Flicker photometer.
Category
Photographic technology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, Metal, Glass, Felt, Ceramic
Measurements
(photometer)150 x 115 x 95 mm
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525290.1
Summary
. The Simmance-Abady Photometer is able to measure the degree of light from two different sources. The Photometer is attached to a flat rectangular base. The base comprises to two pieces of mahogany wood joined at the top by a metal plate which is then attached to the base of the photometer. There is a gap or slot along the base of this unit which is lined in a rather course black felt and on each of the four corners is a brass wheel. On one side there is an oval shaped window and this allows a needle that is attached to the plate at the top to be visible. There are also two screw holes above one wheel. The main photometer is also made of mahogany with brass fittings. It is made of a cube shaped box on which there is a metal plate on the top. Mounted on this plate is a black metal box. On either side are two identical lenses which are cut away and have a target marking. These slot into the box but are removable although are held in place by two metal clips. On the very top is an eyepiece made of brass that is able to turn 360 degrees. On either side of the main box are two metal wheels that can be turned and with resistance will operate a simple gear system inside. This turns a white irregular ceramic disc spins and would bounce or refract the light at different angles. Above one of the side turning wheels is a small brad plate with a small screw in each corner and in a central slot a large screw with a small one above. Where the eyepiece is attached to the black metal box is printed "Simmance-Abady Patent Flicker Photometer 764H".
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.