Information and discussion on all aspects of British photographic history
Hello,
I am currently restoring this fantastic tailboard camera, previously held by a museum. as technical minded as I am I have little information to aid me on this camera, due to lack of publication on the use and operation of this camera.
Does anyone out there know where I could find any user guides to this camera?
Regards
Gareth
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Hi Gareth,
it doesn’t look too different to the Lancaster Instantograph, one of which I restored from a wreck - broken wood/bellows of dust - a few years back. I’ve never seen a user guide for Lancaster cameras but I do know how they work in some detail (many people will). I have a complete file of pictures showing the dismantling, cleaning, restoration and reassembly of the Instantograph. I will happily answer any questions you may have on anything to do with your restoration (if I can!) and you are welcome to view my photos too.
I have also restored a Gundlach Manhattan Criterion View 1/2 plate and a Century Grand “hand and stand” back to working condition, the former was used for wet plate by its new owner at least until recently.
Send me a private email if you like gajchris@gmail.com
Regards from (locked down) Scotland,
Gordon
Some pictures
I've been collecting a long time and have never seen user guides for these older field view cameras. However, all view cameras pretty much operate the same regardless of age. FWIW, I've shot everything from subminiature to 11 x 14 inch large format.
Regards.
Rob
In my library, I found a publication by W.J. Lancaster, F.C.S. - "How to be a "Successful Amateur Photographer" - no date. It has an illustrated listing for The "International Camera". Hopefully this helps.
Regards.
Rob
Thank you very much Gordon,
This is encouraging and will email you regarding your process.
Gordon Christie said:
Hi Gareth,
it doesn’t look too different to the Lancaster Instantograph, one of which I restored from a wreck - broken wood/bellows of dust - a few years back. I’ve never seen a user guide for Lancaster cameras but I do know how they work in some detail (many people will). I have a complete file of pictures showing the dismantling, cleaning, restoration and reassembly of the Instantograph. I will happily answer any questions you may have on anything to do with your restoration (if I can!) and you are welcome to view my photos too.
I have also restored a Gundlach Manhattan Criterion View 1/2 plate and a Century Grand “hand and stand” back to working condition, the former was used for wet plate by its new owner at least until recently.
Send me a private email if you like gajchris@gmail.com
Regards from (locked down) Scotland,
Gordon
Thank you Rob,
This is a great resources for my studies and sheds some light on Lancaster's use of publications. Perhaps like in its name I should seek out a copy of the patent for this camera.
Gareth
Rob Niederman said:
In my library, I found a publication by W.J. Lancaster, F.C.S. - "How to be a "Successful Amateur Photographer" - no date. It has an illustrated listing for The "International Camera". Hopefully this helps.
Regards.
Rob
Centre for British Photography
Victoria and Albert Museum's photography collection
National Science and Media Museum
RPS Journal 1853-2012 online and searchable
Photographic History Research Centre, Leicester
Birkbeck History and Theory of Photography Research Centre
William Henry Fox Talbot Catalogue Raisonné
British Photography. The Hyman Collection
The Press Photo History Project Mapping the photo agencies and photographers of Fleet Street and the UK
The correspondence of William Henry Fox Talbot
Historic England Archive
UAL Photography and Photography and the Archive Research Centre
Royal Photographic Society's Historical Group
www.londonstereo.com London Stereoscopic Company / T. R. Williams
www.earlyphotography.co.uk British camera makers and companies
Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock.
National Portrait Gallery, London
http://www.freewebs.com/jb3d/
Alfred Seaman and the Photographic Convention
Frederick Scott Archer
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