Using a press camera for wet plate ?

[Yaeli]

Hello everyone,

So, I finally took the crazy step and bought a large format camera, a Graflex Super Speed Graphic (surprisingly cheap, in my opinion, considering its state, but it's from a very reputable website, so...). For now, I plan to simply use direct positive paper in it, but I have been in love with how wet plate collodion look for a long, long time. I was just wondering if it is possible to do wet plate with such a camera, and if there are precautions I should take if I ever do it (since it's all metal, for example).

Thank you beforehand for your answers,
Sincerely,
Yaeli.

 

[mshchem]

Is this the version with the 22.5 volt battery? I think these batteries are available on Ebay. Not sure about fitment. Pretty camera.

 

[Yaeli]

Is this the version with the 22.5 volt battery? I think these batteries are available on Ebay. Not sure about fitment. Pretty camera.

It is, yes. But the batteries are not necessary for it to work. They are only used for the electric shutter release on the side of the camera. If you use a release cable, you don't need the batteries.

 

[mshchem]

It is, yes. But the batteries are not necessary for it to work. They are only used for the electric shutter release on the side of the camera. If you use a release cable, you don't need the batteries.

Great! Very handsome camera. I use somewhat older top rangefinder Crown Graphic cameras. Wonderful cameras. I would be afraid of getting stains on such a pretty camera. But I would try it. Nice to have a light easy to carry camera!

 

[koraks]

I was just wondering if it is possible to do wet plate with such a camera, and if there are precautions I should take if I ever do it (since it's all metal, for example).

Sure, it'll work.
It's not difficult to avoid spills on the camera when doing wet plate. I've done wet plate with a metal field camera for a while. I think I might have gotten a single drop of silver nitrate on it once. No corrosion or damage.