I have used a variety of cameras and collected some with the intention of discovering what sort of results could be obtained. These pages record some comments on the cameras and, in some cases, an example or two of photos taken.
Most of the monochrome work was done in my darkroom before the advent of scanners and photo editors. I have used the new tools to achieve what I failed to do chemically but I have noted what post darkroom operations were needed and why. (mostly my lack of darkroom technique)
Most of the cameras were acquired from junk shops in South London decades years ago. The Leica IIIb was bought via a small ad in a copy of Amateur Photographer of about the same period. Some cameras were in in good working order, some needed cleaning (and spider eviction) and some needed restoration. I did find some black goo that could be used sparingly to patch up worn bellows of the black leatherette variety.
The half plate camera was bought without a lens, focussing screen or one of the tripod legs but it did have a double dark slide. About a year of searching delivered the missing items including an etched glass focussing screen from a specialist in Battersea who did the etching process himself.
The quarter plate single lens reflex was grubby and mostly working, that is, the robust mechanical components were. The large roller blind shutter in front of the negative was damaged and required a re-build. I found some suitable material and, after some trial and error, produced a working shutter. I don't think that the speeds are as accurate as they might once have been but it does work. I did make a shutter timer (using a design given in a magazine) and tested the shutter but I don't have a record of the results. The camera came with a roll film adaptor using 120 size film - rather smaller than quarter plate but an alleged convenience. I had nothing but trouble with it. The film path was tortuous and most of my films snagged and tore and it was not reliably light tight.
I have most of the components of a Kodak whole plate camera but that re-construction has become a semi-mythical enterprise. Don't watch this space!