J. Reygondaud, Paris, Stereo Field Camera
By the
latter part of the 19th century a thriving business had evolved for both
professional and high quality amateur cameras. The sliding box style had
given way to tailboard cameras with leather bellows, and then folding cameras
with a fixed plate holder and moving front element such as this (circa 1890)
Reygondaud. It has both mono and stereo lens sets mounted on roller blind
shutters. The stereo lens pair are Darlots. The mono shutter is by Mattioli.
The stereo shutter has a trademark, but I don't know if its Mattioli or
someone else. The single lens is a Goerz of most likely later vintage. The
accessory view finder is an interesting piece. With the top cover closed,
it works as an eye level finder. Open the cover and a mirror drops down
internally, making it a waist level finder.
In this photo one can see the hardened reamins of a pneumatic shutter release bulb.
Boring flat photo shutter and lens assemblyinstalled. We'll be kind and call it a "landscape" lens.
