Bellows Wet-plate Camera

Late 1870s

Lens:

c. 12" rapid rectilinear, slot for Waterhouse stops.

Construction:

Mahogany body, leather square cornered bellows. Dovetail joints.

Format:

6 ½" x 8 ½" wet-collodion plates held in dark-slides.

Focusing:

Bellows. Front standard fits onto the baseboard in two positions giving infinity to 8' and 8' to 4' 6".

Attributes:

Reversing back.

Movements:

Rising front.

With:

Wet-plate dark-slide.

This is a late model wet-plate camera possibly for use in a studio though it is of light weight and may have been used for field work. The font standard clips to the baseboard in two positions and is then fixed by a large screw.

Further Information:

Information on the Wet Collodion Process.

Early Photography