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View Full Version : Are there any 8x10 wet plate camera remakes?



rince
16-Jun-2012, 04:04
Hi,

I am currently looking for an 8x10 camera exclusively for wet-plate work. It will be used for portraits and still lives 95% of the time, so I am really not to concerned about movements.
Yes there are all those marvelous 100+ year old beautiful cameras that would fit, but I was wondering if there are any affordable remakes of those cameras? I seem to be to stupid to find a company selling them.

Thanks for Ny pointers
Dennis

Len Middleton
16-Jun-2012, 05:05
Two from a Google search of "wet plate camera":

http://starcameracompany.com/

http://www.blackartwoodcraft.com/wet-plate-cameras/

No dealings with either company, so no detailed knowledge. I do remember at one time reading that Star Camera will make a wet plate adapter back for an existing camera, so might be a less expensive way of going if you already have one.

eddie
16-Jun-2012, 05:31
Two from a Google search of "wet plate camera":

http://www.blackartwoodcraft.com/wet-plate-cameras/

No dealings with either company, so no detailed knowledge.

fixed it!

there is only one company you wanna deal with and it is black art. do not bother with the other(s). great cameras but there is a considerable wait to get one.

worth the wait.

Jim Noel
16-Jun-2012, 06:32
A lot of WP workers are extremely happy with their cameras, holder, etc, from Star Camera Company.

MDR
16-Jun-2012, 10:22
Eddie what do you have against Ray Morgenweck's Star Camera Company, he seems to produce some very decent cameras.

Dominik

cdholden
16-Jun-2012, 10:50
I've seen several posts of people unhappy with their dealing with Star.
I've never heard of anyone unhappy with their Black Art Woodcraft transactions. I have some of Steve's work here and echo Eddie's sentiments... when you can get results like that, why go anywhere else?

Joe Smigiel
16-Jun-2012, 13:08
What eddie said.

rince
16-Jun-2012, 13:42
Thank you everyone! I really like what I am seeing at blackartwoodcraft. I will send them an email and request a quote.

Kindest regards
Dennis

rince
16-Jun-2012, 13:43
And on a second note, you guys are awesome! The help and advice I am getting on this forum is tremendous! Thank you again!

Len Middleton
17-Jun-2012, 04:27
One of the advantages of asking the question rather than depending upon Google, I guess...

pbryld
17-Jun-2012, 06:31
What's wrong with using your regular camera with a plate holder?

pbryld
17-Jun-2012, 07:00
fixed it!

there is only one company you wanna deal with and it is black art. do not bother with the other(s). great cameras but there is a considerable wait to get one.

worth the wait.

Never heard of that company. To me, their prices seem very reasonable.

Thanks for sharing!

rince
17-Jun-2012, 07:21
What's wrong with using your regular camera with a plate holder?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I just would prefer not doing it. I love my 4x5 and would hate to mess it up with dripping silver nitrate or whatever. Also I don't think I would need all the fancy movements for what I intend to use it for. So I would rather have a sturdy simple camera without any bells and whistles. I would love to use a nice brass lens for this purpose and my Shen Hao seems a little 'flimsy' to hold heavy lenses. And last but not least, I would really like a 8x10 or 5x7 for wet plate, but stay on 4x5 for film. Also I would prefer to keep the camera in the studio and keep my Shen Hao as my walkaround. In general there is of course nothing wrong with using a regular camera with a plate holder.

Joe Smigiel
17-Jun-2012, 13:38
... And last but not least, I would really like a 8x10 or 5x7 for wet plate, but stay on 4x5 for film. Also I would prefer to keep the camera in the studio...


Sounds like a 5x7 Burke and James Rembrandt might be a camera to consider. The front is rigid with no front movements.


By coincidence, eddie had one for sale a few years ago. (http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?54922-FS-5x7-4x5-B-amp-J-Rembrandt-model-II-w-packard-shutter&highlight=Rembrandt). I have one as well and may put it up for sale.

jodyake
28-Jun-2012, 19:54
No need to buy a brand new wet plate camera. (although Steve does great work) you can use any camera to shoot wet plate. try finding a old century studio camera or an 8x10 with a big front standard. All you need then is a plate holder. Take a look at the ones I make.
http://incameraindustries.com/
http://incameraindustries.com/