Eclipse Plate Camera

PART OF:
The Kodak Museum Collection
Made:
London
maker:
J F Shew & Co

Eclipse plate camera (ground glass missing), manufactured by J F Shew & Co, Newman Street London. Collapsing, wooden A form plate camera for 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 plates. RR lens, rotating aperture disc. f/ 7.7, 11, 16, 22. Rotary shutter T/I. Helical screw/lever focusing inf. -10'. Two spirit levels.Ground glass missing. Number 4102 (M 1259). Overall (deployed): 160 mm x 206 mm x 210 mm. A wooden collapsing A-form hand camera for half-plates, fitted with a rapid rectilinear lens and a rotary shutter. This camera was one of the first plate cameras designed for hand use. When closed it resembles a flat box. The sides fold out and the lens panel is pulled out and fits into notches in the side panels. The camera is based on a design by G Lowdon, patented on 1st April, 1885 (No 4102).

Details

Category:
Photographic Technology
Collection:
Kodak Collection
Object Number:
1990-5036/488
Materials:
wood (unidentified), bone, yellow metal and brass (copper, zinc alloy)
Measurements:
overall (deployed): 160 mm x 206 mm x 210 mm,
type:
plate camera and folding camera
credit:
The Kodak Collection at the National Media Museum, Bradford