Hmm..what have i bought?

[Davec101]

I bought a half plate camera from a fair on sunday and was just wondering who made it and what type of lens it has on it? aperture markings go from f8-f64. The seller said that it was turn of the century and thats about it. I am going to try and get it converted to wetplate.

many thanks

[Ian Grant]

I have it's baby brother, but missing a crucial part

Great looking camera, you did well.

Ian

[Davec101]

I have it's baby brother, but missing a crucial part

Great looking camera, you did well.

Ian

LOL....I am sure you could get yours looking like mine with a bit of help, the main bits are there and i can see a bit of dust on it that just needs a quick brush off

Cant wait to get it converted to wet plate, i was thinking of using star cameras, anyone recently used them?

[edp]

Is it one of these? It has a very distinctive round lensboard:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/si...C645.html#C645

I've got one of these that's begging to see some scenery but I've got to mend its plate holders first:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/si...C178.html#C178

[edp]

I am going to try and get it converted to wetplate.

You'll get get chemical stains all over it!

[Ian Grant]

I think your right, Dave's camera may be a Lizars, mine is more likely a Watson.

Ian

[Davec101]

Is it one of these? It has a very distinctive round lensboard:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/si...C645.html#C645

I've got one of these that's begging to see some scenery but I've got to mend its plate holders first:

http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/si...C178.html#C178

Brilliant that definately is it, many thanks. Its says that the lens is f8, c.8 ¾" Beck Rapid Rectilinear, iris diaphragm to f64, is that any good? what does 8¾ equate to in medium format lens terms?

[Ian Grant]

The lens is between 210 and 240mm, it should be OK, particularly when stopped down. You can use a Thornton Pickard shutter, they were designed to either fit between lens & camera or be used on the front of the lens.

Ian

[Davec101]

The lens is between 210 and 240mm, it should be OK, particularly when stopped down. You can use a Thornton Pickard shutter, they were designed to either fit between lens & camera or be used on the front of the lens.

Ian

Thanks Ian, is it like a standard lens then for half plate?

[Ian Grant]

Yes, standard lenses on older plate camera tended to be slightly longer than what we'd call standard now, so that 1/4 plate camera I posted the image of has a 6" (150mm) lens, and the early 12" (300mm) Wray I use is marked 8"x5".

Ian