Dry Plate

The introduction of commercially manufactured dry plates in 1880, consisted of a glass plate coated with a light sensitive gelatinous emulsion which changed the photographic industry. Cameras could now be fitted with quick-changing plates, and as the speed of the plates increased, the shutters became necessary to control faster exposures, which allowed cameras to be handheld.

The two brass parts stamped “L.Dowe, Maker.” are the only way to identify this large wooden dry-plate camera. The mahogany Box camera may look simple but it was very well designed and constructed. The camera was fitted with a periscopic lens from R. D. Gray of New York. The spring-powered guillotine type shutter could be set to different speeds by placing the spring into one of the seven different notches available, accessed through the hinged door on the front of the camera. The paddle you can see on the front of the camera was used to protect both the taking and finder lenses when not in use.

Box cameraca, 1880 L. Dowe, San Francisco, California.

William H Walker & Company’s adverting slogan for the Walker’s Pocket Camera was “Photography made easy for everybody”. Although it was highly unlikely to have fit into any pocket, the ease of use was its greatest asset. The camera was sold with a double holder for the2 ¾ x 3 ¼ inch plates for $10. The Rochester, New York firm were one of few camera firms making parts to a standard dimensions meaning they were interchangeable between units. The “American System” method meant that costs were cut and profits increased.

Walker’s Pocket Camera ca. 1881William H Walker & Company, Rochester, New York.

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A Brief History of Cameras

The construction of the shown Instantograph was highly effective but prevent the camera from sitting level on a flat surface. Thus in 1886 the camera was redesigned as a folding model. The rotary shutter mounted onto the front provided various speeds by adjusting the spring tension. There was also a knob at the rear that as used to focus the camera. Over 150,000 Instantographs were manufactured, selling at £22.

Instantograph ca. 1882J. Lancaster & Son, Birmingham, England.

Marion & Company’s Patent Academy cameras made the process of loading and changing plates easier than ever before. This was due to gelatin plate replacing the wet-collodion process, which meant that it was possible to hold a quantity of plates, eliminating the need to remove each one after exposure. This mahogany model held twelve 4 ¼ x 3 ¼ inch plates. Rotating the brass knob on the right, moved the tray into position. Once the framing and focus were accomplished, the shutter was tripped and plate was exposed. This process could be repeated twelve times.

Patent Academy Camera No.4 ca. 1885Marion & co., London, England.

American Optical Division, Scovil Manufacturing Company, New York. It wasn’t easy for cameras in the nineteenth century to take landscape and portrait images, however E. & H. T. Anthony Company invented a solution to the problem with the Flammang’s Revolving Back Patent Camera. The camera’s assembly meant that it could rotate from horizontal to vertical. This 11 x 14 inch camera was priced at $70 in the Scovill catalogue. The rack-and-pinion mechanism was used to achieve focus, with all metal parts being made of brass.

Flammang’s Revolving Back Patent Camera ca. 1885

This mahogany box camera used the common 9 x 12 cm dry plate, which featured twelve plates. The hinged panel hid the exposure controls. The brass pointer on the side of the box adjusted the focus of the lens. Like most other dry-plate magazine cameras, the loading and unloading of media was all done in a darkroom. However when the Le Sphinx camera was introduced the demand plate-cameras was on the decline due to the appearance of roll-film cameras.

Le Sphinx ca. 1900 Guilleminot Roux & Cie, Paris, France.