De Vere Devon Camera

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Barney

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I have just purchased this camera on an auction site based on a top view of a box of bits, It has interchangeable backs for 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10. Anticipating some repairs/modifications/overhauling does anyone have any info concerning documentation or resources for this camera model?

The interchangeable backs all look present and in reasonable order, there also appears to be a lens attached, but the photo of the system does not provide much info really, pretty much purchased on a wing and a prayer.
 
Big and heavy, I had the Whole plate version with two addtional backs, Half plate & 5x4. Essentially quite simple construction so easy to service, restore.

I had to get bag bellows made to use a 150mm lens, Custom (CAmera) bellows had the pattern so made them for me.but I had to make the fixing plates. Lens boards are flat so easy to make from Aluminium.

Ian
 
Ian Grant said:
Big and heavy, I had the Whole plate version with two addtional backs, Half plate & 5x4. Essentially quite simple construction so easy to service, restore.

I had to get bag bellows made to use a 150mm lens, Custom (CAmera) bellows had the pattern so made them for me.but I had to make the fixing plates. Lens boards are flat so easy to make from Aluminium.

Ian
Click to expand...

Thanks Ian,

Basically I need/want it for the 8x10 so that I can produce larger negatives for Kallitype prints, so I Anticipate mainly studio type use, where, hopefully, weight will not be a concern.
 
Well then, a few surprises, it is not Devere Devon, its a huge Kodak

no interchangeable backs, set up for 4x5, but three 5x7 film holders though and a couple of 4x5. Nice surprise is a Kodak Ektar 203mm f 7.7

Bellows look good but creaking like mad !

Ian was right about the weight, its made from inch plywood !
 
Overall the camera looks to have had very little use with slight deterioration to the coatings of the metal components which can only be expected at almost 60 years old.
The lens is excellent with one spec of dust inside the front element, about half a mm, and shutter speeds look good down to 1/10th and below that are quite slow which is probably a consequence of aged lubricants. I will get the lens and shutter serviced I think. I am surprised reading the Ektar reviews, looks like a good 'un.
 
That's a Half plate back and will tale 7x5 holders. Soeone has added wood to the inside edges to crop to 5x4.

Ilford dropped Whole plate & Half plate film around 1974/5, last I saw was on my Ilford Professional dealers shelves in 1977. I wouldn't be surprised if your holders haven't been converted to take 5x4 film. When I bought my Spcialist 2 twl holders had a neat conversion to shoot 5x4.

You should be able to remove the added wood, just remove the screen first.

Ian
 
Ian Grant said:
That's a Half plate back and will tale 7x5 holders. Soeone has added wood to the inside edges to crop to 5x4.

Ilford dropped Whole plate & Half plate film around 1974/5, last I saw was on my Ilford Professional dealers shelves in 1977. I wouldn't be surprised if your holders haven't been converted to take 5x4 film. When I bought my Spcialist 2 twl holders had a neat conversion to shoot 5x4.

You should be able to remove the added wood, just remove the screen first.

Ian
Click to expand...
I will try that as the whole back end looks to be 7x5

The film holders stated size are 6 1/2 x 4 3/8 - but that looks image size not film size.

Will that take 7x5 ? a quick run with tape says yes but image may be smaller
 
The back is Half plate, but as it's an International back it will also take 7x5 film holder, Only the image on the screen is cropped smaller, not on the film.

I have the same back, and also a metal Kodak Specialist 3 Half plate back, which also fits a Specialist 2. The wooden bits are probably just glued in, but check for screws,

Ian
 
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