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Baudry Isographe |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in France from 1935 to 1945.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 13980
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Baudry
Lucien-François Baudry (1886-1950), a watchmaker from Angers, began producing very unique cameras in very limited quantities in the mid-1920s. He was assisted by a single worker from 1918 to 1936. Initially, the components of the cameras were molded from recycled metal before being sent to a foundry for better results. The worker handled the production of the parts, while Lucien Baudry himself was responsible for assembling and fine-tuning each camera. Each unit is nearly unique because L. Baudry continuously made modifications to his creations. The cameras were intended for stereophotography on plates (6 x 13 format). Later models were adapted for film, using 620 film to provide a pair of images in the 6 x 13 format. There are a few single-lens models that were manufactured after the war.
These cameras are known as "Isographe." In some catalogs, the name "Iso-Roll-Film" is found for the version with film, although it's unclear whether this is a distributor's proprietary name, a naming error, or Baudry's attempt to distinguish the film version.
The quality of craftsmanship is quite exceptional, considering that it was the work of a single individual who operated without formal plans. The shutter is a homemade creation, with the lenses being the only components not made by Baudry.
The silhouette of the Isographe is distinctive. It is a folding camera with a bellows; a small foldable handle allows the front part of the camera to be pulled forward to facilitate its deployment. Some units have a fixed focus, while others have focusing achieved through a micrometric screw linked to the linkage connecting the two lenses. The back is rectangular, and the viewfinder consists of two parts: the front part is a folding metal frame on which two round pieces are fixed. Folding this part of the viewfinder-catch, the two round pieces are positioned precisely in front of the lenses, serving as caps (Patent 581,356 filed on November 27, 1924). The rear part supports an eyepiece.
This particular specimen is a late production from Baudry, as it is a version designed for 620 film. It exhibits some differences compared to other known models. The most noticeable one involves the metal sector fixed to the left lens, which displays the focusing distances, presumably for easier reading.
Additionally, on the viewfinder frame, one can observe the presence of small guides that initially held a small metal rod and a small weight at its end (now missing). Similar to a plumb line, these aids helped the operator align the camera horizontally. A bubble level on the top of the camera also facilitates the device's alignment.
On the back, there is a depth of field table. However, it does not precisely correspond to the aperture settings of this particular specimen (4.5; 6.3; 9; 12; 18, compared to 4.5; 6; 8; 11; 16). This discrepancy may be explained by the coexistence of two aperture scales on this camera model.
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Cameras from Ebay France (Baudry) (Uploaded each 3 hours)
 Appareil photo stéréoscopique Isographe format 6x13 cm par Lucien Baudry. 595,00 euros Finira le 06-05-2024 à 09:21:28 |