What size is half plate or quarter plate?

MenacingTourist

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I've seen this term used in regards to coverage of older brass lenses as well as descriptions of tin types. The quarter plate tin types seem to be very small.

So, what is the actual size in comparison to modern film sizes?
Yes, I'm looking for an ancient lens and yes my wife knows about it

Alan
ps. I just got a bonus at work and half of it is mine!
 

jimgalli

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Full plate is 6 1/2" X 8 1/2",
1/4 plate is 3 1/4 X 4 1/4"
and half plate is 4 1/4 X 6 1/2 I think.

Have a whole garage full of ancient lenses, come on over.
 
OP
OP

MenacingTourist

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You're really not too far Jim. I've been spending more time on my side jobs than my regular job and I could use some open road and several cd's of traveling music...
 

jimgalli

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I'm home all day tomorrow but then I'm taking my bride camping.
 

JG Motamedi

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jimgalli said:
... half plate is 4 1/4 X 6 1/2...
Click to expand...

To make things complicated, English half-plate dry plates of the early 20th Century were 4.75" x 6.5" while 19th Century half-plates, particularly dags and wet-plate measured 4.25" x 5.5".

Another size which is often mentioned are the Carte de Visite print sizes:
Carte de Visite: 3 1/2" x 2 5/16"
Cabinet: 5 5/8" x 4 1/16"
Boudoir: 8" x 5.25"
Panel: 11.5" x 7"
 

Ole

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JG Motamedi said:
To make things complicated, English half-plate dry plates of the early 20th Century were 4.75" x 6.5" while 19th Century half-plates, particularly dags and wet-plate measured 4.25" x 5.5".
Click to expand...

... while the Germans went straight to the current "metric" sizes (6.5x9, 9x12, 13x18, 18x24, 24x30, 30x40) except for the once fashionable "oddballs" CdV, Kabinett and Postkarte. That makes it a whole lot easier to fit film to old cameras!
 
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