Suffering from GAS, can you tell me what this is . . .

[nsurit]

I picked up a Keith Portrait camera in decent shape that does 2 images on a 5 X 7 sheet of film. That part is pretty straight forward. Camera made in late 40's from what I can tell. The lens is a a Bausch & Lomb 10 IN E.F. f4.5 in a Betax No 5 shutter. The shutter speeds go from 1/2 second to 1/50th plus B & T. Both the lens and shutter seem to be in reasonably good condition. Any comments on the lens or camera. The lens looks like there a single element in the front and back. The middle element might be either a single element or two glued together. I'm wondering if this would have been a lens shutter combination from the same period as the camera. Any comments?Bill Barber

[domaz]

10 IN E.F. could be a petzval of some sort if your lucky. Check for more writing on it and how the lens elements are laid out. I think anything that says E.F. is a pretty early design for B&L lenses- but I could be wrong.

[colrehogan]

From my 2002 McKeown's Price Guide for Antique and Classic cameras:

Keith Portrait Camera - circa 1947. 5x7 wooden studio camera. With silver hammertone finish 17" bellows extension. Swing back.

[nsurit]

I saw that in McKeowns, however this one doesn't have a swing back and the metal finish is more of a crinkled brown rather than silver hammertone. The lens/shutter combination I was thinking might predate 1947. Am I off thing something from that era would offer more shutter speeds than 1/2 thru 1/50th? The lens has aperture up to f45 if I remember correctly. The camera is not with me right now. Petzval? I don't think so as there is a front element , a back element and a middle that I think maybe a doublet. Bill Barber

[nsurit]

The shutter is like this one: ebay # 140387853825. I'm wondering the vintage? My lens is a little different. Bill Barber

[nsurit]

Well, not too many responses. Found two cameras on eBay that were in pretty sad shape without lenses. Just bought a couple of 5X7 film holders and some film. Guess I'll sort it out as to what I have and if it is any fun to use. Bill Barber

[jimgalli]

A photo would help. Does it have a series no. like 1C or IIB? Bausch and Lomb made thousands of f4.5 Tessar type lenses and the Betax shutter would be consistent. Do some searches on Mike Disfarmer. He did all of his 1930's - 40's portraits on half frame 5X7 and I believe used a B&L tessar of 12".