Korona View Camera

The Korona View Camera is a wooden field camera that was manufactured by Gundlach in Rochester, USA in the early 1900s. This camera holds historical significance and was part of the extensive lineup of cameras produced by Gundlach during that era. Interestingly, the name “Korona” was chosen due to people’s fondness for names containing the letter “k.” The Korona brand encompassed not only two different view cameras but also a range of leather-covered hand cameras.

It features a beautifully crafted walnut stained cherry wood base, which provides both durability and an aesthetic appeal. Its back has been meticulously painted black to minimize light reflections and ensure optimal image quality. The camera is equipped with leatherette bellows, which not only contribute to its elegant appearance but also provide flexibility and protection for the internal components.

One of the notable features of the Korona View Camera is its rack and pinion focusing mechanism. This design allows the camera to be conveniently folded up for transportation purposes. When ready to use, one simply needs to twist the knobs to extend the camera, enabling precise focusing adjustments.

In particular, being a view camera, this model belongs to the category of large-format cameras. In a view camera, the lens forms an inverted image directly on a ground glass screen, aligning with the film plane. This unique feature allows photographers to view and compose the image exactly as it will appear on the film during exposure. The view camera concept dates back to the era of the daguerreotype in the 1840s-1850s and has continued to be used by photographers to this day.

Typically, the Korona View Camera is employed with the support of a tripod or other means of stabilization. This ensures stability during the image capture process, as large-format cameras require precise positioning and steady support to achieve optimal results.

This camera is known for its compatibility with the wet plate collodion process, which was a popular photographic technique during the era when the camera was produced. Wet plate collodion is a photographic process that involves coating a glass plate with a mixture of collodion, a syrupy solution, and light-sensitive chemicals. The plate is then sensitized, exposed while still wet, and immediately developed. This process requires precise timing and careful handling.

Wet plate collodion process would involve preparing the glass plate with the collodion mixture and placing it in a plate holder or slide within the camera. The camera would then be set up on a tripod or other support, ensuring stability during exposure. The photographer would remove the dark slide, exposing the sensitized plate to capture the image formed by the lens on the ground glass screen. The wet plate would then be immediately developed, fixed, and washed to create the final photograph.

Additionally, the wet plate collodion process used with the Korona View offers a unique and distinct aesthetic, characterized by its high level of detail and a timeless quality reminiscent of early photographic techniques. This process adds an additional layer of historical significance to the camera, allowing photographers to explore the artistry and craftsmanship of photography’s past.