A quarter plate camera made by R & J Beck
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1895 - 1900
Materials
Wood, Leather, Brass, Glass
Measurements
200 x 125 x 260 mm
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525648.1
Summary
A quarter plate camera made by R & J Beck, it is similar to the Frena types but the precise model has not been identified. The body is a black box covered with black leather. Focusing is via a knob on the underside which moves the screen and an internal leather bellows. A rear door of the body gives access to the focusing screen. The plates are inserted in frontt of the spring loaded focussing screen. There are seven shutter speeds up to 1/100 sec. but the aperture appears to be fixed. There are two viewfinders (for the two orientations) and two tripod mounts. The hinged top give access for plate loading and it is held closed with a brass clip in the lid. Accesss to the main chamber is covered by a hinged door on which is engraved 'R & J Beck No 519'. This chamber stores two double plate holders. The top has a leather carrying handle.
Provenance
This camera was inherited from W B Tegetmeier and donated to The Fox Talbot Museum by Adam Tegetmeier.