J.Girard - Le Rêve Idéal (1907)
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Sold by J.Girard & Co (successor of E.Girard &
A.Boitte), Le Rêve Idéal is bearing a resemblance with an Afpi-Universal
made by Wünsche. In addition to a similar design and identical
dimensions, these two cameras have several similarities (a double
pistons shutter, same legs holding the flap, hooks for bellows). This
is not a surprise because this company was in fact a distributor of
photographic cameras, mainly imported from Germany.
Le Rêve Idéal is an interesting folding which has multiple
refinements.
| Firstly, this camera was using equally 9x12 cm
glass plates or VIDIL rollfilm. This type of film allowed to frame and
focus the photography on a translucent paper which was inserted
between two portions of sensitive film. |
The use of VIDIL rollfilm required to equip the
camera with a large rollfilm magazine.
| This camera allowed "double-extension" in
order to offer a long focal distance. This feature required to equip
the camera with a special lens "doublet", able to correct chromatic aberrations
and distortions.
The camera exposed here is equipped with a doublet lens Symetrical Anastigmat
f:6.8 made by Roussel. |
When the simple-extension was used, two little
hooks were allowing to reduce the length of the bellows avoiding this
one to cut the focal plan.
Depending of the extension mode selected, the
photograph had to use one of the range of distances. Each ranges has a
double scale : one for glass plate, one for rollfilm.
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The shutter is a Bausch & Lomb equipped with a double piston.
It is offering apertures from 6.8 to 44. The range of speeds varies
from 1/100 sec to 1 sec. Pose B and T are also possible. The speed
selector is marked "AUTOMAT".
Double-extension setting
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This
camera was given to me by a friend who is a charming Lady of 80
springs. This camera was owned by his father since he found it in
1945... on the top of a garbage can!
Thanks to Vilma for this great gift and above all,
for her daily kindness. |
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