this, which they describe as an "antique camera" that includes "two lenses and two boards." The dimensions, to me, look roughly about 8x8" or possibly a bit bigger.

The high bid is already at $200 so I'm guessing it won't be worth trying to buy, but I am definitely curious as to what it is.

Donald Qualls · Dec 28, 2021

Not from that side. It looks likely to be a 4x5 or half plate plate camera, but there were almost as many of those a hundred years ago as there were point and shoot 35mm in 1995.

nosmok · Dec 28, 2021

Could also be a 5x7, or a whole-plate (6-1/2" x 8-1/2") camera, if it is 'a bit bigger' than 8x8-- there are some very compact self-casing whole plates out there. You'd need to find out if the GG back is in the case, and if it has any holders-- some of these wonderfully crafted old cameras used non-modern-standard holders and "T" distances, and so are pretty useless without all their accessories ready to hand.

cowanw · Dec 28, 2021

I am going to guess a banquet camera.

Dan Fromm · Dec 28, 2021

Hmm. One camera without a back and facing the device used to take its picture and something else -- a carrying case? -- behind it.

AnselMortensen · Dec 28, 2021

It really irritates me when I see something poorly displayed like that in a thrift store...
C'mon, people...the Rules of Retail state that you must display items to their best advantage, so as to give the most information, and make the damn price tag readable.
Kids these days....
(I'm off to go yell at some clouds now.)

reddesert · Dec 28, 2021

Before we all yell at the thrift store kids, many older cameras open by pressing a button hidden under the leatherette, and people who haven't dealt with them don't have that figured out, and better they should display it from the back then try to force the front open. What would also be helpful is if they put a ruler in the picture, but most people don't know that size is critical here.

It's a plate camera. On the back, it has thin rails at each side that a plate holder slides under, I think (unless they accommodate a back that then holds the plates). These cameras can be quite compact, but the problem with using them is that the back and rail sizes aren't standard, so you really need the ground glass back and holders that fit this exact camera, as nosmok said. These might be in the carrying case if one is lucky. Then you have to shoot plates, or put film in plate holders with septums (Are septums a standard size to adapt say 4x5 film to 4x5 plates? I don't know).

Donald Qualls · Dec 29, 2021

reddesert said:
Are septums a standard size to adapt say 4x5 film to 4x5 plates?

Yes. For any given size, the outside dimensions of the film sheath is identical (length, width, and thickness) to a glass plate the same nominal size. Sheet film was then size slightly under to fit inside the sheath. So a 4x5 film sheath will fit where a 4x5 glass plate would go, and hold modern 4x5 sheet film. Same with 9x12 and 6.5x9, almost certainly all others. Glass plates were here first, so film was adapted to the existing hardware.

Jainey · Dec 29, 2021

My teacher says it is or is like Century Camera. Needs special Century Film Holders and Viewer camera from before there were standards. Not like mix match Toyo.

cptrios · Dec 29, 2021

Sorry I kind of ding-dong-ditched this thread! I did figure it was in the "nondescript plate camera" category, and don't worry, I have little interest in bidding on it. This thrift shop is an odd one; it's got lots of employees, and I'm not sure who makes camera-related decisions or if there even is someone consistently in that role. I bought a Canon EF 50/1.8 in there for $5 a few months ago, which would lead me to believe they've got no clue, yet they had an FE2 on sale behind the counter for $250 earlier this year. I also picked up a Kodak 3a with good bellows and a functioning shutter, also for $5, and the guy at the register asked me "Is that a camera?"

One would think that they'd figure out a way to extend the front standard and thus "look cool," especially since this month's auction is vaguely steampunk-themed.

Can anyone identify this camera?

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