large format cameras: american optical

The cameras in this video were all made before 1900 by American Optical Co. There are a number of different formats represented here. The largest is whole/full plate which is 6.5x8.5 format (actual negative size is 6 1/4 inches by 8 inches). This is a wonderful negative size--longer in perspective than a more boxy 8x10 look, and is still large enough to contact print nicely. Other sizes here are 5x7, 4x5 and a quarter plate (very small negative). I do have a review didicated to a single whole plate American Optical camera--you can see that on another video--it is a splendid working camera. One of the American Optical workers eventually began his own camera making business out of Chicago--that would become the beginning of the great Deardorff line. I do have a number of videos concerning Deardorff cameras.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• large format camera
• 4x5 camera
• 8x10 camera
• 5x7 camera
• 6.5x8.5 camera
• antique cameras

[goinghomesomeday1]

These cameras in themselves are a work of art - Pre plastic era!!

Really nice collection.