Hmm..what have i bought?

[Davec101]

I bought a half plate camera from a fair on sunday and was just wondering who made it and what type of lens it has on it? aperture markings go from f8-f64. The seller said that it was turn of the century and thats about it. I am going to try and get it converted to wetplate.

many thanks

 

[Ian Grant]

I have it's baby brother, but missing a crucial part

Great looking camera, you did well.

Ian

 

[Davec101]

I have it's baby brother, but missing a crucial part

Great looking camera, you did well.

Ian

LOL....I am sure you could get yours looking like mine with a bit of help, the main bits are there and i can see a bit of dust on it that just needs a quick brush off

Cant wait to get it converted to wet plate, i was thinking of using star cameras, anyone recently used them?

 

[edp]

Is it one of these? It has a very distinctive round lensboard:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C645.html#C645

I've got one of these that's begging to see some scenery but I've got to mend its plate holders first:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C178.html#C178

 

[edp]

I am going to try and get it converted to wetplate.

You'll get get chemical stains all over it!

 

[Ian Grant]

I think your right, Dave's camera may be a Lizars, mine is more likely a Watson.

Ian

 

[Davec101]

Is it one of these? It has a very distinctive round lensboard:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C645.html#C645

I've got one of these that's begging to see some scenery but I've got to mend its plate holders first:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C178.html#C178

Brilliant that definately is it, many thanks. Its says that the lens is f8, c.8 ¾" Beck Rapid Rectilinear, iris diaphragm to f64, is that any good? what does 8¾ equate to in medium format lens terms?

 

[Ian Grant]

The lens is between 210 and 240mm, it should be OK, particularly when stopped down. You can use a Thornton Pickard shutter, they were designed to either fit between lens & camera or be used on the front of the lens.

Ian

 

[Davec101]

The lens is between 210 and 240mm, it should be OK, particularly when stopped down. You can use a Thornton Pickard shutter, they were designed to either fit between lens & camera or be used on the front of the lens.

Ian

Thanks Ian, is it like a standard lens then for half plate?

 

[Ian Grant]

Yes, standard lenses on older plate camera tended to be slightly longer than what we'd call standard now, so that 1/4 plate camera I posted the image of has a 6" (150mm) lens, and the early 12" (300mm) Wray I use is marked 8"x5".

Ian

 

[pgomena]

Nice setup! A beauty of a find. I've just begun playing with an old rapid rectilinear lens of similar vintage. Mine lacks the internal diaphragm, so you are fortunate to have apertures mine doesn't have. They are fun lenses to play with and have a noticeably different look from modern lenses. Enjoy!

Peter Gomena

 

[Shadowtracker]

Is that a Petzval Lens?

 

[Jeff Kubach]

That is a great camera. Looks like in good shape despite it's age. Good workmanship.

Jeff