BlueMoonCamera
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The Crown Graphic post a couple of weeks back spurred a good number of comments about the utility, ubiquity, and appeal of those Swiss Army Knife cameras. This week, we're going to look at an often overlooked source of big cameras, namely our eBay site.
Our brick-and-mortar store carries the shining stars of our photographic stock. The underdogs, wannabees, dog-eared and aged often are relegated to our eBay store. Not that they are incapable of performing, mind you, but we can't guarantee or economically repair them for consignment. eBay is our outlet store, the remainder and clearance site. It's also a great place to hunt for bargains. A case in point is this 1910-ish Conley XVIa 5x7" drop-bed plate camera.
One of these old beauties can make stepping up to a larger format less painful than forking out the dough for a considerably more expensive modern model. A couple of holders (film or plate) and a little patience will either whet your appetite for more or convince you that your grandfather's Minox is more your style.
This particular camera needs a lens in better shape than the one pictured. But the bones are here for a great experience. These things are fun!
Oh, but wait, you say - it's a plate camera. What about getting sharp focus on film? I once owned a similar camera by another manufacturer. It had an antique rapid rectilinear lens in an old shutter. I made a thin window of acrylic sheet that slipped between the ground glass and camera body when I composed and focused my images. I removed it when inserting the film holder. At f/16 or f/22, my images were quite sharp. Can't afford another lens? Slap a pinhole on it and go to town. In the meantime, hunting for another lens, even a modern one, is part of the game.
This type of camera is stored folded-up. The beautifully finished woodwork often is intact, and the cameras often have usable bellows. This one has what appears to be a replacement bellows from the not-too-distant past. And, it boasts a revolving back.
Trying a larger format does not need to break your bank account. And rehabilitating an old camera often takes little more than a screwdriver, some wood glue, and a little ingenuity. Think about it!
And, while you're thinking, sign up for The Loupe, our free weekly e-mail newsletter. You'll see not only our Film Friday discount of the week, but also what's new and interesting in our main store.
Our brick-and-mortar store carries the shining stars of our photographic stock. The underdogs, wannabees, dog-eared and aged often are relegated to our eBay store. Not that they are incapable of performing, mind you, but we can't guarantee or economically repair them for consignment. eBay is our outlet store, the remainder and clearance site. It's also a great place to hunt for bargains. A case in point is this 1910-ish Conley XVIa 5x7" drop-bed plate camera.
One of these old beauties can make stepping up to a larger format less painful than forking out the dough for a considerably more expensive modern model. A couple of holders (film or plate) and a little patience will either whet your appetite for more or convince you that your grandfather's Minox is more your style.
This particular camera needs a lens in better shape than the one pictured. But the bones are here for a great experience. These things are fun!
Oh, but wait, you say - it's a plate camera. What about getting sharp focus on film? I once owned a similar camera by another manufacturer. It had an antique rapid rectilinear lens in an old shutter. I made a thin window of acrylic sheet that slipped between the ground glass and camera body when I composed and focused my images. I removed it when inserting the film holder. At f/16 or f/22, my images were quite sharp. Can't afford another lens? Slap a pinhole on it and go to town. In the meantime, hunting for another lens, even a modern one, is part of the game.
This type of camera is stored folded-up. The beautifully finished woodwork often is intact, and the cameras often have usable bellows. This one has what appears to be a replacement bellows from the not-too-distant past. And, it boasts a revolving back.
Trying a larger format does not need to break your bank account. And rehabilitating an old camera often takes little more than a screwdriver, some wood glue, and a little ingenuity. Think about it!
And, while you're thinking, sign up for The Loupe, our free weekly e-mail newsletter. You'll see not only our Film Friday discount of the week, but also what's new and interesting in our main store.
