Mystery Camera

jolynned

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I recently bought an 8x10 camera on craigslist. The woman who sold it to me said that her husband had bought it at an auction and there are no markings on the camera itself. The lens is a Kodak and the body is wood.

I have a tiny bit of experience with 4x5 but it's been a few years and it was a Speed Graphic. I'm brand new to all of this.

It's more curiosity than anything. It would be nice to know the specs on it if the information is available somewhere.

Does anyone have a guess?
 

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Jim Noel

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This camera can be found with either Ansco or B&J labels on it. A serviceable camera although heavy and bulky.
 
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jolynned

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Thanks Jim. Unfortunately, there are no labels anywhere on the camera. It looks like had been a label at the top but it has been removed. I'll look at your suggestions though and see if any of their cameras match up to this one.
 

archphoto

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It is a good looking camera, do you have any filmholders with it ?
And a tripod for it ?

If the bellows is light-tight: make some shots with it and see what comes out!

Congrad's !

Peter
 
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jolynned

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Jim, you were right. It's a B&J. A quick google image search was all it took. Thanks for the help!
 
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jolynned

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Peter, I have 14 film holders, a bellows extender thingy and what I believe is a 4x5 back for it as well, along with 4x5 film holders. The camera was checked out by someone who knew LF before she sold it and I guess he said the bellows were light-tight.

The tripod I have is for MF but can hold up to 25 lbs. I don't know if it can handle the 8x10. I guess we'll just have to see.

Thanks!
 

Sirius Glass

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Be sure you have a good strong tripod. I believe that Ed Weston said that there are no good photographs to take that are more than 200 yard [meters] from a car. If someone can find the source for the quotation please let us know!

Enjoy!
Steve
 

Ian Grant

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Once the US Government seized Agfa Ansco in 1941 they stopped all camera production at Bingham, after that the cameras were made elsewhere the hardware changed, it was a different workshop and probably not the same employees.

It's murky but B&J ended up with their LF camera production that's why this particular camera was made with both names.

Ian
 

SuzanneR

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Sirius Glass said:
Be sure you have a good strong tripod. I believe that Ed Weston said that there are no good photographs to take that are more than 200 yard [meters] from a car. If someone can find the source for the quotation please let us know!

Enjoy!
Steve
Click to expand...

You know... I think that might be an Ansel Adams quote.

Cognrats, Jodie... looks like a fun new toy! Hope you'll share some pix!
 

John Jarosz

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I think it was Brett Weston and he was speaking of 8x10 cameras and larger. And I also think the number was 10 feet from the car.

John
 
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