De Vere Devon Camera

B

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.
 
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