What Camera is this?

[andrewglennmiller]

I live in a remote location but finally stumbled upon a camera nearby enough but the owner has no information on the camera and curious if you guys could help me out on it. I am wondering if this back can be repositioned horizontally because it looks 5x4. Also if it is a grafflock back? I just know it is a Thornton Pickard Camera of some sort. If anybody has more information on which model it is or anything too would help.

Here are some photographs.

[Jody_S]

I'm going to say that's a Burke & James Ideal View. 5x7 or half plate size. Yes the back rotates, no it's not a Graflok. With a Thornton-Pickard roller-blind shutter, unnecessary if the shutter on the lens works. The Compound shutter the lens is mounted in is far more reliable than the Thornton-Pickard, if it works, but it may require service to get it working. Lens looks to me like a 210mm Xenar or some Tessar design in that focal range.

It looks like a pretty complete kit, if the price is right I would buy it. Just verify the film size, because it's a lot easier to get 5x7 (or 13x18 if you're in Europe) film than half plate.

[andrewglennmiller]

I'm going to say that's a Burke & James Ideal View. 5x7 or half plate size. Yes the back rotates, no it's not a Graflok. With a Thornton-Pickard roller-blind shutter, unnecessary if the shutter on the lens works. The Compound shutter the lens is mounted in is far more reliable than the Thornton-Pickard, if it works, but it may require service to get it working. Lens looks to me like a 210mm Xenar or some Tessar design in that focal range.

It looks like a pretty complete kit, if the price is right I would buy it. Just verify the film size, because it's a lot easier to get 5x7 (or 13x18 if you're in Europe) film than half plate.

Thanks for that information. The seller has no information on the camera what so ever, so Ill have to figure out what backplate it carries on my own. He's selling it for 500 cad. I was hoping for a 4x5 but Ill do more research to see if its 5x7 is possible here. The half plates, are they used for wetplates and tintypes? I was looking to get into some wetplates with my 4x5 as well.

You're right about the lens however.

[Two23]

The camera is definitely American, from first part of 19th C. The shutter is a Thornton Pickard and is British. Camera back can definitely change from vertical to horizontal. That's what the two metal spring tabs on the top are for. I'm thinking it's 5x7. One of the reasons I think that is the lens is 210mm, a standard for 5x7. Second reason is the format looks more rectangular than a 4x5. I shoot both 4x5 and 5x7.



Kent in SD

[r.e.]

I'm thinking it's 5x7. One of the reasons I think that is the lens is 210mm, a standard for 5x7.

Elementary, my dear Watson. Holmes would hire you if you're looking to moonlight

[Jody_S]

Thanks for that information. The seller has no information on the camera what so ever, so Ill have to figure out what backplate it carries on my own. He's selling it for 500 cad. I was hoping for a 4x5 but Ill do more research to see if its 5x7 is possible here. The half plates, are they used for wetplates and tintypes? I was looking to get into some wetplates with my 4x5 as well.

You're right about the lens however.

If this is in Canada I'm going to say with about 90% confidence that it's a 5x7. Film is available, and if you shop a bit on Fleabay you'll find a 4x5 reducing back for it. Or one that can be modded to fit with only minor work (sometimes you have to move the pins or shave 1/8" or whatever around the edges to make them fit). $500 isn't a terrible price, assuming it's all in working condition.

[Jody_S]

I should add that that uncoated Xenar is a superb portrait lens, and from the photo it's in excellent condition. I had to do a small repair to mine because the shutter was only firing on 1/200, but anyone with a small screwdriver could have done it. I simply unscrewed the dial that sets the speeds, and reassembled the 3 part in the correct order, properly aligning the first cam. That was it, it's been running strong ever since.

Also, B&J made workhorse cameras, mainly for commercial photographers. I've been using a (more recent) 4x5 for about 15 years now with no issues whatsoever, and I recently bought an 8x10 because I like the design so much. When I say you can buy the 4x5 reducing back on the 'bay, I'm not saying that these are in any way standardized; they aren't. The dimensions of the film holder are (by the time this camera was made, anyway), so you can buy a back from a different camera, and you can almost always find a way to make it fit. Because the camera sizes are so close to one another, but the placement of the retaining pins can be different, etc. Anyone with even basic woodworking skills can usually pull it off.