Talk:Seneca

My name is Rick.

I have a Seneca Mfg. black beauty camera in very good condition. The camera would actually take a picture if I knew how. I also have blank film ie. glass plates. I don't know the date of manufacture. It is 4x5 convertible. I have developed film in packages from the Sandpoint Drug Company dated 1917, from Sandpoint Idaho. My grandfather owned the camera and lived in Bonners Ferry Idaho.

 Rick.

Hello Rick

I have tested a 4x5" Black Beauty and a 4x5" Seneca Chautauqua with a 4x5" Polaroid 545 sheet film holder, and the Chautauqua also with a 4x5" Polaroid film pack holder. The film pack holder is too thick for using the glass screen frame as clamp. Thus I needed adhesive tape to combine film pack holder and camera. The cheap "leatherette" coating of the camera lost its black color after removing the adhesive tape. Another attempt will be made next time with a Calumet rollfilm holder on the black beauty. This item would not fit any other of my four old 4x5" cameras. I have no experience making images with regular sheet film holders. Film is no more available for the Polaroid 545 holder, and Fujifilm FP-100 film packs may be still offered but no appropriate holders.

Best regards, Uwe

That's really coo Uwe, so let me know how it works. they seem not to be worth much but would still be fun to take a picture with. I have film (glass) and holders but no operating manual or instructions so have'nt been successful yet. Rick.