A NEW OR IMPROVED REVOLVING CAMERA FOR TAKING PORTRAITS AND OTHER PICTURES
Year: 1873

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Hodgson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
June 1873.
I, EDWARD HODGSON, of Sheffield, in the County of York,
Photographer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"A NEW OR IMPROVED REVOLVING CAMERA FOR TAKING PORTRAITS AND OTHER
PICTURES," to be as follows:
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This Invention relates to cameras for taking photographs in the
studio or in the open country, and has for its objects to supercede the
present form of cameras with their cumbersome dark slides and focussing
screens, which are continually getting out of order, and the intricate or
complex arrangements of ordinary dry plate cameras, for getting the
prepared plates into position without damaging the film thereon or
breaking the glass plate intended to receive or carry the negative picture,
and to take or produce a number of pictures more rapidly and at less
cost than by any other photographic apparatus hitherto used for the
purpose,

page_text: The means by which I propose to carry out the said objects of my
present Invention are as follows:-I construct a hollow drum or the
skeleton frame of a drum, or of a many sided figure herein-after called
the "drum" of suitable materials and dimensions; in the top and
bottom discs of which drum grooves are cut or formed thereon for the
insertion therein of any convenient number of prepared glass plates,
either wet or dry, on which portraits or other pictures are to be
photographed; the skeleton frame may also be formed with any
number of sides according to the size and number of the plates desired to
be placed therein, leaving a narrow slit or opening behind or opposite to
a fixed plate of ground glass called the "focussing glass" to focus
through. The angle pieces of the said skeleton frame are properly grooved
to receive and hold the prepared glass plates. These arrangements being
made so as to form a figure with regular and equal sides or nearly so,
in order that each prepared glass plate may in succession be brought by
the motion or turning of the drum into the exact position previously
occupied by the focussing glass. This drum is then inserted in a box or
case and is so pivotted therein that it can be freely revolved or turned
by a handle or finger fixed on the upper pivot outside the said box.
This box is provided in front with a sliding lens, and behind or directly
opposite the said lens with a small strip or plate of yellow or other
suitably colored glass, to focus through and to protect the prepared
plates from the effects of the light thereon when revolving the drum.
Securely fixed on the top or lid of the box and centered on the said
upper pivot of the drum is a circular dial plate, on and near to the
circumference of which at the proper distances numbers or figures are
placed corresponding with the number of plates or sides of the drum,
the ground or focussing glass plate being fixed in and forming one side
of the drum is always in its place and cannot be easily damaged or
destroyed. This focussing glass I denominate Number One, and the
prepared glass plate next thereto, say on the left-hand Number Two, and
so on with the remainder of the plates in the drum following in the
same direction.
In operating my improved camera I turn or revolve or partially
revolve the drum, which has been previously supplied with prepared
glass plates by means of the finger placed over the dial plate and a
ratchet wheel and spur thereunder, until the said finger points to or is
over Number 1 on the dial plate, when the focussing glass is in position

page_text: behind the lens and directly opposite the colored glass in the box, and
the narrow opening in the drum; on looking through which colored
glass and opening so placed in line the picture is seen on the ground
glass and the apparatus is ready for focussing. When the focussing is
completed I then close the slide behind the lens and move the finger to
Number 2 on the dial plate, which brings a prepared glass plate into
position in the exact place occupied by the focussing glass when it is
ready to receive the image or picture, as previously seen on the focussing
glass. In this way the whole of the prepared glass plates in the drum.
are in succession brought before the lens and receive an impression or
picture.
When different views are required on each of the plates in the drum,
after taking the first view as previously described, the finger and ratchet
wheel are again turned round to Number 1 on the dial plate; when the
focussing glass is again behind the lens and the apparatus is ready to
focus another view; when this is arranged the drum is turned until the
finger points to Number 3 on the dial plate, so as to present another
prepared plate behind the lens, and the second view is taken, and so on
for the remainder of the said prepared plates in the drum, the sections
on the drum serving the place of the dark slides at present used.
My apparatus may be made in different forms, the main or leading
features being retained in each case; for example, a camera for the
studio where only one or two plates are required at one time, the "drum"
may be only a quadrant or one-fourth of a circle or polygon, wherein the
plate or plates are placed leaving an adjoining quadrant, an empty space,
so that as the views are taken they are turned into the said empty
quadrant or space. For a stereoscopic camera the drum is fixed to
revolve on a horizontal axis, the other parts being formed as previously
herein described where the drum revolves on a vertical axis or on pivots.
"
My improved revolving camera is especially adapted for taking small
views to be afterwards enlarged, and for taking "negatives for
producing transparencies for the magic lantern; also for taking views in
streets and of processions, and the like, as from 30 to 40 views can be
taken in a few minutes.
The camera may be of any size or dimensions, and can be produced at
less than the present cost of similar articles, and be more durable. It may
be made of wood, tin, brass, or other suitable material, which will not warp

page_text: or be otherwise injuriously affected by variations of climate. It may
also be made of paper for a toy camera, with a bull's-eye lens to exhibit
small transparencies. Its construction being exceedingly simple it
cannot easily get out of order. It is very compact, portable, and light,
always ready for use, and is therefore very suitable for tourists in taking t
stereoscopic and other views, cards for albums, and the like.