VOIGTLÄNDER WHOLE METAL CAMERA

This early daguerreotype camera was designed by F.W. Voigtläner in Vienna 1840. The camera produced circular pictures. Focusing was done with the small cone with ground glass screen and  magnifying glass. After that the camera was taken off the fork-shaped stand it was taken in to the dark-tent. There the focusing cone was replaced  by  the cassette and taken back to the stand and was now ready for taking a daguerreotype.
The lens was calculated by Prof. Josef  Petzval a mathematician from Austria. He sucseeded to make an exceptionally fast lens so it now was  possible to take portrait. The exposure time was about 2 minutes in sunny days.The price of this camera outfit was 120 guilders about the price of  a good horse in that time. I made this replica May 2000.

 


A replica of the Voigtländer Whole Metal Camera.

Directions for the whole metal camera from 1841.

Box, camera and the cassette  loaded with a silverplated cupper plate.

Picture from THE HISTORY OF THE ART OFF PHOTOGRAPHY by H.Snelling 1849.

Camera, cassette with plate and box with one plate.

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Drawing by Thomas Hosemann 1843. The artist seems afraid of loosing his job. The daguerreotypist is counting the seconds but the cassette is not in place! Please observe the iodine- and mercury-smoke from the bottles
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