goamules
6-Feb-2011, 07:47
I've always liked quarterplates. It's just nice to be able to use a thimble full of collodion and have a silver bath the size of a piece of bread.
Though I now shoot larger cameras, I kept thinking it would be nice to have a dedicated quarterplate camera, with movements. I bought this Gundlach Korona from a friend thinking it was a 4x5. Then I discovered that though the camera was mint, the bellows were not. They turned my darkroom into a planetarium when I put a light inside them to check. I also discovered it wasn't a 4x5, it was a 3 1/4 X 4 1/4. Ok, this would be my quarterplate wetplate camera.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5420007448_829e0f589d.jpg
I spent the day painting all the holes in the bellows with fabric paint. The Gundlach Turner Reich in the Optimo shutter would work, but I wanted a Petzval. Lo and behold, a little 1870s Darlot 4" gem lens fit the Optimo flange!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5419403531_230a5a917e.jpg
I just happen to have a 3x4 Graflex Film Pack adapter I've been holding onto for this occasion. These make great little bookform plate holders, and can be bought for a dollar to two.
And voila! A tiny wetplate camera. First trial plate (still lightleaks from pinholes on the bottom):
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5420077344_d515b23f7a.jpg
Though I now shoot larger cameras, I kept thinking it would be nice to have a dedicated quarterplate camera, with movements. I bought this Gundlach Korona from a friend thinking it was a 4x5. Then I discovered that though the camera was mint, the bellows were not. They turned my darkroom into a planetarium when I put a light inside them to check. I also discovered it wasn't a 4x5, it was a 3 1/4 X 4 1/4. Ok, this would be my quarterplate wetplate camera.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5420007448_829e0f589d.jpg
I spent the day painting all the holes in the bellows with fabric paint. The Gundlach Turner Reich in the Optimo shutter would work, but I wanted a Petzval. Lo and behold, a little 1870s Darlot 4" gem lens fit the Optimo flange!
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5138/5419403531_230a5a917e.jpg
I just happen to have a 3x4 Graflex Film Pack adapter I've been holding onto for this occasion. These make great little bookform plate holders, and can be bought for a dollar to two.
And voila! A tiny wetplate camera. First trial plate (still lightleaks from pinholes on the bottom):
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5259/5420077344_d515b23f7a.jpg