I've recently been given the opportunity to shoot some images in the Lake District using an Underwood 'Instanto' that belonged to the Abraham Brothers of Keswick - famed for their early climbing and landscape images.
The camera is uses 10x12 glass plates - I'm thinking of using SE1 liquid emulsion from silverprint on glass cut to fit the holderers.
The only lens with the camera is marked '18'
The slide in brass aperture has a hole in that measures 1.7cm
Any one any thoughts or experiences?
Replies
Thanks Alex - that's handy knowledge.
We may yet use Ilford sheet film custom cut if I can figure out a way of holding it in the darkslides.
I'll certainly keep you posted.
Hi Henry
A good place to start regarding using liquid emulsion is the book Silver Gelatine by Martin Reed and Sarah Jones.
The number 18 on the lens may be its focal length in inches, or it may be the number in the series. A standard lens for that format would be about 15 inches. To find the aperture value you divide the diameter of the hole into the focal length. In the case of it being 18" it would be about f26. Will you post some pictures of the project here and an account of your experience? I would be very interested in it.
Good luck
Alex