Full Plate Camera how to

DowntonMini

DowntonMini

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Mark Gameson
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I thinkI need my head looking at but I'm seriously thinking of trying to use the full Plate Camera I got for Christmas but I have no idea where to start. If anyone has any advice or links I would be very greatful

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Well you will need some film :) Full plate is 61/2 x 81/2 inches and isn't produced anymore except I believe by Ilford during their yearly special order bonanza. I'm no expert but I would imagine there is a way of adapting the camera to take modern sheet film (waits patiently for an expert to arrive).

I say 'go for it' its a fantastic looking piece of kit and deserves to be used. (y)

Andy
 
Here you go.

http://www.ilfordphoto.com/products/productlist.asp?n=6&t=Black+&+White+Films

As to its use, I would imagine it works in a very similar way to a modern large format camera.

Load film in holder.
Set up camera, focus, insert film holder, remove dark slide and open shutter (or possibly remove lens cap), count correct exposure (possibly in elephants) close shutter (or replace lens cap), replace dark slide and remove film holder. Simples.
 
I don't know much about plate cameras or film, but it would be awesome to get that working :)

Andysnap said:
Load film in holder.
Set up camera, focus, insert film holder, forget shutter is open, remove dark slide, press shutter release, wonder why it's not "clicking" open, look at the lens and realise it's already open, put dark slide back in, swear a lot, close shutter, turn film holder around to fresh side, remove dark slide and open shutter (or possibly remove lens cap), count correct exposure (possibly in elephants) close shutter (or replace lens cap), replace dark slide and remove film holder. Simples.
Click to expand...

I don't know about the rest of you, but this is my method :D
 
Have you got a glass plate holder which fits the camera?

If not then finding one may take some searching and may also prove costly.


Upon finding a suitable holder, an adaptation is needed to be able to support whole plate film inside as the holders were originally designed for glass plates which were thicker.


The shutter, looking at the photo, does not have a shutter?......... depending on the date of the camera, shutters may not have even been invented!

That being the case, some thought has to be given as to exposure times and how you are going to achieve them.


Are there aperture blades and some sort of regulating device in /on the lens, or does it have a slot to insert waterhouse stops?......if the latter, do you possess the stops? If not, then another search will be required unless you intend to shoot wide open which on that size format will likely be a very shallow DoF

These are just some basic feelers before you even start to look at actually shoting a frame.

It is entirely possible, however there is quite a lot to consider before, during, and after the frame is shot ( developing and scanning of the neg)
 
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Asha said:
Have you got a glass plate holder which fits the camera?

If not then finding one may take some searching and may also prove costly.


Upon finding a suitable holder, an adaptation is needed to be able to support whole plate film inside as the holders were originally designed for glass plates which were thicker.


The shutter, looking at the photo, does not have a shutter?......... depending on the date of the camera, shutters may not have even been invented!

That being the case, some thought has to be given as to exposure times and how you are going to achieve them.


Are there aperture blades and some sort of regulating device in /on the lens, or does it have a slot to insert waterhouse stops?......if the latter, do you possess the stops? If not, then another search will be required unless you intend to shoot wide open which on that size format will likely be a very shallow DoF

These are just some basic feelers before you even start to look at actually shoting a frame.

It is entirely possible, however there is quite a lot to consider before, during, and after the frame is shot ( developing and scanning of the neg)
Click to expand...

It looks like I have lots to learn

I will have a closer look tonight when I get home I don't think there is a glass plate holder but I could be wrong
 
A few basic questions, and things you must check....
are the bellows light tight. (essential)?
Has the lens got aperture blades? Or does it require Waterhouse stops ( one or the other is essential)?
Are the back and front standards square to one another (essential)?
Dose the double bookform plate holder have metal Film sheaths. for cut film.?
If not you will need to pack the film forward with card.
Is the film holder light tight, You may need to replace the light trap with new velvet ribbon.?
Have you got a lens cap to take off and on. to control exposure? ( easily made from card)
To use a lens cap this way. You ease it off the lens and hold it directly in front of the lens, till the camera settles, then swing the cap out of the way and back from the other side. to make the exposure.
You can test it all out using bromide paper in place of film. this can be scanned and reversed black to white to see the image.
 
OK so back at home briefly the lens has apaterure blades and the move freely. There is a glass panel attached to the back of the camera.

I've got some more photos but they won't upload from my phone!
 
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Mark, best of luck with this mate, although you'll possibly learn a lot by playing with it. I've linked a pricelist for Ilford Whole plate film, but I'm not sure what year it is from. Call it £4 a sheet, although FP4+ is a whole 20p dearer than HP5+ for some reason known only to Ilford. The only thing I can guarantee is that the price will be higher this year when it comes out. Possibly research using darkoom paper instead of film in the meantime, and see what you can learn from that?

http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/unusual--ulf-ilford-fp4-426-c.asp
 
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Ok so presumably the filmholder fits comfortably in the rear standard of the camera?

From what i can make out, the holder looks in reasonable condition, simlarly the bellows look OK ( from what one can see of them) and the ground glass is in place so theoretically a photo could be possible.

As Terry stated, you will need to sort out somesort of sheath for the film.....If you know someone who is handy with sheet metal, they are easy enough to make. Simply a piece of sheet metal that is approx 1/8 inch larger in length and 1/4 inch longer in width than is necessary to fit inside the recess of the film holder.
That said 1/8 is folded over on 3 edges .....left, right and bottom, so as to allow sheet film to be inserted from the top edge.

So when you have that, the film and somesort of darkcloth to shade the groundglass from light so that you can focus correctly ( a tshirt fitted to the rear standard by it's "neck hole" will suffice) you will be good to go.

If you can fit the camera to a modern tripod, i would suggest that to be a better idea for actually shooting as it will likely offer more stability than the wooden one for when inserting the filmholder and removing / inserting the darkslide

I haven't looked but i suspect there are numerous U tube videos on how to use such a camera to give you an insight of how to operate it.

The lens cap as stated can easily be made, alternatively do as i do , use a hat!

Edit, I might just make a video ( i have a whole plate tailboard camera!) and post it on U tube.
If I do, I'll link it into this thread.
 
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Edit, I might just make a video ( i have a whole plate tailboard camera!) and post it on U tube.
If I do, I'll link it into this thread.

Do it, that would be brilliant and we could take the pee out of you for being on tele~ish. :D​
 
Andysnap said:
Edit, I might just make a video ( i have a whole plate tailboard camera!) and post it on U tube.
If I do, I'll link it into this thread.

Do it, that would be brilliant and we could take the pee out of you for being on tele~ish. :D​
Click to expand...

You don't need additional motif to take the pee......I get enough as it is :D

Thing is videos aren't my thing, not for making, editing and defo not for being in lol

Returning to the OPs film need, I have some Whole plate film and would happily donate a sheet for him to test his camera out but I have no method of keeping it light tight for transit as I only have the one box that it is stored it.

Anyone got a clever idea to get around that so I can post a sheet to Mark?

Alsof Mark @Downtown Mini if you wish me to, I'll have words with my neighbour ( the one who made me a 4x5 framing device) to see if he can throw together a sheet metal sheath for you;)
 
A used 8x10 darkroom paper box would be good for transporting the sheet of film, but you'd need 2 black envelopes inside it to be safe I think.
 
Peter B said:
A used 8x10 darkroom paper box would be good for transporting the sheet of film, but you'd need 2 black envelopes inside it to be safe I think.
Click to expand...

Sadly I don't have that sized box knocking about and I know of no one locally who could help me out

It's a bit of a bummer for Mark really as to fork out for a full box of whole plate film aint cheap, especially to do a test shot.

As I live outside of the UK, it's difficult to offer more practical help
 
Peter B said:
Mark, best of luck with this mate, although you'll possibly learn a lot by playing with it. I've linked a pricelist for Ilford Whole plate film, but I'm not sure what year it is from. Call it £4 a sheet, although FP4+ is a whole 20p dearer than HP5+ for some reason known only to Ilford. The only thing I can guarantee is that the price will be higher this year when it comes out. Possibly research using darkoom paper instead of film in the meantime, and see what you can learn from that?

http://www.ag-photographic.co.uk/unusual--ulf-ilford-fp4-426-c.asp
Click to expand...
Thanks Peter I'll have a look
 
Asha said:
Ok so presumably the filmholder fits comfortably in the rear standard of the camera?

From what i can make out, the holder looks in reasonable condition, simlarly the bellows look OK ( from what one can see of them) and the ground glass is in place so theoretically a photo could be possible.

As Terry stated, you will need to sort out somesort of sheath for the film.....If you know someone who is handy with sheet metal, they are easy enough to make. Simply a piece of sheet metal that is approx 1/8 inch larger in length and 1/4 inch longer in width than is necessary to fit inside the recess of the film holder.
That said 1/8 is folded over on 3 edges .....left, right and bottom, so as to allow sheet film to be inserted from the top edge.

So when you have that, the film and somesort of darkcloth to shade the groundglass from light so that you can focus correctly ( a tshirt fitted to the rear standard by it's "neck hole" will suffice) you will be good to go.

If you can fit the camera to a modern tripod, i would suggest that to be a better idea for actually shooting as it will likely offer more stability than the wooden one for when inserting the filmholder and removing / inserting the darkslide

I haven't looked but i suspect there are numerous U tube videos on how to use such a camera to give you an insight of how to operate it.

The lens cap as stated can easily be made, alternatively do as i do , use a hat!

Edit, I might just make a video ( i have a whole plate tailboard camera!) and post it on U tube.
If I do, I'll link it into this thread.
Click to expand...
Thanks Asha I'll try the holder in the camera tomorrow night.

That would be great if do the video.
 
There are a boat load of videos onUtube showing a mix of LF outfits from collodion through to more modern 4X5 and 10x8 so I'm not faffing about making another to add to them.

The process of shooting them is pretty much the same, the differences being the medium ( film etc) and the lenses ( most have shutters, unlike yours ,but there are vids showing the use of a lens cap to control exposure.)

Anyway i'll let you do some searching for yourself

One to get you started:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCZYr8BI0-4
 
Thanks @Asha much appreciated been looking at the camera this weekend at the moment I cannot workout hoe the holder fit into the camera at the moment Will watch some of the videos and see if that helps!
 
Release the clasp below the GG ( ground glass) and lift the GG up on its hinges out of the way of the back of the camera.

The filmholder will either slide in from the RHS into the groves where the GG sat or, looking at the style of the rerar standard, there is a notch located between the hinges .....the film holder will likely be shaped along its long edges with lugs so that the holder is to be place against the rear standard and the lugg on the holder sits into the notch cut out on the standard.
The holder is slid just a short distance to the left to hold it firmly in place.

Removal is simply a reversal of the above process.

I hope that doesn't come across as too confusing
 
Tried the plate holder last night unless I'm missing some thing (and this is highly possible) it doesn't appear to fit
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Oh dear it looks like you may have a holder that was produced for another camera and not the one that you possess.

If that is the case then your first project, if you wish to shoot some film, is to find a holder that will fit comfortably in the rear standard.

It is possible but I know from experience it may take some time and a lot of searching.....good luck!
 
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