Need help: 5x7 wooden camera~

[pierre506]

Got a 5x7 wooden camera, but lacking of the brand, and some metal parts.
Need to identify it, and find more pictures of such kind of camera.
I wanna refinish it.
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[Steven Tribe]

Very nice!

There are quite a lot of features I recognise:

- "window" type mounting of the Ground Glass.
- "over-dimensioned" wetplate holder with massive handle.
- brass fitments on rear door.

I would have said this was early 1890's. I don't think that sliding backs were common before this date. Certainly, it looks a lot like an 30x30cm (effectively 30x24cm) studio camera I have from this period. There were a lot of no-name cameras around at this time - before the centralisation of production with brand names. Could have been made anywhere. I think you are going to be lucky (as regards identification!) if it is American as their early cameras are better known than their European counterparts.

I assume the plate holder is made for both vertical and horizontal positions.

[pierre506]

Thank you, dear Steven,
The holders are made for horizontal position.
There's standard 5x7 between the 2 holders.
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The insertion way of the rear group is very interesting.
Just like a sliding door from up to down direction.
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And it also has a small adapter in the viewing window.
The size is about 2.5x3.6in.
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[Steven Tribe]

The adapter is for Carte de Visite images (tin types?).

Earlier than 1890.

You need someone who has more specific knowledge of these early cameras.

[pierre506]

The adapter is for Carte de Visite images (tin types?).

Earlier than 1890.

You need someone who has more specific knowledge of these early cameras.


It seems too difficult to find the familiar camera.
The refinishing works had been delayed.