The Nydia was one of a group of similar folding plate cameras produced in the early 1890s through to the mid 1900s, others being the Vesta, Natti, and Cyko, they shared the basic strut arrangement and triangular shape. By the mid 1900s their compactness had been equalled by cameras with folding beds that soon replaced them. In the Nydia's case this was by the Sibyl which appeared in 1906.

Models

1893

This is a strut camera with pleated bellows taking double dark-slides, probably similar to the Adams Vesta. The lens was an f8, 5 ½" Wray with Waterhouse or sliding stops. A pneumatically regulated shutter was fitted. Few references to this model exist and few could have been made. Later N&G advertisements state that emphasis was placed on the Universal range and they were unable to produce the Nydia. Only the quarter-plate size was listed.

1900

The Nydia was re-introduced in 1900, the dark-slides had been replaced by a changing box holding eight pates. The shutter was a non self-capping two-blade guillotine type with pneumatic regulation having speeds of 1/2 - 1/100. This model was available in quarter-plate, 5" x 4", and half-plate sizes. The half-plate was probably available a year later than the others. The normal focusing range was to two yards but at least one example, fitted with a convertible Protar, had double extension.

Self-capping Model

The requirement to push in the changing box sheath before setting the shutter must have caused inconvenience and lost exposures. The shutter was redesigned, still using the two-blade guillotine form but making it self-capping. This shutter was fitted around 1902/03. The sheath of the changing box was made removable. A 9 x 12 cm size was added to those previously available. The shutter speed range was still 1/2 - 1/100 on the quarter-plate and 1/2 - 1/64 on the half-plate. Introduced 1902/03.

Stereo

This was produced in very small numbers. The changing box was for 6, 6 ½" x 4 ¼" plates, 12, 6 ½" x 4 ¼" films or 12, 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates. Single exposures could be taken when loaded with the smaller plates. Models with the old style shutter may have been produced. Introduced c. 1901.

Lenses

Nydia Rapid Rectilinear f8	quarter-plate	1900 - c. 1902
Beck Rapid Rectilinear	quarter-plate	1900 - c. 1902
Ross Symmetrical f8	quarter-plate, half-plate	1900 - c. 1902
Zeiss f6.3 Satz Anastigmat	quarter-plate, half-plate	1900 -
Aldis f7	quarter-plate	1903 -
Ross Homocentric f6.3	quarter-plate, half-plate, stereo	1903 -
Staeble-Werke Anastigmat f6.3	quarter-plate	c. 1911 -
Wray f8		1900 -
Zeiss Tessar f6.3 6 ¾"	5" x 4"

Focal lengths were: quarter-plate - 5 ½"; half-plate 8"; stereo 5 ½". Other lenses would have been fitted to order. Later models had magnalium mounts.

Variations and Accessories

Some fittings that started as optional extras later became standard features.

• Changing Boxes - Early boxes had a non removable ebonite sheath. To make use of the self-capping shutter the sheath was made removable. At around this time the grip of the sheath changed from ebonite to aluminium. Some models have a raised step where the sheath fits into the box. The fittings on the back of the box changed from nickel to black. Some boxes have a calibrated plate to show the swing (tilt) back movement.
  In the quarter-plate size boxes were available in two sizes: one for 8 plates or 12 cut-films (reqiring a different counter) and, from 1904, 12 plates or 24 cut-films. Half-plate boxes took 10 plates, the stereo model took 6 full-size plates, 12 films or 12 quarter-plates.
• Film pack adapter - quarter-plate size only. This consisted of a camera back and bellows. Two versions were produced. One with a fixed adapter the other removable and interchangeable with a focusing screen. c. 1904.
• Plate Adapter - quarter-plate size only. This consisted of a camera back and bellows. Within the back a focusing screen or single metal slide is fitted. When not in use the screen and slides fit into the back. c. 1904.
• Roll-film Holder - quarter-plate and half-plate sizes. This again is a back complete with bellows. An Eastman roll holder was used. c. 1902 - c. 1905.
• Houghton's Envelope Adapter - Although not advertised some exist. It consists of the adapter fitted to a set of bellows. Polished wood finish.
• Swing-front - This was fitted to the half-plate size but was optional on the quarter-plate until the mid 1900s when it was fitted as standard. In conjunction with the swing back a 'rising front' movement is achieved. The movement is calibrated so the same setting could be made to the swing back.
• Levels - Again these were included in the half-plate size. On the quarter-plate 'T' levels were an option. They were fitted on to the changing box. Later levels became part of the view-finder.
• Pneumatic Release - The Nydia was fitted with only a finger release, a small accessory clipped to the side of the front standard allowing a ball and tube to be used.
• Tripod Boards - There was no tripod socket on the camera, an 'L' shaped wooden bracket fixed to the struts and carried a tripod socket.
• Russia Leather Bellows - These were recommended for use when in the tropics.