Old large format?

drdoak

Just found this old camera in a garage sale up the street. Not sure what I'll do with it yet beyond just getting it cleaned up. In the meantime, does anyone know what it is? I can't find any identifying markings whatsoever. I gather it was used for high school and department store portraits once upon a time.

Thanks!

ziggy53

drdoak wrote:

Just found this old camera in a garage sale up the street. Not sure what I'll do with it yet beyond just getting it cleaned up. In the meantime, does anyone know what it is? I can't find any identifying markings whatsoever. I gather it was used for high school and department store portraits once upon a time.

Thanks!

Your image does not show up until I copy and paste the URL, so you may want to check the settings in your gallery.

Once I was able to look at the image I do believe that it is, or is similar to, a "Gowlandflex" 4" x 5" portrait camera with the reflex finder. If it is one of these it has lost its nameplate.

http://www.petergowland.com/camera/index.html

drdoak

ziggy53 wrote:

Your image does not show up until I copy and paste the URL, so you may want to check the settings in your gallery.

Once I was able to look at the image I do believe that it is, or is similar to, a "Gowlandflex" 4" x 5" portrait camera with the reflex finder. If it is one of these it has lost its nameplate.

http://www.petergowland.com/camera/index.html

FIxed the picture problem... Had external links switched off for some reason.

It does bear a strong resemlance to those cameras, though I don't see any Gowlands in there with a single bellows for both lenses (something I didn't capture in the photo of mine). Were most cameras of this type pretty much identical, or was there distinct variation between brands?

ziggy53

drdoak wrote:

FIxed the picture problem... Had external links switched off for some reason.

It does bear a strong resemlance to those cameras, though I don't see any Gowlands in there with a single bellows for both lenses (something I didn't capture in the photo of mine). Were most cameras of this type pretty much identical, or was there distinct variation between brands?

I honestly don't know. You might contact Gowland and exchange your images and maybe they can help with identification.

drdoak

ziggy53 wrote:

I honestly don't know. You might contact Gowland and exchange your images and maybe they can help with identification.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for your help, I'd be completely lost as to where to even start with this thing!

RogersDA

drdoak wrote:

Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for your help, I'd be completely lost as to where to even start with this thing!

Might even try http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ to ask the question..