Kinegraphe Grand Angle

1887

E. Français

Paris

France

Lens:

c. f15, 12 cm Hermagis wide-angle. Wheel stops. Bayonet lens mount. Serial no. 15355 .

Shutter:

Rotary sector, 4 speeds, spring powered and regulated.

Construction:

Polished wood.

Format:

9 x 12 cm plates held in double dark-slides.

Focusing:

On the lens mount. Scaled 100, 10, 5.

Attributes:

Two large reflecting view-finders.

Notes:

Address on camera back: E. Francais. 3 Rue de Chalet. Paris.

With:

1 plate holder.

Around 1890 many twin-lens reflex cameras were introduced. Although not a new idea this type of camera had not previously proved popular. One of the first of this period was the Kinegraphe.

The finders of this camera are only a quarter of the plate area but are large compared to normal reflecting finders. Apart from the finder the bayonet mount lens which could be stored inside of the camera is novel.

The Kinegraphe was sold in the following sizes: 8 x 9 cm, 9 x 12 cm, 9 x 12 cm Grand Angle, and stereo on 9 x 18 cm or 10 x 18 cm plates.

This example has had the viewing hoods replaced.

References & Notes:

BP 6814/1888. BJA 1890, p. 232. PA 1891, pp. 309, 310, cxxvi. Lothrop, Century, p. 35.

Further Information:

Smith, Antique cameras, p.109.

Early Photography