| Antique and Classic Camera Blog |
December 14, 2011
Just had a Birthday. Bought a new toy for the collection, an early 4x5 Scovill Tailboard camera; circa 1881-83. The camera has characteristics that vary a bit from the established models of Scovill and while not rare, certainly not common. Paid way too much for it. Had to fend off another very interested party.
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| Image: eBay user MG |
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| Image: eBay user MG |
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For those of you who are interested in Brass and Soft Focus lenses, you'll want to watch the fun and informative videos below by Mr. Eddie Gunks.
Eddie is a professional Wet Plate Photographer whose work can be seen here on his site.
"eddie," is an active and informative forum member on Large Format Photography Forum; Lenses category.
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December 9, 2011
Happy Holidays to one and all. Enjoy the season.
The advertisement below was frequently used by Scovill Manufacturing Company starting in 1880. Over many years of camera research, I have noticed variations of the ad seemingly based on the time of the year or in what periodical it was displayed in. Can you spot the differences in the ads below ?
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Unbelievably, I recently came across a google ebook, Advertising and Selling, Volume 30; Dec. 11, 1920 and low and behold - an article about the artist who created the ad for Scovill ! Talk about the power of the internet... The ad was first published in 1880 by Joseph Addison Richards, who would go on to have quite a career in agency advertising. His story is show below.
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December 4, 2011
Wow, only 3 weeks until Santa. I always feel better about buying things for my collection this time of year with the holidays and my birthday being next week, so I have been actively looking for things to buy and oh my, there have been some beauties on eBay recently.
Two weeks ago, an iconic CC Harrison Globe Lens came up for auction. The Globe Lens is just a classic. It's an important lens in the development of photography and pretty darn cool lookin' to boot. Brought to market in 1860 and patented in the UK, Ocotober 13, 1860 [ patent # 2496 ], the lens sports a US Patent Date of June 17, 1862. Collectors speculate that perhaps 1,000 to - 1,500 Harrison Globe Lenses were made... These are highly coveted lenses for collectors and some users. You can read more about the Harrison Globe Lens here, on my other page.
This example is in fine condition with a great serial # as well; 9001. If the lens has a focal length of 10" as the listed writes, this lens would cover 11x14 format. The lens sold for $ 1,538, which isn't a bad price for one in that condition - especially considering the current "red-hot" market for antique brass lenses.
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| Globe Lens. image Courtesy of Ebay User 2zero2zero |
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| Globe Lens. image Courtesy of Ebay User 2zero2zero |
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| US Patent Drawing Page 1862 |
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| From Photographic Optics by Désiré van Monckhoven 1867 |
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Note above that the largest aperture of the lens if f/36 (and the smallest being f/72).
Many sources on the internet state the Globe Lens is f/30 wide open.
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| Image Courtesy WestLicht Photographica Auctions |
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| Image Courtesy WestLicht Photographica Auctions |
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And then wouldn't you know, 'tis the season, another Globe arrives on eBay ! Currently, there are 2 days left to this auction - see below.
This example is smaller than the lens above and meant to cover whole plate format. Serial number looks to be 1013, which is early in the Globe's production.
At a starting price of $ 2,750.00, not sure he's going to get a bite - but this is a landmark lens worthy of the finest collections.
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| Globe Lens. Image Courtesy of eBay user *optika* |
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| Globe Lens. Image Courtesy of eBay user *optika* |
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............and then last night, a nice, late model Harrison Petzval Lens arrived on eBay. Oh boy, it is the Shopping Season !!
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| ← Make contact to respond to this blog post, ask questions, and/or provide feedback. Thank you.
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November 30, 2011
There is nothing better than finding a great antique or classic collectible with its original box. And while I don't collect Kodak, I can really appreciate the great "art" that is a Brownie box camera's original cardboard outer box. To have survived for so long in such good condition is remarkable.
The example shown sold for $ 255 recently on eBay. The box is for a No. 2 Brownie, circa 1914. The camera was included in the sale, but the camera by itself is worth $ 10.00....
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| Original Box for Kodak Brownie No. 2 Camera. Image Courtesy of Ebay User Sheldys |
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November 26, 2011
A few places of note you should take a look at:
A New Blog: The New Pictorialism
"Here you will find information on my use of soft-focus and Pictorialist lenses, and my techniques for mounting, using, and processing images from these lenses in this very digital world."
Blog: Silverbased
"A blog about photography—specifically, the wonderful, tangible reality of photography using real film and vintage metal cameras. I explore DIY hacks, techie curiosities, and offer appreciations of camera gear that many would consider laughably obsolete."
Blog: Random Camera Blog
"My thoughts and activities in photography, camera collecting, current events, and photographic tips."
Web: Superb Site for historical Leica Equipment
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| c. 1880 Potter 19" Rapid Rectilinear Lens Covering 12"x15" |
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November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving !
As a collector of pre 1900 camera equipment, Blair Camera Company is one of my favorites. When a Blair Billhead ("invoice") was being sold on eBay recently, I had to have it. I am a sucker for the cool graphic designs and appreciate the fact that these fragile objects, made of thin paper, have survived so long.
While I have seen many photographic billheads over the years - Blair examples appear scarce or have been well collected......it seems Rochester Optical has the most examples in circulation. Most pre 1900 photographic related billheads and/or postal covers typically sell in the $25.00 - $100.00 range. Rare, unusual or early pieces can however, fetch much more. I spent $56.50 on this example.
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| 1897 Blair Camera Company Billhead |
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November 20, 2011
If your collecting interest involves the Kodak Retina line of cameras, then David Jentz of the Historical Society for Retina Cameras has some great reading for you. He produces scholarly journals relating to Retina cameras and are a must read for any interested collector.
Click on the Retina Camera below to get to the site and prepare yourself for some great reading.
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| CLICK FOR RETINA SITE |
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Links hosted by the great free camera manual site, butkus.org featuring Kodak Retina literature
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Noovember 18, 2011
I don't recall who emailed me this 1912 Cooke Lens Catalogue. Please contact me so I can give a proper attribution. While there are a few other Cooke Catalogues on http://www.cameraeccentric.com/info.html this one is produced earlier and should be of interest to brass collectors and users.
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| Copyright Cooke Optics Limited |
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November 17, 2011
A few months back, I sold a Leica Dual Range Summicron-M with eyes all with the original box. I thought I would post a few pictures in honor of one of the most "classic" of classic rangefinder lenses ever produced. If you have ever held one in your hand, you know it's like holding a piece of highly engineered, well built jewelry... Focusing that lens is to know fine craftsmanship and build quality. Try one, you'll like one....
Caveat Emptor: I have probably bought, sold, or traded almost twenty Leica 50mm Dual-Range/Rigid/Collapsible Summicron's of over the years and almost every example had internal haze or scratches on the lenses, or both. If you come across a MINT example with no marks and no haze that hasn't been opened up by a repair person - that would be a rare find. The lubricant used on many of these lenses (whale oil derivative, I believe) is positively prone to evaporate over time inside the lens, depositing droplets on the aperture blades, the interior glass and causing haze... the coatings on these lenses, especially the earlier examples, is soft, prone to scratches and prone to coming off with cleaning - especially the interior elements. I am not a Leica Summicron "expert" in terms of repair, but my experiences - including having some examples being cleaned by the "best" in the "Leica Repair" business, have caused more harm in cleaning some of my lenses and have even wiped away internal coatings... I don't think its just bad luck... I think Leica lenses from the 1950;s almost always need a cleaning, and sometimes even a cleaning by someone very competent will not be able to restore the lens to original mint condition. At least, in my experience...
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| Leica Dual Range Summicron-M 50mm Lens |
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| Evolution of the 50mm Summicron |
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Crop of an 1884 Magazine Cover
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MOST WATCHED VINTAGE CAMERAS & LENSES ON EBAY NOW
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