Anybody know C S Baynton field cameras?

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Anybody know C S Baynton field cameras? I have a camera off the bay that I think is Baynton. I'll post photos later and info as to why I think that is what it is.

danfromm · Joined: 04 Sep 2011 Posts: 593

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/60508-baynton-c-s--field-camera-1891-19

Channing & Dunn say much the same.

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Heh... Thanks danfromm. That is the site that convinced me my camera is a Baynton. I just googled "field camera" and scanned images to see if I could find something close. That was the closest I could find. It matches the description (mahogany, finally crafted, brass) and the tower at the front with the 2 knurled knobs to lock the front of bellows to the fold out front. It looks like this:

The knurled knobs are the same style, the lockdown brass grooved plate for elevation is the same style. It just "looks" like the same company. Not conclusive of course but some compelling evidence and nothing clearly inconsistent. I did take some photos on my a7 with the lens. The lens also has no makers mark, just a logo and the F-stops marked. I will post some a bit later in the lens forum.

danfromm · Joined: 04 Sep 2011 Posts: 593

Y'know, most of the regulars here are small format film or tiny chip digital specialists. A few of the regulars on http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ know old British LF cameras fairly well. Post your question there.

FWIW, to my uneducated eye y'r new treasure looks pretty generic. But then, many of the cameras described in Channing & Dunn strike me as nearly identical and for all practical purposes identical. Collecting isn't a practical purpose.

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

Thanks! I signed up but can't figure out how to post a request for info.
Also I did post a few samples from the lens that came with this camera, they are in the manual lens:

http://forum.mflenses.com/no-name-brass-lens-approx-240mm-baynton-field-camera-t75472.html

danfromm · Joined: 04 Sep 2011 Posts: 593

How to post on the US LF forum probably isn't as obvious as it should be.

Select a forum, click on it. In your case, Cameras & Camera Accessories. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on + Post New Thread.

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

more pics

danfromm · Joined: 04 Sep 2011 Posts: 593

Not to be a complete idiot or anything, but where's the bed? That's the part that supports the front standard and connects to the back.

What you've shown us isn't a complete camera.

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

After speaking with experts on Large Format Forum at danfromm's advice it is now believed this is likely a kit. The Baynton's may be kits as well. Apparently back at the turn of the 19 to 20th centuries it was possible to obtain a host of components from sources such as this:

http://www.apug.org/forum/index.php?threads/1898-camera-parts.67527/#post-952706

I wish I could get those components today!