Lancaster Instantograph folding field camera
J. Lancaster & Son
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1882 - 1886
Materials
Wood, Brass, Glass, Paper
Measurements
180 x 240 x 195 mm (set up for use)
Place of origin
Birmingham
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524687.1
Summary
A Lancaster Instantograph half-plate size folding field camera, 1882 model, with detachable base plate that can screw onto the bottom or side of the camera body to allow landscape or portrait photographs to be taken. It has a detachable Lancaster lens, with f10-30 variable aperture, and detachable Lancaster rotary shutter which screws onto the front of the lens. Position of the lens is adjustable by sliding the lens plate in two directions. The camera is wooden, with a hinged ground glass rear plate, black paper bellows, and brass fittings, and the lens and shutter are of brass. Markings; "J. Lancaster & Son, Birmingham" and "Instantograph" on the front plate; "J. Lancaster & Son's Patent, Birm'm" engraved on the lens. "Lancaster's Patent" engraved on the shutter. One of the screws holding the baseplate, and the shutter tensioning band/spring, are missing
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986
Makers and roles
J. Lancaster & Son , manufacturer