The Montauk camera was manufactured by G. Gennert and introduced in 1890. Manufacturing continued into the late 1890s. Constructed of wood with no obtrusive parts and all the brass work is oxidized and harmonizes well with the black Turkish morocco covering. The external dimensions of the box for 4 x 5 plates is 6 x 7 x l0 1/2 inches and the weight is two pounds well sustaining the maker's claim that it was the lightest and smallest camera of its kind at its introduction.

The opening for the finder lens is placed in the upper left hand corner. A milled head screw projecting from the front of the box at the right of the lens opening serves to set the shutter by a turn to the right. Two trigger releases project through the top near the front. The right is used for shutter exposures. The time exposure trigger can be rendered out of action by bringing a hook over it. The focusing scale and lever are in their proper position at the top of the box with varying distances from eight to sixty feet. The back of the camera is moved in or out by turning the lever. The door on the right gives access to the plate holders of which three may be carried in the box. The lens is a rapid rectilinear of extremely good performance covering the plate well and embracing a moderate but not excessive angle. Its focal length is about six inches. It is provided with a fixed diaphragm. The shutter is of the circular rotary type actuated by means of a brass spring wire coiled about a screw, one end engaging on a boss on the shutter and the other in slots cut in a brass plate on the bottom of the box. The speed of the shutter is regulated by moving this end of the wire to the right or left. The camera may be mounted on a tripod and used for time exposures.

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Historic Camera Value and Rating - Estimating Overall Worth (about)

# 324
2009-10-29 00:00:00