Getting into wet plate collodion photography is not a cheap undertaking, but it doesn't have to break the bank either. I did a lot of research and really tried to make some solid purchases, particularly with regards to equipment.
I love antiques, so going for 19th century gear--where I could--was a given. After much watching and searching, I lucked into an 1890s-era 5x7 (actually 13x18 cm) reisekamera on eBay. My tailboard camera came with a very nice Steinheil Gruppen Antiplanet lens, a set of waterhouse stops, and five Premo-style wooden film holders (in various states of repair) made by Eastman Kodak. The camera's style and construction, coupled with a name plate on the front indicating that it was sold by Alfred Suck of Berlin, suggests it was made in Germany, but there are no manufacturer's marks on it which is pretty common for reisekameras. It's a pretty camera, made of mahogany with brass fittings. The bellows were in beautiful condition--no light leaks. I did find some leaks in the lens board and on the top of the front standard that are from cracked or shrunken wood, but they were easily fixed with gaffer's tape (LOVE that stuff!). Although it was made for use with early sheet film, the camera and film holders work great for wet plate tintypes (technically, alumitypes as I'm shooting on aluminum plates).
Also on eBay, I found a Folmer-Graflex Crown No. 2 tripod. It too is made of mahogany, with brass plated fittings, so it all looks pretty sweet when set up. Some light cleaning and a bit of orange oil and the mahogany looks beautiful. I had to put together some chain for the tripod so it wouldn't collapse on me.
Next time, I'll write more about the lens and waterhouse stops....
My reisekamera, with a Steinheil Gruppen Antiplanet lens.
The ground glass is in excellent condition.
