Look what I just bought?

[moggi1964]

Good to know you've got your priorities right!

 

[Tel]

Thanks to this thread I have broken my "no more view camera projects" vow. Awaiting delivery of a parcel from Pacific Rim Camera containing a somewhat hacked up Eastman Empire View 5x7. I think I have all the missing parts in my odds-and-ends bin....

 

[moggi1964]

Thanks to this thread I have broken my "no more view camera projects" vow. Awaiting delivery of a parcel from Pacific Rim Camera containing a somewhat hacked up Eastman Empire View 5x7. I think I have all the missing parts in my odds-and-ends bin....

It's only one more

Looking forward to seeing the project.

 

[Tel]

It'll be a while.....lots of work to do

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Looks a bit like this one too.

An R Clarke Half Plate Mahogany Field Camera, 1880-1890, with unmarked f/8 brass lens, body, G-VG, lens, G, front element loose; Marked to top 'R. Clark, 31, Mosley Street, Newcastle'. Very little is known about R.Clark and it is not even certain if he was a maker or a retailer.

Image courtesy of thesaleroom.com

R Clarke Half PLate

• moggi1964
• Dec 4, 2021
• 1

Comparable (lower end - because lack of movements) camera's made by mostly unknown factories were sold by a number of retailers, like Perken, Son & Rayment (although they might have built them) or Butcher & Sons:
should still work well for taking pictures and nice to start with.
https://picclick.co.uk/Antique-Mahogany-Camera-W-Butcher-Sons-184384926033.html

one by Butcher

one by Perken:

 

[moggi1964]

So mine arrived but just on the day we moved house (yesterday) so it'll be a few more days before I can take some more pictures of it. I gave it a quick once over and there wasn't any indication of maker so I think you might be right Ron, it's one of the 'generic' ones.

Thanks for the input everyone, I'll be back when the boxes are emptied and the ibuprofen has done its job

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

The bellows appears to be in decent shape, although the corners may have pin holes. Easily remedied, though. Nice score. Share images, please. Would love to see how that old lens renders light.

 

[moggi1964]

Found it! I'll post some images tomorrow.

Can anyone recommend reading on using this type of camera? I enjoy physical media (the media formally known as 'Books') but online is fine.

Ta!

 

[Ian Grant]

Comparable (lower end - because lack of movements) camera's made by mostly unknown factories were sold by a number of retailers, like Perken, Son & Rayment (although they might have built them) or Butcher & Sons:
should still work well for taking pictures and nice to start with.
https://picclick.co.uk/Antique-Mahogany-Camera-W-Butcher-Sons-184384926033.html

This camera was made while William Butcher & Son were still a wholesale company so it may be sold under other names, Also companies like Lonsdale Bros in London sold cameras in kit forms, parts both wood & brass and complete cameras for re-branding, Vevers in Leeds sold all the brass fittings. The parts don't look like any Panerken camera, Louis Gandolfi was working for them for a while. I 'd agree probably an unknown manufacturer.

Ian

 

[moggi1964]

So i have continued the discussion of this camera and all things related to it to here.

I am certain some of you are familiar with the site (I know Ian is ) and I would encourage you to check it out.

Thanks to everyone who contributed on here. I will post some further images here and am happy to get further input too but if you are already following the thread on 5x4 then please contribute there.

 

[moggi1964]

So here are a few images of the camera. I have three DDS one of which has a glass plate image inside. I'll scan it soon when I can find the scanner (still emptying boxes).
If you have any questions please ask away.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

A new bellows it will need. Fun to make!

 

[moggi1964]

A new bellows it will need. Fun to make!

Perhaps your idea of fun is different to mine, Andrew

I was thinking a John Bull repair kit might do the job, especially if you consider them punctures rather than holes

 

[Tel]

Looks like a small animal was chewing on it. But bellows aside, it looks gorgeous. The lens is immaculate. What an excellent score. Suggest you contact Sandeha Lynch re new bellows. http://sandehalynch.com/camerawork/bellows.php

 

[moggi1964]

Looks like a small animal was chewing on it. But bellows aside, it looks gorgeous. The lens is immaculate. What an excellent score. Suggest you contact Sandeha Lynch re new bellows. http://sandehalynch.com/camerawork/bellows.php

Mr Lynch is on my list, the quality of his work is stupendous.

If you thought the bellows was bad, have a look at the bag

 

[moggi1964]

Here is a scan of the glass plate that came with the camera. I think it help up well though it looks like there are specs of fungus/mold maybe?

I can't find my ANR glass right now.

 

[mshchem]

Here is a scan of the glass plate that came with the camera. I think it help up well though it looks like there are specs of fungus/mold maybe?

I can't find my ANR glass right now.

View attachment 294057

That's cool!!

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Err, what did I buy?

View attachment 292281 View attachment 292282 View attachment 292283

Congratulations and have lots of fun.

 

[Tel]

Mr Lynch is on my list, the quality of his work is stupendous.

If you thought the bellows was bad, have a look at the bag

View attachment 294051

Well, it did its job--kept the camera in remarkably good shape.

 

[Tel]

Here is a scan of the glass plate that came with the camera. I think it help up well though it looks like there are specs of fungus/mold maybe?

I can't find my ANR glass right now.

View attachment 294057

That photo is wonderful. How old do you reckon it is?

 

[moggi1964]

Congratulations and have lots of fun.

Thank you.

This will be an experiment in patience. Patience in getting the camera back to good condition and then patience in learning to use it.

I am looking forward to this challenge, I seem to have lost my knack of being patient over the last few years so it is time to rediscover it.

 

[moggi1964]

Well, it did its job--kept the camera in remarkably good shape.

Astonishing really but you are absolutely right. I will have a go at salvaging it. just need to research the best approach. Would be a shame to split them up I think given they have surely been together a long time.

 

[moggi1964]

That photo is wonderful. How old do you reckon it is?

I'm really not sure but I am going to contact the auctioneer and see if I can get them to put the seller (if related to the owner) in touch with me so I can share the image with them. I might get a bit more info that way.