Victo
1/2-plate Stereo Victo c.1900 image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
The Victo is a folding half-plate (and other sizes[1]) field camera made by Houghton from about 1898.[2] It was introduced as a fairly basic camera, but features were added to later models, including triple extension from 1908 (so that the cameras are thereafter the Triple Victo), a good range of movements, and automatic locking of the front and rear standards as the camera was unfolded.[2] Early models are equipped with a Thornton-Pickard roller shutter; Wood and Brass shows an example from around 1900;[3] This was replaced in about 1911 with Houghton's own shutter.[2]
Stereo models of the camera were made.[4]
Examples seen (on the websites cited here) have Rapid Rectilinear and Busch Rapid Symmetrical lenses. Historic Camera states (information apparently taken from a 1909 catalogue) that symmetrical lenses by Beck, Ensign or Busch (presumably Rapid Rectilinears) or Aldis Anastigmats were available.[5]
1/4-plate Victo 1898 image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
1/2-plate Triple Victo c.1914 image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ Triple Victo said to be postcard (5½x3½-inch) size, sold at auction by Christie's of London in July 2001; no picture.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 1911 Triple Victo (rebadged by Youdall of Leeds), with Ensign shutter giving speeds 1/15 - 1/150 second, plus 'T', and 9-inch f/8 Rapid Rectilinear; also notes about the development of the Victo series of cameras; at Early Photography.
- ↑ 1900 Victo at Wood and Brass.
- ↑ Stereo Triple Victo at Wood and Brass.
- ↑ Tropical Victo at Historic Camera; picture and text reproduced from a catalogue of 1909.
Links
- Other Victo cameras at Wood and Brass:
- Triple Victo with front-mounted roller shutter; the notes date the camera to about 1900, though Early Photography (cited above) states that triple extension was added in 1911.
- 1914 Tropical Victo with teak rather than mahogany body, and improved leather and jointing.
- Cameras sold at auction by Bonhams of London:
- Triple Victo with Thornton-Pickard shutter and Busch f/8 Rapid Symmetrical lens, sold in May 2011.
- Tropical Victo with f/6 No. 2 Ensign anastigmat, sold in October 2003; no roller shutter, so this may have been front-mounted.