Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Early SLR camera's

In Cameras > Wood Cameras > Show & Tell.
Wood Cameras64 of 283ANTIQUE CAMERA--WHAT TYPE?Martin Paris?
9
Love it
0
Like it

officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
Gracay2004Gracay2004 loves this.
kyratangokyratango loves this.
rniedermanrniederman loves this.
SEAN68SEAN68 loves this.
vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
aghcollectaghcollect loves this.
See 7 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 9 years ago

    Hawl
    (8 items)

    Only yesterday I came aware of the existence of early SLR camera's like the one here. I seldom see this type of camera in collections. Why is it that these early SLR's never became populair?

    logo
    Wood Cameras
    See all
    Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 - Walnut Wood Replacement Cover
    Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 - Walnut Woo...
    $32
    Rare 5x7 Rochester Optical New Model Improved Camera Dry Plate No 2 Lens Nickle
    Rare 5x7 Rochester Optical New Mode...
    $375
    J. Lancaster Le Meritoire Antique Mahogany & Brass Camera, 1889
    J. Lancaster Le Meritoire Antique M...
    $325
    FOLDING CAMERA KODAK # 2 FOLDING POCKET A ANTIQUE CUSTOM CAMPHOR WOOD
    FOLDING CAMERA KODAK # 2 FOLDING PO...
    $170
    logo
    Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 - Walnut Wood Replacement Cover
    Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 - Walnut Woo...
    $32
    See all

    Comments

    1. rniederman rniederman, 9 years ago
      This is a Duplex Ruby Reflex made by Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Co. The image you posted is from an English collector's incredible collection. (Although it appears on the Internet on the collector's website, it is always a courtesy to cite the source of a posted image ... for those who are interested, here is the URL: http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_C414.html)

      To answer your question, this SLR design was extremely popular in the form of a leather covered body pattern offered by the American company Graflex, Inc. Graflex's SLR design was introduced in 1902 and continued into the 1960s with an amazing range of models (including specialized cameras for stereo photography and naturalists). Graflex SLRs were also widely used by reporters and journalists well into the 1920s.

      Exposed wood models, such as the example posted, were marketed as 'tropical' cameras. They were made of teak and special leather; specialized materials chosen for work in humid (tropical) environments that are resistant to rotting, mold and insects. Brass bindings were also used to reinforce corners to prevent warping.

      All-in-all, it's these tropical models made by several English builders are incredibly beautiful, uncommon, and quite collectable.
    2. Hawl, 9 years ago
      thanks again Rob Niederman

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.