Difference between revisions of "Photosphère"

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(+ another example at Westlicht)
(+ note on viewfinders. Some are Watson finders, some also allow eye-level use. Ref to example at Westlicht.)
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*Lens: Cie. Francaise Aplanétique 92mm, or Zeiss Anastigmat 92mm
 
*Lens: Cie. Francaise Aplanétique 92mm, or Zeiss Anastigmat 92mm
 
*Shutter: hemispherical guillotine shutter
 
*Shutter: hemispherical guillotine shutter
*Viewfinder: removable reflex finder (3)
+
*Viewfinder: removable [[Viewfinder|Watson finder]]<ref>The finders on some examples are simply Watson finders (a reflex finder with a ground-glass screen); others also have a screen at the back, allowing eye-level use. The finders have hinged metal covers over the glass. An example of the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=238540&_ssl=off#238540 eye-level/Watson viewfinder] was sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=232078&acat=232078&lang=3 November 2011Westlicht auction].</ref>
  
 
'''Photosphère n°2'''<ref name=W9x12/><ref name=W9x12S>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=59057&_ssl=off#59057 9x12 cm Photosphère], serial no. 1998 in original polished silver finish, with [[Krauss]] lens, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=54427&acat=54427&offset=1&lang=3 May 2006 Westlicht auction].</ref>
 
'''Photosphère n°2'''<ref name=W9x12/><ref name=W9x12S>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=59057&_ssl=off#59057 9x12 cm Photosphère], serial no. 1998 in original polished silver finish, with [[Krauss]] lens, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=54427&acat=54427&offset=1&lang=3 May 2006 Westlicht auction].</ref>

Revision as of 15:08, 8 July 2012

The Photosphère is a plate camera designed for use in tropical regions, and therefore, unusually for the time, made of metal. The body is brass, with a silver-coloured plating, usually very tarnished. The front of the body has an unusual hemispherical shape. Within this, the shutter has a hemispherical blind with a hole, which swings under spring tension to make the exposure. The shutter speed is variable by changing the spring tension. Napoléon Conti patented the camera in 1888. About 4000 pieces (all variants together) were made.

Different plate holders could be attached: double dark-slides made of mahagony[1] or steel, or a twelve-plate metal magazine.[2]

Photosphère n°1

  • Type: plate camera
  • Manufacturer: Compagnie Française de Photographie
  • Year of patent: 1888
  • Films: 8×9cm dry plates
  • Lens: Cie. Francaise Aplanétique 92mm, or Zeiss Anastigmat 92mm
  • Shutter: hemispherical guillotine shutter
  • Viewfinder: removable Watson finder[3]

Photosphère n°2[1][4]

  • Type: plate camera
  • Films: 9×12cm dry plates
  • Lens: Cie. Francaise double symétrique 125mm, or Zeiss Anastigmat 125mm
  • Shutter: hemispherical guillotine shutter, 5 speeds
  • Viewfinder: removable Watson finder

Photosphère n°3[5]

  • Type: roll film camera
  • Films: 13×18cm plates[2] or roll film (48 exposures)
  • Lens: Cie. Francaise double symétrique 165mm, or Zeiss Anastigmat 165mm
  • Shutter: hemispherical guillotine shutter
  • Viewfinder: 2 Watson finders, fitted inside the body, for horizontal and vertical orientation
  • Extra: bubble levels for horizontal and vertical orientation

Photosphère n°4 stéréoscopique[6]

  • Type: plate camera
  • Films: 9x18 cm plates
  • Lens: 2× Cie. Francaise Aplanétique 92mm, or Zeiss Anastigmat 92mm
  • Shutter: 2 simultaneous hemispherical guillotine shutters
  • Viewfinder: removable Watson finder


Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 9x12 cm Photosphère serial no. 723, with wooden stand and two wooden double dark-slides, sold at the November 2008 Westlicht auction.
  2. 2.0 2.1 13x18 cm plate magazine for Photosphère, sold at the June 2008 Westlicht auction.
  3. The finders on some examples are simply Watson finders (a reflex finder with a ground-glass screen); others also have a screen at the back, allowing eye-level use. The finders have hinged metal covers over the glass. An example of the eye-level/Watson viewfinder was sold at the November 2011Westlicht auction.
  4. 9x12 cm Photosphère, serial no. 1998 in original polished silver finish, with Krauss lens, sold at the May 2006 Westlicht auction.
  5. 13x18 cm Photosphère body with 180 mm f/8 Rectilinear lens, sold at the November 2003 Westlicht auctioon.
  6. 9x18 cm stereo Photosphère, serial no. 182, with Extra-Rapid Rectilinear lenses, three wooden double dark-slides and focusing screen, sold at the May 2005 Westlicht auction.


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