Old Photo Items - Needing Information: I have several things that were in an old photography studio that I purchased a number of years ago and were put in storage. Recently I...

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

I have several things that were in an old photography studio that I purchased a number of years ago and were put in storage. Recently I rediscovered them and am not sure exactly what I have and definitely have no idea how they were used. There were several cameras that were in the old studio but a Century 7and an Eastman Kodak 8x10 View Camera are what I believe go with the items in photos. I am hoping there are some collectors or photographers that used these items and can give me some information. I tried to find out some info on line and made some guesses in file titles according to what I found. All the parts work and are in good condition.

think this goes with Centry 7

(Download)

think this goes with 8x10 Kodak

(Download)

this is sliding back and diaphram holder apart

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

MCHUGH wrote:

I have several things that were in an old photogra... (show quote)

I'm going out on a limb here. But my guess is some of the items might be to change the format size. From 8X10 to 4X5 for example. It might allow multiple shots on a single 8X10 sheet of film.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

pounder35 thanks for your response. I think you are right about the use of the slide and diaphram holder but I don't know if this was to use on the Century 7 or the Kodak 8x10. The way they go together the just does not make sense to me. The ground glass area is for a 5x7 sheet film holder. There are brass bars with holes in them that lock the movement distance of both parts. Unfortunately the previous owner died several years ago and I am sure he was still using these in the late 50's and 60's. If he were still alive he could answer all my questions.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

MCHUGH wrote:

pounder35 thanks for your response. I think you ... (show quote)

Maybe someone else can shed a little more light on the subject. I would think there is some information on the items out in cyberspace. Just a matter of wording a Google search or whatever you use. Maybe even look for a classic camera museum.

donnieb55 Loc: Greensboro, NC

Here is a link I found for the "Folmer Multiple Back" image 2. Well for some reason I am unable to post the link. Just Google Folmer Multiple Back and the first article that pops up should be what I was trying to send you.
Anyway it is possibly from a Century Penny Picture, Folmer Multiple camera. IIt looks the same but I do not see the brass tag on the one in this article. It is on a Graflex website.
I hope this helps.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

pounder35 I have done several searches and found what looked like the first photo showing the two square items. The one on the left I think is called a curtain slide holder and the one on the right is to view what you will be using to focus and compose your photograph. These were with a Century 7 camera outfit. How they are used I have no idea or if all that would be needed is what I have. I will keep looking and hopefully some UHH member can enlighten me. Thanks for taking the time to try and help me.

Mack

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

donnieb55 thanks for the reply. I went to the site and I believe I have the back for the 1937 Century Camera. The reason I think this is the studio I purchased had burned in 1935 after being founded in the 1900's so all their equipment would have had to be replaced after 1935. I have all the diaphrams they show and the closeups look identical to what I have. I think all of the items I have are accessories to the 1937 Century Camera. The camera itself now belongs to a local museum and I used it myself set up with a 4x5 back for a while after purchasing the studio for copy work, but had no reason to try anything else. Now I wish I had tried all its features so the original owner could have given me instructions.

I really appreciate your help with my question.

As always there is someone on this site that can help another photographer out and will take the time to help.

PHIL BITTLE Loc: CALIFORNIA

McHUGH:

The one is for shooting two 5X7 sheet films. You loaded the film in 5X7 holders, focused and composed on the ground glass, then put the holder in the sliding back and pulled the dark slide ... exposed ... replaced the slide, flipped the holder, moved the sliding back to the other side, composed and focused again, put the holder back in, pulled the black slide and made the second exposure. I used 'em with a portrait camera with a pneumatic shutter in 1956. I suppose the 4X5 worked in similar fashion only you had a four way sliding back.

PB

PHIL BITTLE Loc: CALIFORNIA

By the way ... I have an 8X10 Rembrandt portrait camera in the garage with such a sliding back if anyone would like to buy it ... just pay shipping.

PB

Dyeager Loc: Michigan

PHIL BITTLE wrote:

By the way ... I have an 8X10 Rembrandt portrait camera in the garage with such a sliding back if anyone would like to buy it ... just pay shipping.

PB

Would it be usable yet, I would love to give it a try I have a graflex 4x5 my daughter and I still use quite often

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

PHIL BITTLE wrote:

McHUGH: br br The one is for shooting two 5X7 she... (show quote)

PHIL BITTLE thanks for your reply. I knew that someone out there would be knowledgeable about my problem. When I used the 4x5 on the Century 7 it was not sliding but stationary. You composed, focused, put the 4x5 film holder in, removed the slide and exposed. If you wanted another neg of the same thing you used the other side of the of the film holder. The holder I used held two sheets of film. I used the same method with the Speed Graphic that I used often on commercial jobs. Do you know what and how the curtain slide was used.

Mack

PHIL BITTLE Loc: CALIFORNIA

Oh, it's a fixer-upper but yes, it's still functional. It also has the original floor stand. I used it as a copy camera in the late 60's for a new color lab that was opening up. When they set up a brand new copy room I bought the camera for two 5ths of good whiskey.

I had planned to restore it but that's not gonna happen and now I need the room rather than the camera.

PB

PHIL BITTLE Loc: CALIFORNIA

MACK:

If, by "curtain slide" you mean what used to be called a "focal plane shutter" ... I never had any experience with those except that's the way they used to be in 35mm cameras before they went with between-the-lens shutters which were much better ... especially when it came to flash lighting.

The larger focal plane shutters worked with a spring mechanism as I recall but, no ... I believe those went out in the 30's and/or 40's.

PB

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

PHIL BITTLE wrote:

MACK:

If, by "curtain slide" you mean what used to be called a "focal plane shutter" ... I never had any experience with those except that's the way they used to be in 35mm cameras before they went with between-the-lens shutters which were much better ... especially when it came to flash lighting.

The larger focal plane shutters worked with a spring mechanism as I recall but, no ... I believe those went out in the 30's and/or 40's. PB

I've been enjoying this thread!

Not a view camera exactly, but I do remember using a Pacemaker Speed Graphic in the '70s' and it had a focal plane shutter.
Checked with the "All-Knowing" internet and they were made as late as 1970.
I thought they were older too!

Link HERE.

Dyeager Loc: Michigan

PHIL BITTLE wrote:

Oh, it's a fixer-upper but yes, it's still functional. It also has the original floor stand. I used it as a copy camera in the late 60's for a new color lab that was opening up. When they set up a brand new copy room I bought the camera for two 5ths of good whiskey.

I had planned to restore it but that's not gonna happen and now I need the room rather than the camera.

PB

I'll give it a try if your sure you want to get rid of it I'm at 48624 if you can get an idea on shipping. Thanks