Brin's Patent Camera - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Brin's Patent Camera

1891

Image of Brin's Patent Camera

Lens:
c. f3, 1" meniscus, fixed aperture.

Shutter:
Single-blade gravity, single speed.

Construction:
Brass body, ebony handle.

Format:
1" diameter plates held in single metal slides

Focusing:
Fixed.

Serial Number:
646 .

With:
1 single metal slide.

The Brin is a miniature camera taking 1" diameter plates that could also be used as a viewer by means of a lens attached to the back of the camera. The camera consists of a central chamber to which is attached a wooden handle. On the front of this chamber is mounted a cone the front of which carries a simple lens and shutter. The rear of the chamber has a slot for the dark-slide. Hinged to the back of the chamber is the mounting for the magnifier for when the camera is used as a viewer. The magnifier lens is mounted in a draw tube for focusing and has a focal length of 1 ¼" giving about 8x magnification. On the top of the camera a small view-finder can be mounted. The shutter remains open as long as pressure is applied to the trigger.

More commonly the Brin is fitted with a hinged cap shutter which is held open against a spring.

Provisional British Patent 17143 was issued on 8 October 1891 but was not granted.

References & Notes:
BP 17143/1891. BP 6013/1892. BJA 1892, p. 840.
The patent applications are in the name of Arthur Brin at an address in Twickenham, possibly the same person as in Brin's Oxygen.

Illustrations:
Auer, History, p.109. Similar shutter as this example. Sci. Mus. Cat. p.23. Vintage Cat. No. 9.

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