Help identifying 5x7 field camera

photoguybrodie · Feb 18, 2016

Hello all,

Stumbled across this site during my research to figure out exactly what kind of camera I came across in an antique shop the other day. Unfortunately I have had no luck, so I thought I would post the tag from the shop and see if anyone here can identify it. I do not have a picture of the camera itself, but I can tell you that its a beautiful piece, and I almost bought it on the spot. However, I am not experienced in buying large format cameras like this so I just want to make sure its worth the price they are asking. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

TheFlyingCamera · Feb 18, 2016

It would be helpful also if you could post pictures of the camera itself- oftentimes antiques dealers who are not camera dealers will mis-identify things (such as calling a camera by the name of the lens or shutter manufacturer).

AgX · Feb 18, 2016

I guess something like this one:
http://www.woodandbrass.co.uk/detail.php?cat_num=0143

Wayne · Feb 18, 2016

Just want to make sure you realize its a plate camera, intended for glass plates. I don't own one but the first question I would ask those who do is whether it can be used with regular film holders or only plate holders. I do know that some holders can do both, because I own some of that convertible type. But that's about all I know about plate cameras. If you are hoping to shoot sheet film this might not be the best way to go about it.

photoguybrodie · Feb 18, 2016

Wayne said:
Just want to make sure you realize its a plate camera, intended for glass plates. I don't own one but the first question I would ask those who do is whether it can be used with regular film holders or only plate holders. I do know that some holders can do both, because I own some of that convertible type. But that's about all I know about plate cameras. If you are hoping to shoot sheet film this might not be the best way to go about it.

I understand that. I was never looking at it in hopes of putting it to use. It would be more a collectible for me as I am not quite ready to move into shooting large format. On that note, it looks very much like the one AgX posted. And something tells me that its not worth the $450 they are asking for it, but at least I have something to further my research with now.

Wayne · Feb 18, 2016

Oh. Well if you aren't going to use it $450 is way too much. That kind of money could be much better spent buying me a camera that I would use.

photoguybrodie · Feb 18, 2016

Well, I just wanted to know if it was something unique that I shouldn't have left sitting at the store and might make a good collectors item. Which is why I posted in this sub-forum. Don't get me wrong, I love to find a good working vintage camera as much as the next person, but I also like to buy some to look pretty on the shelf. My impression has been that all of the old plate cameras are very expensive these days. I do want to add one to my collection at some point. Is there a particular type that I should look for that may be a cheaper option for a shelf queen?

winterclock · Mar 8, 2016

The value of cameras like this can often be the lens, if the camera has a petzval lens it may well be worth the money. If it has a wide angle rapid rectilinear not so much.

Help identifying 5x7 field camera

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Help identifying 5x7 field camera

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