P3D Re: Large format stereo camera

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jon Hjerting wrote:
> I came across a large format stereo camera in an antique shop. There was no
> manufacturers name on it. The lenses were made in Hanover. The glass
> focusing plate was missing. Only one film mounting plate was included. It
> was not in mint condition, but seemed OK. What is an appropriate price for
> this? They were asking 750 dollars. This seems somewhat expensive. Any idea
> what the make could be? Is it difficult to replace the glass plate and to
> get spare film holders?
> 

I'm not an expert on large format stereo cameras, but I'll try and
answer some of your questions.  I assume this camera is a 5x7 camera
with a stereo lens board and septum.

Did the camera come with a glass plate holder or a sheet film holder?
You're going to have a tough time finding glass plates to take
pictures with.  Kodak still makes them, but they are expensive and I
don't konw if they are available in 5x7.  You could have someone make
a filmholder that will fit a plate camera.  I'm pretty sure these were
made for some cameras, but I don't know if they were made for 5x7.

In the January 1999 KEH <URL:http://www.keh.com/> flyer they have two
5x7 stereo cameras.  A Conley Stereoscope Pro 5x7 listed in excellent
condition (except for inoperable shutters) for $465, and a Ernemann
Globus Stereo 5x7 in excellent+ condition for $1035 (the web page
lists it slightly lower).  KEH is known for conservatively under
rating the equipment they sell.  Given these prices for excellent
cameras, I wouldn't pay $750 for a camera without the groundglass
panel.

As a price comparison, I recently bought a Criterion 5x7 camera in
excellent condition (although the bellows is a bit stiff, and I still
haven't checked for leaks) for under $200 at a NYC camera show.  This
camera is not stereo (although given the size and shape of the lens
board an older model might have been), and didn't come with a lens or
lensboard.  I am in the process of converting it to stereo.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
reynolds@xxxxxxxxx              | "Oooh!"
http://www.panix.com/~reynolds  |    -- Dexter and Dee Dee
NAR# 54438                      |       "Dexter's Laboratory"


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