Difference between revisions of "Wisner"
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==Materials== | ==Materials== | ||
| − | Wisner cameras are made of | + | The majority of Wisner cameras are made from mahogany, and some (the Expedition models, in which the thickness of some of wooden parts is reduced to save weight<ref name=LFPcat>[https://www.largeformatphotography.info/cameras/wisner-expedition-technical/WisnerCatalog300dpiMonoChrome.pdf Wisner catalogue] reproduced at [https://www.largeformatphotography.info LargeFormatPhotography.info]</ref>) from American black cherry wood. Fittings are brass in the Technical Field cameras, and in the smallest (4x inch) of the Traditional cameras. Other cameras have fittings made from brass-anodised aluminum to save weight.<ref name=LFPcat/> The metal parts are lacquered with traditional shellac. |
==Lens boards== | ==Lens boards== | ||
Revision as of 17:49, 30 August 2023
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| Wisner Technical Field Camera 4x5 image by Richard Droker (Image rights) |
Wisner (Wisner Classic Manufacturing Co.) was a camera maker in Marion, Massachusetts, USA. The company was started by Ron Wisner in the mid-1980s, while in his twenties, and originally built pipe organs, before turning to make high-end large format cameras.
Wisner closed his company in about 2007. Posts by users at large-format photography fora in the company's later years suggest dissatisfaction with customer service and long lead times for supply,[1] but the company was closed in good order, without debts.[2]
Wisner Technical Field
The 'Technical Field' cameras made by Wisner have a unique feature not found on any other folding field camera, which incorporated a geared tilt movement for the rear standard, with a non linear gear rack. This allows the camera to maintain focus position even when tilting the rear standard.[3]
Wisner cameras have very long bellows draw, allowing for long focal lengths to be used, or macro work with a standard lens, thus eliminating some of the drawbacks field cameras have when compared to monorail or studio large format cameras. The 8x10 Wisner features 4 extension beds with a bellows draw of more than 800mm. Wide-angle bellows were also available. Wisner camera bellows were made from kid leather (thin, supple calf leather), usually dyed a light red or purple, and lined with black silk inside.
Materials
The majority of Wisner cameras are made from mahogany, and some (the Expedition models, in which the thickness of some of wooden parts is reduced to save weight[4]) from American black cherry wood. Fittings are brass in the Technical Field cameras, and in the smallest (4x inch) of the Traditional cameras. Other cameras have fittings made from brass-anodised aluminum to save weight.[4] The metal parts are lacquered with traditional shellac.
Lens boards
The 4X5 Wisner cameras take standard 4"X4" wooden (or metal) lens boards. The 5X7 takes an unusual 5.2" lens board. Most 8X10 cameras take standard Sinar/Horsman (138mm) boards, though earlier cameras take slightly larger standard 6"X6" boards.
Notes
- ↑ For example, this post at photo.net.
- ↑ Personal communication from Ron Wisner.
- ↑ See US Patent 4814803, Mid-line tilt mechanism for view camera, filed August 1987 and granted March 1989 to Ron Wisner, at Espacenet, the patent search facility of the European Patent Office.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wisner catalogue reproduced at LargeFormatPhotography.info
