Difference between revisions of "Frena"
m (typo) |
(+ links; some auction examples and an old journal article. -{stub]. Noted brass fittings of presentation model.) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | |||
'''Frena''' cameras are a range of magazine cameras for sheet film, made by [[Beck]] from about 1893.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p115.</ref> They use special sheet film: the edge of the film is notched, and this is essential to the working of the sheet-changing mechanism. | '''Frena''' cameras are a range of magazine cameras for sheet film, made by [[Beck]] from about 1893.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p115.</ref> They use special sheet film: the edge of the film is notched, and this is essential to the working of the sheet-changing mechanism. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 21: | ||
| − | De-luxe '''Presentation''' models were made in some of the sizes.<ref name=Pres/> These are covered with brown leather. | + | De-luxe '''Presentation''' models were made in some of the sizes.<ref name=Pres/> These are covered with light-brown leather, instead of the normal black, and have lacquered-brass fittings. |
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Links== | ||
| + | * Examples sold at auction: | ||
| + | ** [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10169360 Frena] (original model) serial no. 5506, sold by [http://www.fullersllc.com/index.html Fuller's Fine Art Auctions] on 19 November, 2011 (listing is on the Live Auctioneers site). | ||
| + | ** [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=20130909_1514&inO=470 Frena No. 0] serial no. 15648, sold at the [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.AuctionList?inL=&inC=WLPA&inA=20130909_1514&inWLPAAuctionType=AUCTION 25th Westlicht Photographica Auction] on 22 March 2014 | ||
| + | ** [http://www.christies.com/lotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4378432 Presentation No. 2] serial no. 11715, sold by [http://www.christie's.com Christies] at sale 9665, ''Cameras, Magic Lanterns and Optical Toys'' on 16 November 2004. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Holland, Clive (1899): [https://archive.org/details/jstor-25581482 Holiday work with a 'Frena']. '' The Artist: An Illustrated Monthly Record of Arts, Crafts and Industries (American Edition)'', Volume 26, pp 18-22; a discussion of holiday photography with hand-cameras, praising the Frena as a good amateur camera. Available to view or download in several formats, at the [http://www.archive.org/ Internet Archive]. | ||
Revision as of 14:53, 12 April 2014
Frena cameras are a range of magazine cameras for sheet film, made by Beck from about 1893.[1] They use special sheet film: the edge of the film is notched, and this is essential to the working of the sheet-changing mechanism.
In the original model, as in a falling-plate camera, each sheet is dropped to the bottom of the camera after exposure, by turning a handle on the side forward and back.[2][3] Later models have a different changing mechanism, still relying on notched sheet film, and with exposed sheets being stored at the back of the camera.[2]
The lens on most Frenas is an f/8 Beck Rapid Rectilinear. Some cheaper modes have an f/11 achromat, and an f/6.3 Beck-Steinheil Orthostigmat lens was offered for some models.[4] The lens has adjustable aperture on the better models, achieved by an aperture disc. Focusing is achieved by sets of add-on lenses, each offering a focus range.
The Frenas have sector shutters, like those on many box cameras, but with adjustable sector-width, giving a range of exposure times (from 1/5 to 1/40 second, in the example of the Presentation Frena No. 2).[5]
A by-product of the film-changing mechanism is that the camera can be tilted slightly up, and the film then returned to the vertical using the changing handle (which has a built-in level); this gives the camera rear tilt.[2]
Cameras
- No. 1 (3¼x3¼ inch lantern-silde size; originally simply the Frena, and named the No. 1 after other sizes were added.[2]
- No. 2 (3¼x4¼ inch: quarter plate)
- No. 22 (as the No. 2, but with an f/11 achromat instead of a Rapid Rectilinear.
- No. 3 (4x5 inch)
- No. 0 (2⅝x3½ inch: roughly sixth-plate[3])
- No. 00 (as the No. 0, but with an f/11 achromat.
- No. 10, FOP Frena ('Film Or Plate'[4]
- Frena Max (quarter plate[6]
De-luxe Presentation models were made in some of the sizes.[5] These are covered with light-brown leather, instead of the normal black, and have lacquered-brass fittings.
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p115.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Frena at Early Photography
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Frena cameras at Red Bellows: notes on the camera features and use, and some contemporary advertising.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 FOP Frena at Early Photography.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Presentation Frena No. 2 at Early Photography. Includes notes on other sizes and variations in the cameras.
- ↑ Frena Max, also at Historic Camera.
Links
- Examples sold at auction:
- Frena (original model) serial no. 5506, sold by Fuller's Fine Art Auctions on 19 November, 2011 (listing is on the Live Auctioneers site).
- Frena No. 0 serial no. 15648, sold at the 25th Westlicht Photographica Auction on 22 March 2014
- Presentation No. 2 serial no. 11715, sold by Christies at sale 9665, Cameras, Magic Lanterns and Optical Toys on 16 November 2004.
- Holland, Clive (1899): Holiday work with a 'Frena'. The Artist: An Illustrated Monthly Record of Arts, Crafts and Industries (American Edition), Volume 26, pp 18-22; a discussion of holiday photography with hand-cameras, praising the Frena as a good amateur camera. Available to view or download in several formats, at the Internet Archive.
