1800s "instant camera" on Alexander Armstrongs India

[Crotal Bell]

Just watching Ep2 of Alexander Armstrong in India, having his picture taken in Jaipur by a street vendor with a large tripod camera from around 1860.

They were popular "instant cameras" for getting B&W identification pictures for documents. One of those where you lift off the cover from the lens for a second or so.

The vendor developed the picture in a dark room at the rear of the camera and it was all done in a few minutes.

I was astonished at the quality of the image.

He's been taking photos for people with the old gear since 1970, fascinating little piece of the program.

 

[thedistrictline]

Not seen the episode but sounds just like the Afghan Camera

View: https://youtu.be/18-5xaVfhR8

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

The first time I read about these was in a 1960s magazine.

It might have been "Amateur Photographer" or one of the monthlies.

I think there was a suggestion that such cameras might have given Dr Land the idea for the Polaroid camera system.

 

[Stephen L]

Saw this. I was impressed by his conversion from negative to positive