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Thread: What is whole/half plate?

  1. #1

    What is whole/half plate?

    Hello all. I've been talking with a seller who says he has whole plate camera with bookform holders. I've seen what they are but I have no idea what the difference is between whole plate, half plate and regular 5x7.

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: What is whole/half plate?

    Typically Whole Plate (aka Full Plate) is 6.5 x 8.5"
    Half Plate is 4.75 x 6.5"

  3. #3
    Dave Karp
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    Re: What is whole/half plate?

    The bookform holders are different than the modern two sided holders we are used to using.

    Additionally, for Whole Plate, there was not a uniform standard for the T distance. The distance from the flap end of the holder to the rib lock can also differ.

    Lots of information on this site regarding the different holder standards.

  4. #4
    8x10, 5x7, 4x5, et al Leigh's Avatar
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    Re: What is whole/half plate?

    Quote Originally Posted by karl french View Post
    Typically Whole Plate (aka Full Plate) is 6.5 x 8.5"
    Half Plate is 4.75 x 6.5"
    Are you sure about that?

    Half of 8.5 is 4.25, not 4.75.

    Conversely, twice 4.75 is 9.5, not 8.5.

    - Leigh
    If you believe you can, or you believe you can't... you're right.

  5. #5

    Join Date
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    Re: What is whole/half plate?

    Yes, I'm sure. There are some minor variations in the dimension of half plate, but the dimensions I listed are the most common. Just because it's Whole and Half doesn't mean the actual dimensions are 1 & 1/2. Just a naming convention.

  6. #6

    Re: What is whole/half plate?

    The original (19th century) half-plate dimensions were 4.25 x 5.5".

    For whatever its worth, I think the reason that neither of the half-plates are half of a whole-plate is to keep the proportions of the shape consistent.

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