New cameras from an estate sale

Drew B. · May 19, 2018

I bought two cameras...both plate units...a 5x7 Scovill and a Rochester 6 1/2 x 8 1/2. The Scovill has one holder and I was able to get some 5x7 film inserts from one of our great apug members. The Rochester has 4 film holders. I'll have to get some litho film to cut down...Now I'll try to get some lenses for these units as well as on leg of the tripod (came with only two)

This is exciting!

Pentode · May 19, 2018

Somebody’s going to have a fun summer!

Nodda Duma · May 19, 2018

Awesome! I just picked up a whole plate size camera to try the format out. Of course, I’ll be shooting dry plates through it once I patch all the holes.

Drew B. · May 19, 2018

[QUOTE="Of course, I’ll be shooting dry plates through it once I patch all the holes.[/QUOTE] I don't even know how to do that...maybe I can read up on it. are you talking glass...or tin...or ? I"m used to shooting 4x5 film and thats easy...

Nodda Duma · May 19, 2018

It’s easy, Drew, just a bit different. Think very slow, fine-grain film but on glass and with a very smooth tonality and a different response to colors than ortho or panchromatic film. It’s the late 19th Century look. Tray develop like you develop prints. See examples I’ve posted in the media section.

jimjm · May 19, 2018

Drew - the 2nd camera you have pictured here actually looks to be a Conley, from 1912 - 1922. As far as I can tell, all the hardware and details match, except for the springs on the back: http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/misc/connew.htm
They both look to be in very good shape, so somebody's taken good care of them.

I have a very similar 5x7 Eastman View #2. Been shooting a lot of film and recently bought some of J. Lane's dry plates to try out. If you have plate holders, you're already set to go. Just the same as shooting slow film. These old wooden cameras are a blast to use and it's nice to know you're using equipment that's been around a century or more. Have fun!

Drew B. · May 19, 2018

Somehow I got the idea that it was a rochester...maybe you're right. Further examination is needed...!

Ian Grant · May 19, 2018

Nodda Duma said:
It’s easy, Drew, just a bit different. Think very slow, fine-grain film but on glass and with a very smooth tonality and a different response to colors than ortho or panchromatic film. It’s the late 19th Century look. Tray develop like you develop prints. See examples I’ve posted in the media section.

Only slow because that's the emulsion choice you decided to use when making your plates, along with the decision to not go for panchromatic.. That's not criticism rather that others could take a different approach, I've used FP4 glass plates and currently have some APX100 7"x5" plates in the darkroom but no plate holders Iy's a format never used outside the US until much more recently with cut film.

I worked as a photo/emulsion chemist for over a decade and personally would go for a faster emulsion and colour sensitise it, but that's my personal thoughts. Perhaps your approach is wiser as you aren't trying to compete with modern films.

Ian

Ian Grant · May 19, 2018

Drew, your Scoville is a typical British style field camera, I have a few well maybe many in differing formats and style. They are always light weight but rigid, your other camera is typically US made a cross between the British Tailboard cameras and German Reisskameras and the British field camera.

Ian

Nodda Duma · May 19, 2018

Right, Ian. It is an entirely intentional choice.

Actually two things: I’m an engineer and thus I am methodically expanding my knowledge and experience — I’m sure you can appreciate this approach. I am starting to explore faster emulsion and sensitization (it’s not hard at all, really), but I find my tine limited by the demands of my day job and coating plates...which is great of course.

Much more importantly, I am filling a hole in photographic processes by offering plates that work and look exactly like the early dry plate days when the technology was being driven primarily by amateurs. That characteristic look was left behind as emulsion technology was commercialized and refined according to the demands of the market. Even Wall lamented the stifling impact of commercial competition to the sharing of research into emulsion development.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to shoot modern emulsion coated on plates. Film is much more convenient. But conversely..we don’t shoot analog for the sake of convenience, do we?

paul ron · May 19, 2018

those are beauties!

have fun with them.

Drew B. · May 20, 2018

jimjm said:
Drew - the 2nd camera you have pictured here actually looks to be a Conley, from 1912 - 1922. As far as I can tell, all the hardware and details match, except for the springs on the back: http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/misc/connew.htm View attachment 200884 View attachment 200885

It appears you are correct. I'm not sure where I got the idea of a Rochester... I just need to find a lens that screws into that front....or is there a lens board that screws in...? Not sure.

Drew B. · May 20, 2018

Ian Grant said:
Drew, your Scoville is a typical British style field camera, I have a few well maybe many in differing formats and style. They are always light weight but rigid, your other camera is typically US made a cross between the British Tailboard cameras and German Reisskameras and the British field camera.

Ian

Whitey told me about it being based on the British style camera...all good info. Maybe I'll bring this to Scotland this fall....

Ian Grant · May 21, 2018

Drew B. said:
Whitey told me about it being based on the British style camera...all good info. Maybe I'll bring this to Scotland this fall....

I don't know why the British style field cameras largely disappeared quite early on in the US, only Deardorff kept making them. American style cameras like the Eastman Kodaks, Agfa Anscos are derived from the German Reissekameras and British Tailboard style camera and aren't as light weight.

Ian

throneking · Dec 5, 2021

have fun with it!

Sirius Glass · Dec 5, 2021

Enjoy! Go shoot film.

ic-racer · Dec 5, 2021

3 years later, wonder if he got either camera working.

Drew B. · Dec 5, 2021

shot the half plate and sold it a while ago. Have not shot the full plate model yet...but next year maybe!

gone · Dec 5, 2021

Maybe the year after that, don't want to rush things.

redrockcoulee · Dec 8, 2021

Drew B. said:
shot the half plate and sold it a while ago. Have not shot the full plate model yet...but next year maybe!

Every year Ilford as their ULF orders and Whole Plate is normally available in FP4 and HP5 plus in some years Delta 100.
I think i get 4 sheets of WP from a 14X17 sheet of Xray film

New cameras from an estate sale

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