Difference between revisions of "Reisekamera"

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|image= http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5567/15132293999_ce67280a76_n_d.jpg
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|image_text= [[Stegemann]] Reisekamera
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A '''Reisekamera''' or '''chambre de voyage''' (German and French for 'travel camera') is a wooden bellows plate camera. Reisekameras are a subgroup of the 19th century wooden [[field camera]]s. Most collectors associate the term with a distinct kind of [[tailboard camera]] architecture, but some of these travel cameras had front panel focusing instead of the tailboard cameras' rear focusing. Originally Reisekameras were intended for professionals, as tools for applications outside the studio, for portraiture, architectural work or documentation away from the studio, in gardens, homes or museums. Most [[photographer]]s didn't own a big carriage, and needed a light collapsible camera for field work. They also had to carry a tripod and, in the early years, a dark tent, chemicals and trays for preparation and development of the plates for the [[wet-collodion]] process. Of course this camera conception became more and more popular among amateurs, especially after [[dry plates]] became available.
  
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'''INTRODUCTION'''
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The Reisekamera, believed to have originated in central Europe, influenced by, and to a high degree perfected in Germany from 1860<ref>Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"</ref>, reached its peak popularity between 1895 and 1914. The common tailboard variant distinguishes itself from other [[tailboard camera]]s most notably by the hinged baseboard upon which the [[ground glass back]] can be moved and fixed, and which is the same width as the camera's front and back. This type was also known as '''continental view''' (meaning "continental type of [[view camera]]").
  
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The '''Reisekamera''' (a tailboard camera) is a wooden bellows plate camera, by some collectors regarded as a distinct type of the [[view camera]], unlike the much lighter and more flexible [[field camera]], but not as cumbersome as the [[studio camera]]. The Reisekamera was quite popular in Europe for several decades around 1900. The shape is distinctly square having equally sized front- and rear-panels, both attached to a equally wide base-board. Front and back is connected by an almost non-tapering bellows. The front panel carries the lens plate and the rear panel takes the [[film plates|plate holder]] which is interchangeable with a [[Ground glass back|focusing screen back]]. Focusing is accomplished by sliding the rear panel along the base plate while observing the image on the screen, usually accomplished by a rack and pinion mechanism. The camera folds flat, after the rear panel is brought forward to the lens panel, by folding the hinged base board up covering the rear panel.
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The Reisekamera was quite popular in Europe for several decades around 1900. Centres of its production were Görlitz, [[Dresden]], Vienna and the French-German Alsace region. It was produced until the 1980s (Soviet [[FKD view cameras]]). The camera type stayed in use for purposes like school class photos.
  
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The Reisekamera, believed to have originated in central Europe, influenced by, and to a high degree perfected in Germany from 1860 (re.:Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"), reached its peak popularity between 1895 and 1914. Originally the portable version of the contemporary Atelier camera, it was collapsible, yet not small, and intended for assignments outside the studio, for architectural work or documentation away from the studio, in homes or museums, but not made for travelling tourists, a feature at first not a practical proposition in photography. The Reisekamera was specifically built for a variety of [[Plate Sizes|plate sizes]], most common are the 18×24cm and 13×18cm sizes.
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2297117110/in/pool-camerawiki
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The Reisekamera is, regardless of the maker, quite similarly built and of almost standardised design. Generally there are a number of limited movements: at the back, the film plate may be tilted and turned slightly to adjust perspective, and at the front the lens plate may slide vertically and horizontally, without the bellows obstructing the light from the lens reaching the film, due to the non-tapering bellows, as opposed to the field camera where the whole front is free to move as required, including the narrow throated bellows. Usually the base plate is extendible for close-up work and to accommodate various focal length lenses, the double extension feature. The tailboard construction is particularly favourable using wide-angle lenses and for close-up work since no part of the camera protrudes past the front panel. Although the camera, when new, rarely was supplied with a shutter, the lens cap usually sufficed, some acquired an add-on shutter of one sort or another. Still, some of the most sophisticated Reisekameras were built with an integral focal plane shutter, a huge mechanism incorporated in the rear panel, only the brass controls visible on either side.
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| image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2297117110_0aa2f84e93_m.jpg
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| image_align=right
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When using the camera a [[Ground glass back|black cloth]] is a helpful and often necessary requisite to keep stray light out while observing the image on the focusing screen. When the picture is composed and focused, the focusing screen is replaced by the plate holder. The lens is covered with its cap, and the dark slide removed from the plate holder. When all is clear, the cap is removed for the required exposure time and replaced. If an auxiliary shutter is present, it may replace the function of the lens cap. The dark slide is replaced, and the plate holder is removed and brought to the darkroom for development and copying.
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| image_text=collapsed camera on [[tripod]]
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| image_by=Mario Groleau
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'''EXPANDED ARTICLE'''  (Including the full line-up of Reisekamera variants.)
 
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The '''Reisekamera''' or '''Chambre de Voyage''' (German and French for "'''travel camera'''") or '''Continental View''' (meaning "Continental type of [[view camera]]") is a wooden bellows plate camera. Reisekameras are a subgroup of the 19th century wooden [[field camera]]s. Most collectors associate [[tailboard camera]] architecture with the term Reisekamera, but some of these travel cameras had front panel focusing instead of the tailboard cameras' rear focusing. The Reisekamera was quite popular in Europe for several decades around 1900, and produced until the middle of the 20th century (Soviet FKD camera). The camera type stayed in use at least until the 1970s for purposes like school class photos.
 
  
 
In 1892 Josef Maria Eder, professor for photo chemistry at the University of Vienna, described the Reisekamera<ref>Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"</ref>:
 
In 1892 Josef Maria Eder, professor for photo chemistry at the University of Vienna, described the Reisekamera<ref>Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"</ref>:
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# bellows extension at least double as long as the longest side of the maximum image format
 
# bellows extension at least double as long as the longest side of the maximum image format
 
# usabilty also with short bellows extension and wide angle lens
 
# usabilty also with short bellows extension and wide angle lens
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Tiltable backs and lensboards were described by Eder as extra features of expensive models.
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Tiltable backs and lens boards were described by Eder as extra features of expensive models. His definition of the Reisekamera fits for the common tailboard variant as well as for the front focusing models.
  
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Later a lens board allowing vertical and horizontal shifts plus a tiltable camera back were features of typical tailboard Reisekameras.
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Later a lens plate allowing vertical and horizontal shifts plus a tiltable camera back were features of typical tailboard Reisekameras.
  
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===The common tailboard variant===
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Reisekameras are view cameras. Thus their rear panel takes the [[plate|plate holder]] which is interchangeable with a [[Ground glass back|focusing screen back]]. Some even have a rotatable back. [[Adapters]] for film packs or even for [[roll film]] were available for the cameras, as well as attachable plate magazines. The cameras' light-tight [[bellows]] were made of leather or good calico<ref>Dr. E. Vogels Taschenbuch der Photographie (1910)</ref>.
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The common variant of the Reisekamera is not comparable with the modern extremely flexible light field cameras. Some more wood was used for its design, giving it more weight and making it resembling contemporary atelier cameras. But unlike [[studio camera]]s the travel cameras were foldable for portability.
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===The common tailboard Reisekamera===
 
{{Flickr image
 
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/3711059204/in/pool-camerapedia/
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/3729914815/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3711059204_dd7887a354.jpg
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3729914815_5d5435739b_m.jpg
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| image_align=left
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| image_align=right
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| image_text=a typical Reisekamera
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| image_text=M - matte screen<br/>B - Bellows<br/>O - lens<br/>T - rack and pinion knurl<br/>S - tripod<br/>
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}}{{br}}
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| scan_by= Uwe Kulick
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| image_rights= with permission
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}}
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The common variant of the Reisekamera is not comparable with the modern extremely flexible light field cameras. Some more wood was used for its design, giving it more weight and making it resembling contemporary atelier cameras. But unlike [[studio camera]]s the travel cameras are foldable for portability.
 
{{Flickr image
 
{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/3711059758/in/pool-camerapedia/
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/3711059204/in/pool-camerawiki/
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2632/3711059758_bae1b86c57_m.jpg
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| image=http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5019/5487344602_03642056b7_m.jpg
 
| image_align=left
 
| image_align=left
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| image_text=<small>[[film plates|film plate]] holders<br/>brass [[lens]]<br/>base with tripod thread</small>
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| image_text=a Reisekamera with<br/>accessory shutter upon lens<br/>
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| scan_by= Uwe Kulick
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| image_rights=  with permission
 
}}
 
}}
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The shape of the Reisekamera's common tailboard form is distinctly square, having equally sized front- and rear-panels, both attached to an equally wide base-board. Either front and back is connected by a non-tapering bellows, or lens plate and back are connected by a narrow-throated tapering bellows. The front panel carries the movable lens plate and the tiltable rear panel takes the [[film plates|plate holder]] which is interchangeable with a focusing screen. Focusing is carried out by sliding the rear panel along the base plate while observing the image on the screen, usually supported by a rack and pinion mechanism. The camera folds flat, after the rear panel is brought forward to the lens panel, by folding the hinged base board up covering the rear panel.
+
The shape of the Reisekamera's common tailboard form is distinctly square, having equally sized front- and rear-panels, both attached to an equally wide baseboard. Either front and back is connected by a non-tapering bellows, or lens plate and back are connected by a narrow-throated tapering bellows. The front panel carries the movable lens plate and the tiltable rear panel takes the [[plate|plate holder]] which is interchangeable with a (often hinged) focusing screen. Focusing is carried out by sliding the rear panel along the base plate while observing the image on the screen, usually supported by a rack and pinion mechanism. The camera folds flat, after the rear panel is brought forward to the lens panel, by folding the hinged baseboard up covering the rear panel.
  
−
The Reisekamera, believed to have originated in central Europe, influenced by, and to a high degree perfected in Germany from 1860<ref>Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"</ref>, reached its peak popularity between 1895 and 1914. The general design distinguishes itself from other [[tailboard camera]]s most notably by the hinged baseboard upon which the [[ground glass back]] can be moved and fixed, and which is equally wide as the camera.
+
This common tailboard variant of the Reisekamera may have been derived from a very early collapsible camera design by camera maker Judge<ref>R.C.Smith: "Antique Cameras"</ref> or similar early constructions of portable cameras. It was collapsible just for portability, not for maximum compactness. It was intended as tool for outside the studio, as camera for the advanced amateur or as start equipment for photography students. It was available in different sizes. Many travel cameras were made for the common [[Plate Sizes|plate sizes]] 18x24cm and 13x18cm, but smaller and bigger sizes were available. Student cameras were made for the smaller 9x12cm plate format. The cameras required a sturdy [[tripod]] since they were not for snapshot photography like [[hand camera]]s. Thus they were all but ideal for travelers, voyageurs, Reisende, all but what their names travel camera, chambre de voyage and Reisekamera were promising.
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/zorki_2007/3485666817/in/pool-camerapedia
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{{Flickr_image
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| image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3485666817_a5e4a99855_m.jpg
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotosnostock/7348062046/in/pool-camerawiki/
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| image_align=right
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|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7348062046_a4e4d4ceba_m.jpg
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| image_text=a travel camera's front<br/>with [[Rodenstock]] lens
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= travel camera and plate-holder ready for journey
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|image_by= Jürgen Schütz
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
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This common tailboard variant of the Reisekamera may have been derived from a very early collapsible camera design by camera maker Judge<ref>R.C.Smith: "Antique Cameras"</ref>. It was collapsible just for portability, not for maximum compactness. It was intended as tool for outside the studio, as camera for the advanced amateur or as start equipment for photography students. It was available in different sizes. Many travel cameras were made for the common [[Plate Sizes|plate sizes]] 18x24cm and 13x18cm, but smaller and bigger sizes were available. Student cameras were made for the smaller 9x12cm plate format. The cameras required a sturdy tripod since they were not for snapshot photography like [[hand camera]]s. Thus they were all but ideal for travelers, voyageurs, Reisende, all but what their names travel camera, chambre de voyage and Reisekamera were promising.
 
  
−
The Reisekamera's tailboard variant is, regardless of the maker, quite similarly built and of almost standardised design. Generally there are a number of limited movements: at the back, the film plate may be tilted and turned slightly to adjust perspective, and at the front the lens plate may slide vertically and horizontally, without the bellows obstructing the light from the lens reaching the film, due to a non-tapering bellows, or due a narrow throated bellows that is attached to the lens board. The Reisekamera's lens board may be mounted horizontally shiftable into another vertically shiftable board. Usually the base plate is extendible for close-up work and to accommodate [[Lens#Telephoto|tele lens]]es, the double extension feature. The tailboard construction is particularly favourable using wide-angle lenses and for close-up work since no part of the camera protrudes past the front panel.
+
The Reisekamera's tailboard variant is, regardless of the maker, quite similarly built and of almost standardised design. Generally there are a number of limited movements: at the back, the film plate may be tilted and turned slightly to adjust perspective. The camera's lens plate may be mounted horizontally shiftable into another vertically shiftable board. If the bellows is fixed to the front, the lens plate may slide vertically and horizontally, without the bellows obstructing the light from the lens reaching the film, due to the non-tapering bellows, as opposed to common field cameras where the whole front is free to move as required, including the bellows. If the Reisekamera has a tapering bellows, the bellows' narrow front end follows the lens plate movements.
  
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Although the camera, when new, rarely was supplied with a shutter, the lens cap usually sufficed, some acquired an add-on shutter of one sort or another. Still, some of the most sophisticated Reisekameras were built with an integral focal plane shutter, a huge mechanism incorporated in the rear panel, only the brass controls visible on either side. Some of the less sophisticated models were equipped with a simple pneumatically remote-controlled [[shutter]] behind the lens mount. Simple gravity-controlled guillotine shutters were common<ref>Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"</ref>.
+
Usually the baseboard is extendible for close-up work and to accommodate various focal length lenses, the double extension feature. The tailboard construction is particularly favourable using wide-angle lenses and for close-up work since no part of the camera protrudes past the front panel. Many Reisekameras have a spirit level built into the baseboard.
  
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When using the camera a [[Ground glass back|black cloth]] is a helpful and often necessary requisite to keep stray light out while observing the image on the focusing screen. The focusing screen is replaced by the plate holder when the picture is composed and focused. The lens is capped with its cap or an auxiliary shutter device, and the dark slide removed from the plate holder. When all is clear, the cap is removed for the required exposure time and replaced, or the shutter is opened for the required exposure time. The dark slide replaced and the plate holder removed and brought to the darkroom for development and copying.
+
Although the camera, when new, rarely was supplied with a shutter, the lens cap usually sufficed, some acquired an add-on shutter of one sort or another. Still, some of the most sophisticated Reisekameras were built with an integral [[focal plane shutter]], a huge mechanism incorporated in the rear panel, only the brass controls visible on either side. Some of the less sophisticated models are equipped with a simple built-in pneumatically remote-controlled [[shutter]] behind the lens mount. Simple gravity-controlled guillotine shutters were common accessories<ref>Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"</ref>. Accessory [[leaf shutter]]s were also available. A common camera upgrade was to mount a rouleau shutter between lens and lens plate.
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{|class=plainlinks
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2296321477/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2296321477_88b5595cb2_m.jpg]
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2297117316/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2297117316_0488319fa3_m.jpg]
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mario_groleau/2297117462/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3148/2297117462_d35c372f49_m.jpg]
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||side view and [[lens board]] movements <br><small>images by {{image author|Mario Groleau}} </small>{{non-commercial}}
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|}
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When using the camera a [[Ground glass back|black cloth]] is a helpful and often necessary requisite to keep stray light out while observing the image on the focusing screen. When the picture is composed and focused, the focusing screen is replaced by the plate holder. The lens is covered with its cap, and the dark slide removed from the plate holder. When all is clear, the cap is removed for the required exposure time and replaced. If an auxiliary shutter is present, it may replace the function of the lens cap. The dark slide is replaced, and the plate holder is removed and brought to the darkroom for development and copying.
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/3732304875/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/3732304875_41b5ff28d3_m.jpg
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| image_align=left
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| image_text= Reisekamera<br/>
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| scan_by= Uwe Kulick
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| image_rights=  pd
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}}
  
 
=== Other designs ===
 
=== Other designs ===
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Some Reisekameras were not designed as tailboard field cameras for rear focusing. Instead their focusing and all possible shift and maybe tilt movements had to be done by moving and adjusting the lensboard. The "Reisekamera" characteristics of this variant were a similar portability, rack and pinion focusing aid, and similar image formats and extendability of bellows. Some had a similar limited set of possible movements<ref>Brockhaus Konversations-Lexikon (1895), picture table "Photographie II", simple fronf focusing model</ref> as known from the tailboard variant, others allowed tilting both, lens board and back<ref>Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon (1908), picture tables "Photographische Apparate", several sophisticated front focusing Reisekamera</ref>. Maybe the tailboard models of the Reisekamera became more successful because they were or just looked more sturdy. Renowned authors like Dr. E Vogel<ref>Dr. E. Vogels Taschenbuch der Photographis (1910)</ref> recommended to choose sturdy constructions in favor of more flexible ones.
+
Some Reisekameras were not designed as tailboard field cameras for rear focusing. Instead their focusing and all possible shift and maybe tilt movements has to be done by moving and adjusting the lens board. The "Reisekamera" characteristics of this variant are a similar portability, rack and pinion focusing aid, and similar image formats and extendibility of bellows. Some had a similar limited set of possible movements<ref>Brockhaus Konversations-Lexikon (1895), picture table "Photographie II", simple front focusing model</ref> as known from the tailboard variant, others allowed tilting both, lens board and back<ref>Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon (1908), picture tables "Photographische Apparate", several sophisticated front focusing Reisekameras</ref>. Maybe the tailboard models of the Reisekamera became more successful because they were or just looked more sturdy. Renowned authors like Dr. E Vogel<ref>Dr. E. Vogels Taschenbuch der Photographie (1910)</ref> recommended to choose sturdy constructions instead of more flexible ones.
  
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Of course a few makers offered more sophisticated [[field camera]] types as "Reisekamera", "travel camera", "chambre de voyage" etc., thus going far beyond the definition given here for travel cameras.
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Of course a few makers offered more sophisticated [[field camera]] types as "Reisekamera", "travel camera", "chambre de voyage" etc., thus going far beyond the definition given here for the Reisekamera.
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{{br}}
  
 
=== Makers of the Reisekamera ===
 
=== Makers of the Reisekamera ===
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/2834258458/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2834258458_de99357bb2_m.jpg
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| image_align=right
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| image_text=Ernemann Berry<br/>as Union I ([[Stöckig]])<br/>
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| scan_by= Uwe Kulick
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| image_rights=  with permission
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}}
 
*[[Eugen Loeber]] (Dresden)
 
*[[Eugen Loeber]] (Dresden)
 
*[[Ihagee]] (Dresden)
 
*[[Ihagee]] (Dresden)
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**see also [[Emil Wünsche Reise-Cameras]]
 
**see also [[Emil Wünsche Reise-Cameras]]
 
**see also [[Emil Wünsche Schüler-Apparat]] (student's camera)
 
**see also [[Emil Wünsche Schüler-Apparat]] (student's camera)
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*Richard Withmann (Dresden)
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*Richard Wittmann (Dresden)
 
*[[Ernemann]] (Dresden)
 
*[[Ernemann]] (Dresden)
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** Ernemann Berry
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** [[Berry]]
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*Herbst & Firl (Görlitz)
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** [[Ernemann Lea|Lea]]
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** Ernemann Globus
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*[[Huth]] (Dresden)
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*[[Ferdinand Franz Meyer]] (Dresden)
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*[[Unger & Hoffmann]] (Dresden)
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*[[Herbst & Firl]] (Görlitz)
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** [[Globus|Ernemann Globus]]
 
*[[Bentzin]] (Görlitz)
 
*[[Bentzin]] (Görlitz)
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*Neue Görlitzer Kamerawerke (Görlitz)
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*[[Neue Görlitzer Camera-Werke]] (Görlitz)
 
*Max Wergien (Halle)
 
*Max Wergien (Halle)
 
*[[Goerz]] (Berlin)
 
*[[Goerz]] (Berlin)
 
*Sachs & Co. (Berlin)
 
*Sachs & Co. (Berlin)
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/phollectormo/10852945914/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/10852945914_0d7091bbfa_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= two Reisekameras with modern lenses
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|image_by= phollectormo
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 
*Falz & Werner (Leipzig)
 
*Falz & Werner (Leipzig)
 
*Annacker (Köln)
 
*Annacker (Köln)
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*Voigtländer (Braunschweig)
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*[[Voigtländer]] (Braunschweig)
 
*Deuber & Rau (Nuremberg)
 
*Deuber & Rau (Nuremberg)
 
*Hess & Sattler (Wiesbaden)
 
*Hess & Sattler (Wiesbaden)
 
*[[E. Suter]] (Basel)
 
*[[E. Suter]] (Basel)
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*Georg Faltus (Vienna)
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*[[Faltus|Georg Faltus]] (Vienna)
 
*Rudolf Lechner (Vienna)
 
*Rudolf Lechner (Vienna)
 
*Josef Wanaus (Vienna)
 
*Josef Wanaus (Vienna)
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*Georg Joseph (Vienna)
 
*Georg Joseph (Vienna)
 
*Alfred Werner (Vienna)
 
*Alfred Werner (Vienna)
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*[[Mazo|E. Mazo]] (Paris)
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucispictor-photo/3069058942/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/3069058942_635787c0f6_m.jpg
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| image_align=right
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| image_text=an FKD?
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| image_by=LucisPictor
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| image_rights=with permission
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}}
  
 
=== Makers of similar cameras, named "travel camera", "chambre de voyage" or else ===
 
=== Makers of similar cameras, named "travel camera", "chambre de voyage" or else ===
−
*Ferdinand Franz Meyer (Dresden)
+
*[[Ferdinand Franz Meyer]] (Dresden)
 
*[[J. Lancaster & Son]] (Birmingham)
 
*[[J. Lancaster & Son]] (Birmingham)
 
*Stereoscopic Co. Ltd. (London)
 
*Stereoscopic Co. Ltd. (London)
 
*[[Compagnie Française de Photographie]]
 
*[[Compagnie Française de Photographie]]
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*Derogy (Paris)
+
*[[Derogy]] (Paris)
 
*Gilles (Paris)
 
*Gilles (Paris)
−
*Mackenstein (Paris)
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*[[Mackenstein]] (Paris)
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*FKD (Kharkov)
+
*[[FKD view cameras]] (Kharkov)
  
 
Several makers made a different type of Reisekamera or travel camera, with a fixed rear and a smaller sliding front standard that allows shift AND often also tilt movements.
 
Several makers made a different type of Reisekamera or travel camera, with a fixed rear and a smaller sliding front standard that allows shift AND often also tilt movements.
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{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/3749784007/in/pool-camerawiki
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2590/3749784007_6cecc40bb5_m.jpg
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| image_align=right
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| image_text= Reisekamera<br/>
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| scan_by= Uwe Kulick
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| image_rights=  pd
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}}
  
 
=== Makers of the fixed rear design ===
 
=== Makers of the fixed rear design ===
−
*[[Voigtländer]] (Braunschweig) <ref>Voigtländer Reisekamera of 1890 in H.D. Abring: "Von Daguerre bis heute" Vol. I</ref>
+
*[[Voigtländer]] (Braunschweig) <ref>Voigtländer Reisekamera of 1890 in {{Abring|volume=1|page=55|image=134}}</ref>
 
*Josef Vojta (Prague)<ref>Vojta Reisekamera in: see links, "Josef Vojta (Prague)"</ref>
 
*Josef Vojta (Prague)<ref>Vojta Reisekamera in: see links, "Josef Vojta (Prague)"</ref>
 
*[[Ernemann]] (Dresden) <ref>Ernemann Windsor Reisekamera in: Kirsten Vincenz, Wolfgang Hesse: "Fotoindustrie und Bilderwelten"</ref>
 
*[[Ernemann]] (Dresden) <ref>Ernemann Windsor Reisekamera in: Kirsten Vincenz, Wolfgang Hesse: "Fotoindustrie und Bilderwelten"</ref>
Line 119: Line 192:
 
*[[Houghton_and_Ensign|Houghtons]] (London)
 
*[[Houghton_and_Ensign|Houghtons]] (London)
 
*[[Gaumont]] (Paris)
 
*[[Gaumont]] (Paris)
−
*H. Mackenstein (Paris)
+
*[[Mackenstein]] (Paris)
 
*[[Goldmann|R. A. Goldmann]] (Vienna)
 
*[[Goldmann|R. A. Goldmann]] (Vienna)
  
−
=== Links ===
+
==Notes==
−
*[http://www.designundphoto.de/seite%20ca0327%20vojta%20reisekamera.htm Josef Vojta, alternate "Reisekamera" design], at Design und Photo [http://www.designundphoto.de/]  
+
<references/>
−
*[http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/grossbild/holz-platte/reisekamera-holz.html Deuber & Rau Reisekamera] and [http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/grossbild/holz-platte2/index.html "no-name" Reisekamera] at Kurt Tauber's [http://www.kameramuseum.de]  
+
== Links ==
−
*[http://www.antiquewoodcameras.com/euro1.htm chambre de voyage, common tailboard architecture, explanation of ''Continental View'' type], on Antique Wood Cameras [http://www.antiquewoodcameras.com]  
+
{{Flickr_image
−
*[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/appareils/html/chambre.php chambre de voyage] at Sylvain Halgand's [http://www.collection-appareils.fr]
+
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/uwe_kulick/5849023330/in/pool-camerawiki
−
*[http://ksammlung.horst-reimer.de/Reisekamera/ Reisekamera, unknown maker], at Horst Reimer's [http://ksammlung.horst-reimer.de]
+
|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/5849023330_3af0130bf8_m.jpg
−
*[http://www.fotomuseum.eu/id48.htm Withmann Reisekamera, folded], at Fotomuseum [http://www.fotomuseum.eu]
+
|image_align= right
−
*[http://www.wiesbaden.de/loader.php?menue=/die_stadt/kultur/menue.php&content=/die_stadt/kultur/museen/0811_objekt.php Hess & Sattler Reisekamera] alias Chr. Tauber Reisekamera at Stadtmuseum Wiesbaden [http://www.wiesbaden.de/die_stadt/kultur/museen/stadtmuseum.php]
+
|image_text= collapsed Reisekamera
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|image_by= Uwe Kulick
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
 +
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170912165443/http://www.designundphoto.de/seite%20ca0327%20vojta%20reisekamera.htm Josef Vojta, alternate "Reisekamera" design], at [https://web.archive.org/web/20160410055012/http://designundphoto.de/2.seite.htm Design und Photo] (archived)
 +
*[http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/grossbild/holz-platte/reisekamera-holz.html Deuber & Rau Reisekamera] and [http://www.kameramuseum.de/0-fotokameras/grossbild/holz-platte2/index.html "no-name" Reisekamera] at [http://www.kameramuseum.de Kurt Tauber's]  
 +
*[http://www.antiquewoodcameras.com/euro1.html chambre de voyage, common tailboard architecture, explanation of ''Continental View'' type], on [http://www.antiquewoodcameras.com Antique Wood Cameras]  
 +
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170124001301/http://ksammlung.horst-reimer.de/Reisekamera/ Reisekamera, unknown maker], at [https://web.archive.org/web/20170707033504/http://ksammlung.horst-reimer.de/ Horst Reimer's] (archived)
  
−
=== References ===
 
−
<references/>
 
  
−
[[Category:View camera]]
+
[[Category:View cameras]]
 
[[Category:Camera architecture]]
 
[[Category:Camera architecture]]
−
 
−
{{glossary}}
 

Latest revision as of 07:43, 10 August 2023

Glossary Terms
15132293999_ce67280a76_n_d.jpg
Stegemann Reisekamera
image by Danipuntocom (Image rights)

A Reisekamera or chambre de voyage (German and French for 'travel camera') is a wooden bellows plate camera. Reisekameras are a subgroup of the 19th century wooden field cameras. Most collectors associate the term with a distinct kind of tailboard camera architecture, but some of these travel cameras had front panel focusing instead of the tailboard cameras' rear focusing. Originally Reisekameras were intended for professionals, as tools for applications outside the studio, for portraiture, architectural work or documentation away from the studio, in gardens, homes or museums. Most photographers didn't own a big carriage, and needed a light collapsible camera for field work. They also had to carry a tripod and, in the early years, a dark tent, chemicals and trays for preparation and development of the plates for the wet-collodion process. Of course this camera conception became more and more popular among amateurs, especially after dry plates became available.

The Reisekamera, believed to have originated in central Europe, influenced by, and to a high degree perfected in Germany from 1860[1], reached its peak popularity between 1895 and 1914. The common tailboard variant distinguishes itself from other tailboard cameras most notably by the hinged baseboard upon which the ground glass back can be moved and fixed, and which is the same width as the camera's front and back. This type was also known as continental view (meaning "continental type of view camera").

The Reisekamera was quite popular in Europe for several decades around 1900. Centres of its production were Görlitz, Dresden, Vienna and the French-German Alsace region. It was produced until the 1980s (Soviet FKD view cameras). The camera type stayed in use for purposes like school class photos.

2297117110_0aa2f84e93_m.jpg
collapsed camera on tripod
image by Mario Groleau (Image rights)


In 1892 Josef Maria Eder, professor for photo chemistry at the University of Vienna, described the Reisekamera[2]:

  1. light weight, moderate dimensions
  2. sturdy construction
  3. safe-keeping of the focusing screen from moisture and dirt
  4. lens board allowing vertical shifts
  5. bellows extension at least double as long as the longest side of the maximum image format
  6. usabilty also with short bellows extension and wide angle lens

Tiltable backs and lens boards were described by Eder as extra features of expensive models. His definition of the Reisekamera fits for the common tailboard variant as well as for the front focusing models.

Later a lens plate allowing vertical and horizontal shifts plus a tiltable camera back were features of typical tailboard Reisekameras.

Reisekameras are view cameras. Thus their rear panel takes the plate holder which is interchangeable with a focusing screen back. Some even have a rotatable back. Adapters for film packs or even for roll film were available for the cameras, as well as attachable plate magazines. The cameras' light-tight bellows were made of leather or good calico[3].

The common tailboard Reisekamera

3729914815_5d5435739b_m.jpg
M - matte screen
B - Bellows
O - lens
T - rack and pinion knurl
S - tripod
scanned by Uwe Kulick  (Image rights)

The common variant of the Reisekamera is not comparable with the modern extremely flexible light field cameras. Some more wood was used for its design, giving it more weight and making it resembling contemporary atelier cameras. But unlike studio cameras the travel cameras are foldable for portability.

5487344602_03642056b7_m.jpg
a Reisekamera with
accessory shutter upon lens
scanned by Uwe Kulick  (Image rights)

The shape of the Reisekamera's common tailboard form is distinctly square, having equally sized front- and rear-panels, both attached to an equally wide baseboard. Either front and back is connected by a non-tapering bellows, or lens plate and back are connected by a narrow-throated tapering bellows. The front panel carries the movable lens plate and the tiltable rear panel takes the plate holder which is interchangeable with a (often hinged) focusing screen. Focusing is carried out by sliding the rear panel along the base plate while observing the image on the screen, usually supported by a rack and pinion mechanism. The camera folds flat, after the rear panel is brought forward to the lens panel, by folding the hinged baseboard up covering the rear panel.

This common tailboard variant of the Reisekamera may have been derived from a very early collapsible camera design by camera maker Judge[4] or similar early constructions of portable cameras. It was collapsible just for portability, not for maximum compactness. It was intended as tool for outside the studio, as camera for the advanced amateur or as start equipment for photography students. It was available in different sizes. Many travel cameras were made for the common plate sizes 18x24cm and 13x18cm, but smaller and bigger sizes were available. Student cameras were made for the smaller 9x12cm plate format. The cameras required a sturdy tripod since they were not for snapshot photography like hand cameras. Thus they were all but ideal for travelers, voyageurs, Reisende, all but what their names travel camera, chambre de voyage and Reisekamera were promising.

7348062046_a4e4d4ceba_m.jpg
travel camera and plate-holder ready for journey
image by Jürgen Schütz (Image rights)

The Reisekamera's tailboard variant is, regardless of the maker, quite similarly built and of almost standardised design. Generally there are a number of limited movements: at the back, the film plate may be tilted and turned slightly to adjust perspective. The camera's lens plate may be mounted horizontally shiftable into another vertically shiftable board. If the bellows is fixed to the front, the lens plate may slide vertically and horizontally, without the bellows obstructing the light from the lens reaching the film, due to the non-tapering bellows, as opposed to common field cameras where the whole front is free to move as required, including the bellows. If the Reisekamera has a tapering bellows, the bellows' narrow front end follows the lens plate movements.

Usually the baseboard is extendible for close-up work and to accommodate various focal length lenses, the double extension feature. The tailboard construction is particularly favourable using wide-angle lenses and for close-up work since no part of the camera protrudes past the front panel. Many Reisekameras have a spirit level built into the baseboard.

Although the camera, when new, rarely was supplied with a shutter, the lens cap usually sufficed, some acquired an add-on shutter of one sort or another. Still, some of the most sophisticated Reisekameras were built with an integral focal plane shutter, a huge mechanism incorporated in the rear panel, only the brass controls visible on either side. Some of the less sophisticated models are equipped with a simple built-in pneumatically remote-controlled shutter behind the lens mount. Simple gravity-controlled guillotine shutters were common accessories[5]. Accessory leaf shutters were also available. A common camera upgrade was to mount a rouleau shutter between lens and lens plate.

2296321477_88b5595cb2_m.jpg 2297117316_0488319fa3_m.jpg 2297117462_d35c372f49_m.jpg side view and lens board movements
images by Mario Groleau (Image rights)

When using the camera a black cloth is a helpful and often necessary requisite to keep stray light out while observing the image on the focusing screen. When the picture is composed and focused, the focusing screen is replaced by the plate holder. The lens is covered with its cap, and the dark slide removed from the plate holder. When all is clear, the cap is removed for the required exposure time and replaced. If an auxiliary shutter is present, it may replace the function of the lens cap. The dark slide is replaced, and the plate holder is removed and brought to the darkroom for development and copying.

3732304875_41b5ff28d3_m.jpg
Reisekamera
scanned by Uwe Kulick  (Image rights)

Other designs

Some Reisekameras were not designed as tailboard field cameras for rear focusing. Instead their focusing and all possible shift and maybe tilt movements has to be done by moving and adjusting the lens board. The "Reisekamera" characteristics of this variant are a similar portability, rack and pinion focusing aid, and similar image formats and extendibility of bellows. Some had a similar limited set of possible movements[6] as known from the tailboard variant, others allowed tilting both, lens board and back[7]. Maybe the tailboard models of the Reisekamera became more successful because they were or just looked more sturdy. Renowned authors like Dr. E Vogel[8] recommended to choose sturdy constructions instead of more flexible ones.

Of course a few makers offered more sophisticated field camera types as "Reisekamera", "travel camera", "chambre de voyage" etc., thus going far beyond the definition given here for the Reisekamera.

Makers of the Reisekamera

2834258458_de99357bb2_m.jpg
Ernemann Berry
as Union I (Stöckig)
scanned by Uwe Kulick  (Image rights)
10852945914_0d7091bbfa_m.jpg
two Reisekameras with modern lenses
image by phollectormo (Image rights)
  • Falz & Werner (Leipzig)
  • Annacker (Köln)
  • Voigtländer (Braunschweig)
  • Deuber & Rau (Nuremberg)
  • Hess & Sattler (Wiesbaden)
  • E. Suter (Basel)
  • Georg Faltus (Vienna)
  • Rudolf Lechner (Vienna)
  • Josef Wanaus (Vienna)
  • Felix Neumann (Vienna)
  • A. Moll (Vienna)
  • Georg Joseph (Vienna)
  • Alfred Werner (Vienna)
  • E. Mazo (Paris)
3069058942_635787c0f6_m.jpg
an FKD?
image by LucisPictor (Image rights)

Makers of similar cameras, named "travel camera", "chambre de voyage" or else

Several makers made a different type of Reisekamera or travel camera, with a fixed rear and a smaller sliding front standard that allows shift AND often also tilt movements.

3749784007_6cecc40bb5_m.jpg
Reisekamera
scanned by Uwe Kulick  (Image rights)

Makers of the fixed rear design

makers of more sophisticated field cameras sold as "travel camera", "Reisekamera" or "chambre de voyage"

Notes

  1. ↑ Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"
  2. ↑ Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"
  3. ↑ Dr. E. Vogels Taschenbuch der Photographie (1910)
  4. ↑ R.C.Smith: "Antique Cameras"
  5. ↑ Kleffe & Langner: "Historische Kameras"
  6. ↑ Brockhaus Konversations-Lexikon (1895), picture table "Photographie II", simple front focusing model
  7. ↑ Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon (1908), picture tables "Photographische Apparate", several sophisticated front focusing Reisekameras
  8. ↑ Dr. E. Vogels Taschenbuch der Photographie (1910)
  9. ↑ Voigtländer Reisekamera of 1890 in Abring, H. D.: Von Daguerre bis heute Vol. 1, Herne 1990 , page 55 , image No. 134
  10. ↑ Vojta Reisekamera in: see links, "Josef Vojta (Prague)"
  11. ↑ Ernemann Windsor Reisekamera in: Kirsten Vincenz, Wolfgang Hesse: "Fotoindustrie und Bilderwelten"
  12. ↑ Falz&Werner camera (or similar of Ernemann) in Auktionshaus Cornwall, catalogue: "32. Photographica-Auktion"
  13. ↑ Goldmann Reisekamera Austrian Cameras site

Links

5849023330_3af0130bf8_m.jpg
collapsed Reisekamera
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)
Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Reisekamera&oldid=225118"