Plate holders for Daguerreotypes

I am interested in trying my hand at Becquerel developed Daguerreotypes and I was wondering if anyone here with any experiences with these could give me some advice...what kind of film/plate holders would be best to hold the plate? I know that there is some way to adapt modern film holders for the purpose and in "Coming Into Focus" John Barnier recommends older glass-plate type holders. He doesn't specify what type, however. The older book-style plate holders would seem the easiest to load (provided they fit the camera), but I have no experience. Any ideas?

Also, I have heard that using a small format to practice on is an economical idea and I know that some have even gone as small as 35mm. Since iodine vapors are highly corrosive to metal, would the sensitized plate also be capable of corroding a modern camera if placed inside?

Thanks very much.

Paul,

Glass plate holders are relatively easy to purchase on eBay, but finding ones that will fit your camera and have the correct depth is another story. Premo-type will not fit without significant alteration. Graphic plate-holders (not the slotted sort, the regular ones) can be found in 5x7 occasionally and work well. The Linhof 4x5, 9x12, or 13x18 film/plate holders with the spring loaded base plate are by far the best, but are are expensive and hard to find. These are what I use. Another option might be to buy an older camera complete with the book-style holders (maybe a Russian 13x18?). Another viable option is to adapt a Grafmatic. In any case, unless you want to make your plates large, you will have to make a reducer. Wood or cardboard work fine.

I started out with 1/4 plate (3.25"x4.25"), which was perfect. 35mm seems to be more trouble than its worth, and to have them plated (there is usually a minimum charge of $100-$150) economically will be difficult. I haven't had problems with corrosion from fumes coming off plates, but would not want to risk a nice metal camera. Wood is pretty resistant to iodine or bromine fumes.

Feel free to pm me if you have more questions.

jason

Metal holders in 9x12, 10x15 and 13x18cm are quite common, but come in very many different types. Some of them can be use in a "modern" camera by fitting them in an adapter. I discovered these exist only when I got some of them in a box of other miscellaneous parts.

I have also unexpectedly aquired two 18x24cm plate holders, wooden, for "modern" 8x10" cameras.

And the already mentioned Linhof Universal holders "mit Auswerfer". They may not even have to be very expensive - mine have all been cheaper than modern (used) holders in the same size.

I also use my Linhof 9x12 holders as they push the plate right into focus, like Jason mentioned. I've seen them at quite reasonable prices on eBay.

btw Jason, do you have any comments or suggestions about the iodine vapour images I added to the previous dags thread? (It's currently on page 3

Stefan,

The colors look about right, although pinker than the deep violet I am used to. How long was then iodine sitting there? The tray also looks fine, the same depth as I generally use. I am not really sure what to tell you other than perhaps the problem may be in your polish? Sorry not to have a good answer for you.

jason

DimDim said:

I also use my Linhof 9x12 holders as they push the plate right into focus, like Jason mentioned. I've seen them at quite reasonable prices on eBay.

btw Jason, do you have any comments or suggestions about the iodine vapour images I added to the previous dags thread? (It's currently on page 3

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No problem, one day I'll find out.
That's the sport with daguerreotypes, isn't it?

DimDim said:

... That's the sport with daguerreotypes, isn't it?

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Indeed it is; all future daguerreotypists should take this warning to heart!