Posted 12 years ago
rniederman
(347 items)
As a collector of really early photographic apparatus, I search intently for pictures of photographers and their cameras, but more pointedly, images with cameras in my collection are desired. Early pictures of photographers and their cameras are hard to find, and I owe Scott (scottvez) many thanks for pointing out this albumen CDV on eBay. Okay ... it was one of those tough decisions ... retail price vs. something rare that hits the core of my collecting. (Collecting won out.)
The camera appearing in this CDV was made by the American Optical Company or Scovill Manufacturing; yet it’s interesting to note that in the 1870s American Optical was a division of Scovill Mfg. So the maker isn’t all that mysterious. The CDV itself was found with other images in an 1877 dated album.
From a camera collecting point of view, the 4-tube camera shown in this CDV is highly coveted and appears to be the 5 x 5 inch version of my 5 x7 inch model. So it’s great to now have a matching image.
One other interesting item of note about the cloth held by the photographer; it probably served two purposes. First, it was a 'dark cloth' to view faint images on the ground glass. Its second purpose was likely to serve as a shutter. After composing the image and loading a wet plate, the cloth would be draped over the lenses, removed briefly, and replaced to make an exposure.
I love photographers with their camera!
Now it is your turn to return the favor and find me some trench art!
scott
The price is only money, Rob. The image is for life!
Thanks blunderbuss2 and mustangtony!
Thanks, Scott! ... I'll look for trench art yet, although I've been reading your posts, there is so much to learn.
Thanks Eric and valentino97!
Thanks, vetraio50!
Thanks, walksoftly!
To accompany the CDV, I added a picture of my larger model of the same 1870s 4-tube wet plate camera. Now to find the matching wooden stand!
Thanks, AmberRose!
Thanks Manikin and nldionne!
Thanks, officialfuel!
Thanks Sean and f64imager!
Thanks, mtg75!
A wonderful example linking photographer with camera - a very lucky find, and your suggestion that the price reached required some tough decision-making doesn't surprise me. Can I assume that this particular camera would have been used to produce 4 CDV-sized images on a suitable glass plate?
Thanks for the note, gluepot! And yes, this camera could produce four (4) CDV sized images with the correct mask in the back.
Thanks, MichiganMillsJr!
Thanks, Brett!
Thanks, Sean!
Thanks, gargoylecollector!
Thanks, Moonstonelover21!
Thanks, Phil!
Thanks, vanskyock24!
Thanks!
Windwalker
BCHMuseum
Thanks!
Thomas
Celiene
I did not know there was such a camera with 4 tube camera. Learned something new and interesting. Thanks my man!
Oh and have you ever exposed a plate with it?
Hi HalloweenGreene ... thanks for the 'love' and comment. Interestingly, I tried acquiring a 36-tube Roberts wet plate view camera a long time ago. That's the most lenses I am aware of on a factory camera.
Here's a CW post of mine of cameras with up to 15 lenses. http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/91814-early-multiple-lens-wood-and-brass-field-c
I have shot pictures with some of these older cameras but not with any of the multi-lens cameras. Someday when I have time I'll try it out. It's more difficult than you think because all the lenses have to be aligned to focus at the same point.