The Novel View Camera is the latest response to the demand for something that shall be very light and very convenient. Its construction is the result of a series of experiments entered into with a view to obtaining an instrument in the make up p113
[THE NOVEL VIEW CAMERA].
FIG. 17.
REPRESENTING THE CAMERA WHILE BEING REVERSED.
of which there shall be no unnecessary weight, and combining easy adjustment with great rigidity. It being absolutely necessary that a view camera shall permit the use of the plate both horizontally and vertically, all the older forms of view cameras were built square, to permit the shifting of the plate, thus adding very much to the weight of the instrument. In this instrument, however, all that is possible has been done to reduce the bulk and weight; in doing so several new p114 improvements have been adopted. The box itself is very little larger in outside measurement than the largest plate it will take, and the double holder is so perfect as to be very little if any heavier than the glass plates it is intended to contain. The greatest improvement is the revolving bellows, the front end of which is fastened in the light frame-work in such a way that when the back is detached from the bed the whole bellows revolves, instead of requiring to be unbuttoned, as heretofore, making a great saving in time. The back is held to the bed by metal plates having slotted holes, which permit the passage of round screw-heads, which slide over the slots and thus hold very firmly. The back may be detached and changed from a vertical position to a horizontal in so short a space of time as two seconds, by the watch.
These boxes are made with a double swing, the combination of the two swings making it possible to avoid all distortion of lines.
These cameras are made in all sizes from 4×5 to 18×22, and they are decidedly the camera of the period. The 3 suitable sizes are fitted with partitions, and extra fronts for stereoscopic work.
The novel dry plate holders for these cameras are stripped of every unnecessary bulk and weight; each will contain two plates, except the sizes above 8×10, which are fitted with a patent shield, each one of which has two slides working in the end and in the side of the shield, therefore the slide can be withdrawn from the side of the shield, no matter in what position the camera is placed. These shields are single for one dry plate only. All the sizes of Novel Cameras above 8×10 are made with the ground glass of the same focus p115 as for wet plate holders; if desired wet plate holders can be furnished to order.
THE KLAUBER CAMERA.
A new idea has been perfected and carried out in connection with the Novel Camera, making it a combination View and Portrait Camera with the above name. See Cuts 18 and 19. A portrait attachment has been constructed to fit the back of the larger sizes of the Novel Camera, which can be attached or detached in a few seconds, thus rendering it unnecessary that there should be two large and expensive cameras in one gallery. This is an exceedingly valuable improvement for the larger sizes in more than one particular. The 18×22 size, with ground glass and two plate holders, weighs only 50 lbs.; the measurement of this size outside is 11×22×30¼ inches only.