W. Watson & Sons full plate camera – Score!

**Cesar Barreto** · 29-Jul-2013, 14:17

Years ago I bought a big 11x14' Watson & Son camera and also have always been amazed about the high level of craftmanship, but unfortunately never managed to have it restored, since it's bellow is completely torn and the back is suited for plates and should be replaced. It wouldn't be so dificult to fix those things if the camera wasn't so gourgeous and if any atempt to keep the same quality wouldn't cost me both legs.

**Andrew Plume** · 4-Aug-2013, 02:14

Originally Posted by phil laycock

All Watson cameras have a serial number on the base. David Purcell (redbellows.co.uk) has been compiling a list of them for some time. If you contact him he can tell you the age of the camera while adding the number his list. Welcome to the glorious world of British Brass & Mahogany. Regards, Phil.

welcome to this forum Phil

best

andrew

**Andrew Plume** · 4-Aug-2013, 02:15

Originally Posted by Steven Tribe

I understand your excitment. Earlyphotography.co.uk is your best source, in spite of the error Ian found, for information and photos about this and the near relatives. The basic design is standard for both UK and Continental (1/2, 1/1 plate and 13x18cm and 18x24cm) Tailboard designs- unless they have the rotating bellows system. Book type holders are unbelievably well-made.

as Steven has said the earlyphotography site is best for a number of reasons, probably way too many, imo it's an outstanding resource

regards

andrew

**Steven Tribe** · 4-Aug-2013, 02:39

Years ago I bought a big 11x14' Watson & Son camera and also have always been amazed about the high level of craftmanship, but unfortunately never managed to have it restored, since it's bellow is completely torn and the back is suited for plates and should be replaced. It wouldn't be so dificult to fix those things if the camera wasn't so gourgeous and if any atempt to keep the same quality wouldn't cost me both legs.

Dear Cesar!
This is a very poor excuse, unless you are lacking any plate holders! They can be converted easily to take modern sheet film - and you can choose your own format - 11x14 or less, of course.
I think this kind of "locking screws" at the top of the front standards are mostly on cameras designed to be used as process/copy cameras and are perhaps from the 1880's rather than later. But the lack of movements will not detract from real use for many subjects.

**Andrew Plume** · 4-Aug-2013, 02:57

Originally Posted by Cesar Barreto

Years ago I bought a big 11x14' Watson & Son camera and also have always been amazed about the high level of craftmanship, but unfortunately never managed to have it restored, since it's bellow is completely torn and the back is suited for plates and should be replaced. It wouldn't be so dificult to fix those things if the camera wasn't so gourgeous and if any atempt to keep the same quality wouldn't cost me both legs.

Hi Cesar

from what I can see, the bellows do not seem to be a complete write off................

you can easily patch up the holes with some good quality black duck tape

good luck and regards

andrew

**Cesar Barreto** · 4-Aug-2013, 05:14

Hi, Steve.

Unfortunately, living in Brazil makes some sort of things almost prohibitive, not just for taxes, but also for bureaucracy at customs. Richard Ritter, for instance, asked for $350 on a new bellows (and yes I'd need to replace as it can be seen on the next picture), which would be charged over 60% at customs, including shipping cost. And things get worst when we break the U$500 barrier and considering the total cost for adapting the back and a pair of 11x14' holders, for sure I'd break the bank for allowing this camera to be back at work again.
And it's also a PITA, as you say, to send things abroad for repairing, since one has to register it first at customs to avoid paying importing taxes twice and those guys are quite unpredictable on how they charge photo equipment. Years ago I bought an 8x10' Kodak D2 camera for some $400 and they didn't even openned the box to charge me over $600 saying it was an "eletronical device". I had to send it back to customs office with a letter explaining the those things didn't exist back at 1890 and also attach a photo showing that it was actually made on wood.

I don't quite agree that this camera could have been designed as process or copy device, since it's so light and a little bit flimsy. It seems to be a great outdoors camera, perfect for a backpack project, at least when I managed to fix those problems.

Thanks for all,

Cesar B.

**IanG** · 4-Aug-2013, 05:34

You can make your own bellows, it's not difficult, material costs are low and so you can experiment first. There's plenty of articles and videos online.

Many make their own backs, there must be a good cabinet maker near you who could make either a conversion piece to accept modern film holders, or a complete new back. I know I can go ito a local cabinet makers here or in Turkey and get any camera part made to my specifications although I prefer to do it myself if I can.

Ian

**Cesar Barreto** · 5-Aug-2013, 05:56

Hi, Ian.
I understand bellows can be made at home and also some wood work, if one has the necessary tools and skil, but as I said some posts ago, I respect the origin and the perfect craftmanship of those cameras and I wouldn't like to maculate it with some sort of improvisation, just to make it fit to field work again.
I guess maybe on Turkey it might be easier to find good cabinet workers, after all you have been doing this for almost 4000 years, while here in Brazil until few centuries ago we were just making bows and arrows. And playing soccer!