Francia (strut folding)

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Mackenstein made several cameras named La Francia, around 1900. Some of these are jumelle cameras, 6.5x9 cm and 9x12 cm mono models, and 6x13 and 9x18 cm stereo ones.

Others are strut-folding, giving much more compact cameras when folded. They are also simpler, and presumably cheaper cameras. McKeown lists only a 9x12 cm mono camera. The stereo models are in 4.5x10.7 cm and 6x13 cm plate size. An example of the smaller size is shown at Ignomini.com. The lens board is very similar to that of the jumelle-style camera. It has a guillotine shutter, simpler than that on some of Mackenstein's other cameras, with only 'fast' and 'slow' instantaneous shutter speeds, plus 'B' ('Pose'). The sliding control between the lenses is the shutter cocking control, with settings 'F' (Ferme: close), 'O' (Ouvert: open; for viewing with a ground-glass) and 'A' (Arme: cock). Unlike the jumelle model, there is no focusing control. There is front rise, however. The viewfinder is a simple folding frame one.