If you buy after clicking affiliate links on this site we might receive a commission from companies such as eBay, Amazon etc This does not affect the price you pay.
If you buy after clicking affiliate links on this site we might receive a commission from companies such as eBay, Amazon etc This does not affect the price you pay.
Click here to see similar items on eBay, and to buy.
FRENCH MID-19TH CENTURY COLLODION WET PLATE CAMERA PLUS PETZVAL LENSThis is a French studio collodion wet-plate tailboard camera of unknown make. It is complete with a Petzval lens, also of unknown make, although almost certainly original to the camera. The camera is well made of walnut, with dovetail joints, and is quite large, being 30.5cm high, 27cm wide, and 44cm long when fully deployed.The bellows are of the rare accordion construction, which I understand places the cameras date at around the 1860s. Given the age, the bellows are in good condition. It may be light tight, but I cant guarantee that.Also unusually, the rear standard has a tilt mechanism controlled by a rack and pinion, with separate locking knob, on the upper right-hand side of the rear standard.Focussing is achieved with a rack and pinion (plus locking knob) on the base-board operating on the rear standard. The Petzval lens then provides a more precise adjustment of focus. The lens is equipped to take Waterhouse stops, of which none is available, although there is a lens cap. The ground glass focussing screen is intact (16.5cm square) and looks original to me. There is no dark slide.At some point in the past there was some woodworm in the camera (see photos). There was no evidence of a recent woodworm problem when I received the camera, but I have treated it with spray and anti-woodworm polish all the same.This camera was almost certainly used for studio based portraiture. It would clearly make a very fine display piece, but I cant claim that it could be brought back into use.
If you buy after clicking affiliate links on this site we might receive a commission from companies such as eBay, Amazon etc This does not affect the price you pay.
Click here to buy, and to see similar items on eBay
Category: Cameras and Photography:Vintage Photography:Vintage Cameras:Folding Cameras
Location: Swansea