Century Camera and Dallmeyer lens info?

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

I just bought this camera and have been trawling the web trying to get the exact model. It is a Century and Co. studio camera. I think it is a No. 4 from about 1907? The back is 9 1/2 inches square, why is it square, is it for different size dry plate holders? I want to maybe install a wet-plate back on it later on. Secondly, the Dallmeyer lens a 4D portrait lens, has a number 53180 on it. Can anyone date it? I think it is a good lens yes? it is very clean. Thanks, Harry

 

[gandolfi]

I just bought this camera and have been trawling the web trying to get the exact model. It is a Century and Co. studio camera. I think it is a No. 4 from about 1907? The back is 9 1/2 inches square, why is it square, is it for different size dry plate holders? I want to maybe install a wet-plate back on it later on. Secondly, the Dallmeyer lens a 4D portrait lens, has a number 53180 on it. Can anyone date it? I think it is a good lens yes? it is very clean. Thanks, Harry

hi Harry. I don't know about the camera, but I think (as I see it in the Vademecum) that the lens is a patent portrait soft focus lens. (very nice!!)(made from ca 1900-1920) You should be able to turn the barrel for soft focusing...(I have a 3A)

If you don't want the lens.... you know where to tell....

 

[AllenR]

Here is a link to Voigtlander and Dallmeyer serial numbers on Dan Colucci's web site. You will find your's listed.

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/sn.htm

 

[jimgalli]

Here's a catalog page about the lens from Seth Broder's fantastic web site. Gorgeous outfit! Congratulations.

Is that back door already made for wet plate? Hope someone will know. I always equate square with wet plate. The plate wasn't, but you could put the oblong plate in the square area either horiz or vert I think.

 

[Kerik]

Harry,

I'm no expert with the period cameras, but that looks like a wet plate camera, although it's exceptionally clean. Wet plate cameras that saw much use are usually stained with silver nitrate. As long as the glass is clean, that's a great lens you've got there! It will be quite subject to flare, as most lenses of that period are, so be aware of where your light source is.

 

[Anton Lukoszevieze]

Thanks guys. I have been doing some trawling and I think it is a Century No. 2 studio camera. Century cameras were called so because they started at the turn of the century (the last one). But, why does it look like a wet-plate back? What kind of holders fit it? I think they still used the wet-plate style for dry plate cameras after 1880's. When did they stop making and using wet-plate, 1890? Well, this all calls for more research I think. Still, the lens does look beautiful, seller states so too, it has not arrived yet, I think I got lucky with that. Are Dallmeyer Portrait lenses pricey these days, they certainly look great for collodion?

Harry

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

http://dioptrique.info/base/m/m_dallmeyer.htm

Another resource, though I am not sure your lens is included. Best of luck in your search.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography

 

[goamules]

I have a Century 2, and it looks the same. Several of them look the same though, you can get a good overview here:
http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium/pm.cgi?action=display&login=centuryprodline

I believe by this point they were made for dryplates, but I use mine for wetplate. A regular back and dryplate holder can be easily modified to make tintypes or ambrotypes. Your back looks unusual, may be great for WP.

It's a neat camera, with just tilt and swing. Big though, it's for studio work after all.

There is a lens guy named Sean on the CW reenactors collodion board that has the Dallmeyer factory ledgers. He can show you the exact date.

Garrett
www.flickr.com/photos/garrettsphotos/sets/72157601802735284/

 

[jonw]

Here is a link to Voigtlander and Dallmeyer serial numbers on Dan Colucci's web site. You will find your's listed.

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/sn.htm

Allen, his website has been closed. Any other source reference for the serial numbers? Anyone? Thanks. Jon

 

[luvcameras]

My website moved to antiquecameras.net

You can find Dallmeyer lens dates here: Dead Link Removed


Dan