Help Identifying and Dating 5x7 Camera

[jswillems]

Hello everyone. I've been shooting 35 mm and medium format for a while, and am just starting out in my large format adventure, but very excited about it. Anyways, the other day I was poking around in a consignment shop near where I live and came across this camera. The price was pretty good, and I've always loved vintage cameras, so I decided to pick it up. It was absolutely filthy, looks like it hasn't been opened up and used in years, but other than that seems to be in pretty good shape. Appears to be 5x7. I couldn't find any markings on it at all to indicate who made it or when it was made, so I'm hoping someone here can help me out with that! I did find the mark B 281 stamped in several locations on the base. It came with a Wollensak lens dated August 13, 1912 as well as an undated Kodak viewing lens. Anyways, I'd love to learn more about the history of this camera if I can. I also posted on the the Large Format Photography Forum, but nothing definitive there, so I figured seeing if anyone here had any ideas couldn't hurt. Both Ansco and Burke & James were suggested there. Thanks!

 

[Sirius Glass]

You have a Wollenzak lens.

Check with Scott aka TheFllyingCamera and http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

Enjoy!

 

[shutterfinger]

Burke and James Watson Commercial http://piercevaubel.com/cam/misc/bjwatsoncomm.htm or Portrait http://piercevaubel.com/cam/misc/bjwatson.htm , 1940's.

 

[jswillems]

Thanks! Definitely looks very close to the Watson Portrait, though some of the details are slightly off. The hardware on mine seems a little more rustic, for lack of a better term. So maybe mine is just a bit older than the 40's. Thanks again!

 

[shutterfinger]

Burke & James were the only company to use that style of front standard. The design allows vibration from the shutter to soften the image. A rod between the front and rear standards along the top and clamped firmly reduces the ill effects. You may not notice them until big enlargements are made, fine detail will not be as sharp as it should be. The bellows are in bad shape. There are few catalogs for B&J. A 1951 and 1967 catalog both have a Commercial View and Portrait camera but the rear standards have rise which yours does not but they are otherwise refinements on the design. The number stamped on the parts is a manufacturing/casting number used to keep fitted parts together for proper assembly.

 

[scaringi]

Hello and response

I’ve only posted once before but have not said, “hello.” So, hello. I very much appreciate all the insight, knowledge and humor that is shared in this space.

I believe the camera in question is the RHS Model C. It was my first 5x7 and I used it for years. I’ve never been able to find much information on it. If you do a search for “RHS Model A 4x5” you’ll get some hits and it looks to be the same camera as the 5x7. My camera reached a point where it was in need of some significant restoration work and I opted to invest in a Deardorff V5 instead. I

Paul

 

[shutterfinger]

I stand corrected. This is the first I have heard of this short lived brand. B&J painted theirs Grey and that is about the only difference.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/120296402@N04/sets/72157642308332525/ the article from The New Your Times, January 26, 1941 says it all.

 

[k_jupiter]

I stand corrected. This is the first I have heard of this short lived brand. B&J painted theirs Grey and that is about the only difference.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/120296402@N04/sets/72157642308332525/ the article from The New Your Times, January 26, 1941 says it all.

It sure the heck looks like a B&J Watson to me. Minus the gray but anyone can strip a camera.

tim in san jose

 

[jswillems]

I’ve only posted once before but have not said, “hello.” So, hello. I very much appreciate all the insight, knowledge and humor that is shared in this space.

I believe the camera in question is the RHS Model C. It was my first 5x7 and I used it for years. I’ve never been able to find much information on it. If you do a search for “RHS Model A 4x5” you’ll get some hits and it looks to be the same camera as the 5x7. My camera reached a point where it was in need of some significant restoration work and I opted to invest in a Deardorff V5 instead. I

Paul

Thanks for replying! I would have to agree with you, that certainly looks the same as mine. The only difference I can spot is that mine doesn't have the RHS plate on the side of it. Other than that they look nearly identical. Thanks everyone for your help!