Vintage early 20th Century Camera | ||
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Posted 4 years ago
jmanwarren
(1 item)
Can anyone help me identify the camera seen here? This picture would have been taken between 1900 and 1920. Possibly around 1915. The photographer lived not far from Rochester, so it may be an early Kodak camera. All known surviving glass negatives are dry plates (not wet plates). Hope that helps! Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Great image!
I am an image guy, but don't know the cameras. "rniederman" is a regular poster on here, who can probably help you out.
If possible, can you post a photo of the entire image area and the mount (if it is mounted)?
Appreciate it and again-- GREAT image!
scott
My opinion is the camera was made by the Century Camera Company and dates to roughly 1904 or a couple years later. Century became part of Eastman's company around that time. The stand also looks like it was made by Century for one of its studio cameras.
The camera body style is known as a "long focus" design. This means the back opens up, in addition to the front, to allow extra extension for longer focal length lenses. The lens appears to have a Low Kazoo shutter mounted on its front.
As background, the long focus body variation first appeared in 1897 and was in catalogues through the very early 1900s. Here's my post of an earlier version of the camera shown in the picture: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/156776-reversible-back-premo-rochester-optical?in=rniederman
Overall, nice image.
Thank you so much!
I relooked at the camera and saw a number of construction details that indicate it is a Long Focus Wide Angle Wizard made by the Manhattan Optical Company. It would have a highly polished wood interior, black leather covered body, red leather bellows, and nickel plated hardware. The camera fits the timeline. - Rob
Rniederman, you beat me to it again. Looks more complicated than a cat-scan machine !