Dry Plate / Wet Plate Scovill & Adams Co. 5x8 Camera with Original Darlot Lens. This is simply a beautiful camera. Patent date is 1881, which I thought was dry-plate era, but it sure looks to me like wet plate stains at the bottom of the camera back. Lens is simply immaculate, flawless. In the close-up you can barely see the glass because it is so clear. Wood on the body and back is luscious and original. It has never been 'restored'. Bellows are visually lovely with slight corner wear evident. They are absolutely light-tight. I just performed a complete flashlight-inside-the-bellows-inside-a-darkened-room test and the results are perfect. The bottom of the track was rebuilt at one point so please be aware of this - it is not entirely original. Some of the track is original, but a couple of the pieces were replaced long before I owned the camera. Function was perfect until Grendel the Terrible, our beloved cleaning lady, managed to split the dovetailed groove in which the locking hardware normally slides to allow rear focus. The back still barely locks down but really the entire center rail of the track should be replaced with another grooved rail. Creating this rail will require a router, so be aware of this also. That's a lot of words for a single flaw, but I prefer full disclosure.
Now, back to the good stuff. Camera and lens are for sale as a pair only for $325. I would much prefer to sell to a buyer who will keep them together. The lens is worth the asking price alone. I will be greatly saddened if I see this show up in a flip sale on one of the other forums or auction sites. Flippers, curb thyselves.
More photos available if needed. Buyer pays only actual shipping. Enjoy!!
Now, back to the good stuff. Camera and lens are for sale as a pair only for $325. I would much prefer to sell to a buyer who will keep them together. The lens is worth the asking price alone. I will be greatly saddened if I see this show up in a flip sale on one of the other forums or auction sites. Flippers, curb thyselves.
More photos available if needed. Buyer pays only actual shipping. Enjoy!!
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