Frena - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Frena

1892

Original model

R & J Beck

London

England

Image of Frena Original model

Lens:
c. 4 ¼", Rapid Rectilinear, fixed aperture.

Shutter:
Sector type, spring powered, adjustable sector size to vary exposure, speeds 6, 12, 24, 48. Also position marked 0 which closes the sector.

Construction:
Leather covered wood body.

Format:
40, 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" cut films held in internal mechanism.

Focusing:
Fixed.

Attributes:
Single reflecting view-finder. Exposure counter to 20.

Movements:
Tilting back.

Serial Number:
1487 .

Notes:
Retailer's plaque on back of camera: London Stereoscopic Co. 106 & 108 Regent St. W. and 54 Cheapside. E.C. (1889 - 1907).

This is the first model of the Frena, made for only one or two years. The changing mechanism for the Frena film is similar to the later models except that the exposed films are stored in the bottom of the camera rather than the back.

The patents were taken out by J. T. Clarke or Clarke and C. Beck. Joseph Thacher Clarke (b. 1856 d. 1920) was employed by George Eastman in 1886 (prior to these patents).

References & Notes:
BP 11891/1890. BP 20852/1890. BP 9819/1892. BP 9820/1892. BP 23315/1892. BP 19581/1892. BJA 1893, p. 737. BJP 9/9/1892, p. 587. BJP 15/4/1892, p. 252.

Further Information:
On Joseph Thacher Clarke: BJA 1921, p.317. Brayer, Eastman Biography. Jenkins, Images and Enterprise.


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