Gaumont Block-Notes
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| image by John Nuttall (Image rights) |
The Block-Notes is a strut folding camera for 4.5×6 cm or 6.5×9 cm plates, made by Gaumont in Paris, from about 1904 (the smaller model) and about 1909 (the larger) until 1924.[1] It was available with a fixed-focus f/9 Hermagis anastigmat lens, or with faster lenses including a Tessar (on the example shown here, this is a Krauss-Zeiss lens, i.e. made by E. Krauss of Paris under licence from Zeiss; other similar examples have been seen;[2] however, one example sold at Westlicht is listed as having a CZJ Tessar).[3][4] Some cameras have a focusing mechanism (the knurled wheel on the rear body in the example illustrated); others are fixed-focus. Early Photography shows a fixed-focus example, which is, however, equipped with a ground-glass focusing screen, and two auxiliary close-up lenses.[5]
The lens of its Newton-type viewfinder is in a frame that slides along the lens board when the camera is folded (also covering the lens). The shutter is cocked by pulling the finder frame into its working position. A ground-glass screen can also be fitted. The example illustrated here has an optional plate magazine back fitted; single plate-holders can also be used.[3]
The shutter is a guillotine type, the blade moves under spring tension, with five instantaneous speeds, regulated pneumatically,[5] plus 'B'.
A stereo model, the Block-Notes Stereo was made from about 1904,[5] in sizes for 4.5×10.7 cm and 6×13 cm plates.[6][4]
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| image by John Nuttall (Image rights) |
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).} p338.
- ↑ 4.5×6 cm Block-Notes with 72 mm f/4.5 Krauss-Zeiss Tessar, plate magazine and yellow filter, sold at the December 2009 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 4.5×6 cm Block-Notes with a 7.5 cm f/6.3 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar, with single plate-holders, sold at the May 2009 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 6.5×9 cm Block-Notes with 112 mm f/4.5 Tessar lens, and 6×13 cm Block-Notes Stereo, sold at the November 2003 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 4.5×6 cm Block-Notes with 72 mm f/6.5 Krauss Tessar (with only two aperture stops, not an iris) at Early Photography.
- ↑ 4.5×10.7 cm Block-Notes Stereo with Anastigmat lenses, sold at the May 2011 Westlicht auction.
Links
- Block Notes 6.5×9 and Block Notes 4.5×6 at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr
- French Patent 322894 and British Patent 26068 describing the Block-Notes, at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office. Both patents were applied for in 1902, and granted to Gaumont in 1903. They mention the possibility of a stereo camera, but make no reference to focusing.
