Posted 10 years ago
radiowagon
(1 item)
I keep looking on the internet for some insights into this camera.
I collect radios but have a few old cameras. Always enjoyed photography from an early age.
It is a fixed lens camera with two apertures holes and a wide open setting. It has a lever on the front that turns from I to T. It is directly to the upper left of the lens. It appears that it used to have a leather covering. It has patented on Dec 1898 and Jan 1899 stamped on the inside with no patent numbers. I wish it had them and I would try to identify from the patents. It measures 8 1/4" long x 5 3/4" wide and 6 5/8" high.
At first, I thought this was an early cellophane roll film camera. And maybe it is. But what I thought was a roller is really a spring mechanism that clamps down on two metal plates that ride up and down on a support in the back that the spring mechanism is attached to. I removed one of the plates and took attached picture (see open back of camera). It also has a film advance. There is a knob on the upper rear of one side that when turned changes numbers from 0-12. It operates a little flat rod that presses down one spring metal flat tab and up on two others (shown in the second picture). Maybe film was flat and folded and slid up above these tabs in the top of the camera? Maybe there were plates that would drop down from the top into the bottom? This confuses me.
I also wonder what the small threaded piece that protrudes from the top next to the viewfinder is.
There is a tripod threading in the bottom. There is also what I thought was one on the side opposite the film advance knob. But I cannot identify any threads in it.
The camera shutter mechanism appears to be missing a spring to retract the shutter hole. If anyone has any idea on where to get one and on replacement leather let me know. I would love to restore.
I like to know how things work and love to see man's creative design thoughts. If anyone can identify this camera or how it works, please let me know. I would be delighted. I am also interested in the I to T switch.
The camera shutter mechanism appears to be missing a spring to retract the shutter hole.
This looks like a Magazine Cyclone No.4 or No.5 camera made by the Western Camera Mfg. Co. (Chicago, IL). The later 1899 patent date indicates it was made after the time when Western became of Rochester Optical & Camera Co. And yes, it would have been covered in black pebbled leather. The small threaded post near the top viewfinder held an angled leather strap that attached to the rear post.
The "I" and "T" letters are for the shutter and stand for 'instantaneous' and 'time.' "Instantaneous" made sub one-second shutter exposures. "Time" ("T" setting) kept the shutter open until a second push of the shutter button.
Much appreciated information. I can now google Magazine Cyclone and come up with some pictures and info. Now I understand how it works inside. It must be a #4 as the film plates would be 3 1/4 x 4 1/4".
I doubt it would be worth the time to recover with leather plus it is missing one or more springs for the shutter and the front strap nut. Are there companies that sell parts for old cameras? I am used to rebuilding vintage radios so not versed in old camera component acquisition.
I agree that it isn't worth the time and effort to restore this camera. In truly excellent / operational condition it has a value of about $20 - $35. And unlike radios, there isn't anyone who sells parts for more commonplace, non-historic apparatus. Collectors who restore cameras typically wait for another model to appear (i.e. eBay) and then mash them together. Even after restoring, the value will be less than an equivalent example in original condition. Yet there are a few collectors who do restorations for the fun of it.
You've been a big help.
I always lik stock and not custom. There is always that urge to fix something. But need to draw the line sometimes. Thanks for your help.