Perfect Omnigraph - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Perfect Omnigraph

c. 1893

J. Lancaster & Son

Birmingham

England

Image of Perfect Omnigraph

Lens:
f10, single achromat, iris diaphragm scaled f10, f20, f30.

Shutter:
Lancaster See-Saw, two-blade guillotine, pneumatic release (bulb), self-capping.

Construction:
Leather covered wood body.

Format:
6, 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates held in a transfer box.

Attributes:
Two reflecting view-finders.

With:
Transfer box with 2 double sided plate carriers.

The Perfect Omnigraph was an improved form of the Superior and Ordinary models. The Perfect was a focusing model and had two finders. The Superior had only a single finder and lacked focusing adjustment. The Superior had a better lens than the Ordinary.

Some attempt at disguise is present on the Perfect; a leather band runs across the top of the camera under the handle and is also carried down the front and back giving the appearance of a bag or case. In use the transfer box is inserted and its draw slide removed. This moves a plate, held in a frame, into the exposure position. A tambour shutter, in the camera, is slid to cover the rear of the plate. After exposure the changing box is reversed and the plate is deposited into the other side of the box.

The Omnigraph continued in production after 1900 but its appearance was greatly altered. The price was £2.0.0.

References & Notes:
BP 18167/1889 (shutter). BJA 1892, p. 397. BJA 1894, p. 446. BJA 1898, p. 458. BJA 1900, p. 458. PA 1891, pp. 325, 457, cii, ci.


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