interested in wetplate collodions

[daveandiputra]

Yes, no problems... although if you get the plans before me, can you send me them! I've just bought a little brass rapid symmetrical lens that I'm going to build the camera around, and once I've done a bit more homework into the wetplate holder, I'll share the information with you.

Cheers,
David.

will do david this will be my first time so i think it gonna be a long time before it get done.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Thanks for the answers...

Scott: from what I've seen so far, the wet-plate back has a darkslide, an opening that only holds the plates by the corners, with the plate placed into position from the rear. Presumably there is some form of pressure applied to the plate via a flat spring. Oh, and some additional 'depth' to capture the silver. Does that just about sum up what there is? Or do I need to know more!

Cheers,
David.

That about covers the basics. In modern holders, it's usually a square box with a darkslide in front, a latching hinged door in the back with some kind of spring to put pressure on the photographic plate, and one or more plexiglass inserts with corners to hold the plate. You don't really need a lot of extra depth to capture the silver - while the plate is wet, and it will drip silver nitrate, it's not like you're carrying a soaked paper towel. You'll probably want to keep an old hair towel or tea towel on hand to support the plate holder so it doesn't drip on the floor while you're transporting it from silver bath to camera, and remember to wipe down the plexiglass and the interior of the plate holder between each plate to avoid contamination.

 

[vickersdc]

I've been doing some more looking around, and I now have a pretty good idea of what I want to build - based on some original C19th cameras. The camera will be another sliding box camera, with rise and fall on the front (just like the one I've just finished), and then the camera back will be a slide-in affair so that the wetplate back will slide in at the top after the ground glass has been removed.

Now I just need the time...

 

[vickersdc]

i too are now interested to build my own camera david i got a how to ebook by Jon Grepstad, and now trying it out in sketchup (google 3D app).
I would be interested in your plans for the wet plate holder, if it's ok i want to copy it.

I've sketched out the camera back and nested box (inner) on Google Sketchup if you're interested? I'm just about to start on the actual wetplate holder...

 

[daveandiputra]

I've sketched out the camera back and nested box (inner) on Google Sketchup if you're interested? I'm just about to start on the actual wetplate holder...

of course david can you send it to my email? adninzain(at)gmail(dot)com many thanks..

 

[vickersdc]

It's on it's way right now...

 

[Mark Paschke]

Im very interested in this as well, the process atleast. I have a Century Grand Studio and think this process looks fun as well as not too difficult ( atleast not from youtube videos)

Is this all you would need other than glass and a few darkroom supplies? http://www.bostick-sullivan.com/cart/home.php?cat=368

 

[vickersdc]

Im very interested in this as well, the process atleast. I have a Century Grand Studio and think this process looks fun as well as not too difficult ( atleast not from youtube videos)

Is this all you would need other than glass and a few darkroom supplies? http://www.bostick-sullivan.com/cart/home.php?cat=368

Looks good, but I've not got that far yet - I'm still designing the camera

Remember that you will need to modify an existing darkslide, or build a wetplate holder. And you'll need a holder for the silver nitrate. And the ability to pour, shoot, develop & process in a short time-frame. If you want to find out more, then I suggest looking up http://www.collodion.com and for inspiration take a look at Quinn Jacobson's work.

Cheers,
David.

 

[vickersdc]

Im very interested in this as well, the process atleast. I have a Century Grand Studio and think this process looks fun as well as not too difficult ( atleast not from youtube videos)

Is this all you would need other than glass and a few darkroom supplies? http://www.bostick-sullivan.com/cart/home.php?cat=368

You might find this link interesting too... http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=493