Can anyone help to identify this camera? It has 3 places where the back locks into place by sliding it into grooves, then the tailboard is adjusted for more accurate focus.
I also think the folding of bellows is unique. Is there a specific name for bellows folded like this? Thanks
It Does resemble Soviet FKD cameras and could have been a Portrait or copy camera from late 1920s to 1930s, or even much later.
The bellows cosmetics reminds me of yours.
French camera from later collodion or early dry plate period since it has a very early type bellows (accordion type); wood - by the look of it - most probably walnut (most early French camera's are made from walnut). Looking at how the frosted glass is mounted, it is likely early dry plate.
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/sto...te-camera-1850
Yes, I think you are correct. Most of camera is intact, but there is no plate holder. And it seems the dimensions are 17x23, so it's slightly larger than what I see online. Do you know of anyone who might have a plate holder that will fit? Thanks
Talking about wet plate cameras.... I also have an unbranded camera in that same style, but with less metal parts. It matches designs I saw in literature that are typical of collodion cameras. It is walnut made. But the bellows is not accordion type. I bought it in Bievres about 20 years ago with a Darlot Cone Centralisateur. It is a half plate camera. Ground glass is square and it slides in place from the top of the camera. I don't have any original plate holder. I adapted a Linhof back on it. I assume it is French and maybe from the 1850 or 60's, is that a good guess or are there any evidences disproving it?
Your example is in much better shape than mine, very nice! I would rather have a square format than the 13x18, just because it is unique. Mine is walnut as well. As I was cleaning the camera the other day, the sunlight hit it at just the right angle and I saw a very faint marking, It's a Durand & Vera. You are correct, apparently it was made in France, and not very many were made. Google turns up almost nothing when searching for Durand & Vera. It also seems the plate holder's outer dimensions are 17x23, which most of the holders from that time period are 16x21. I'm thinking of possible 3D printing a back. But it's going to be a long process to restore it.
typically a camera from the later collodion era; the bellows are probably not original since they have truncated corners. Here are comparable camera's from the same era (although the first one is a bit older since it is a sliding box camera):Originally Posted by lungovw
Talking about wet plate cameras.... I also have an unbranded camera in that same style, but with less metal parts. It matches designs I saw in literature that are typical of collodion cameras. It is walnut made. But the bellows is not accordion type. I bought it in Bievres about 20 years ago with a Darlot Cone Centralisateur. It is a half plate camera. Ground glass is square and it slides in place from the top of the camera. I don't have any original plate holder. I adapted a Linhof back on it. I assume it is French and maybe from the 1850 or 60's, is that a good guess or are there any evidences disproving it?
For the ones without bellows, having sliding box instead, people are asking outrageous prices and oddly enough finding buyers for them! I think I will stay with this one for the sake having a sample from the wet plate era. But I am not myself in the wet plate mood that seems to grow nowadays. I made wood frame to support a Linhof back and with that I can shoot 13x18 cm film or dry plates.
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