Posted 9 years ago
Hawl
(8 items)
Does anyone know more about this camera? Builder Martin/Paris? I only have the picture. What is the platesize, year, supposed price etc. Thank you in advance.
Martin Paris? | ||
| Wood Cameras65 of 283 |  |  |
Martin Paris? | ||
| Wood Cameras65 of 283 | | |
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Posted 9 years ago
Hawl
(8 items)
Does anyone know more about this camera? Builder Martin/Paris? I only have the picture. What is the platesize, year, supposed price etc. Thank you in advance.
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This camera is built in a style we collectors refer to as Chambre De Voyage (French for "field camera"). It is a generic reference for a common design of field view camera sold in France from the 1890s to the 1930s: Also known as a "Continental - styled View Camera" or simply "Continental View."
Size cannot be determined from the picture. Formats can be smaller than 9 x 12 cm and get quite large. The only way to know is to measure the ground glass or plate holder. Additionally, there is a ‘roller-blind’ shutter mounted between the lens and board. Not rare or unusual but still cool because the lens can be changed.
Anyhow ...
Popular on the European continent, the majority of these cameras had the same basic features ranging from simple to elaborate. The Chambre De Voyage is mainly a tailboard camera employing a sliding wooden panel to lock the bed (which can be seen on your camera). Although straight forward in design, there were many variations with features such as full rack and pinion focusing, slotted-keyed mounting holes, fine focusing, interchangeable lens boards, shifting front standard, and rotating bellows about the front lens collar.
The basic story, as told to me by another collector, is that nearly all of these cameras were made in the Alsace region of France-Germany by cabinet makers who would turn them out during their off-season to keep the shops going and labor employed. Most were nameless but some had name-plates usually of the store, retailer or distributor -- rarely any big names.
Occasionally a name-brand maker (e.g. Derogy) would produce a better quality version for people who liked this type of camera and wanted to spend more. Wood was whatever grew nearby, usually adequate quality but not great. Workmanship was competent but not great.
The name “Martin” does not appear in my camera references library. This doesn’t mean it’s rare or important; it just implies that the camera was probably made by one of the many anonymous builders and then labeled by a jobber (i.e. store).
thank you rniederman for the information.