BoxCameras.com - J. Lizars 'Challenge' Camera, circa 1898-1901

This tropical-style plate camera is a gorgeous little gem. It was manufactured around the turn of the century, and features mahogany and brass construction, with a distinctive green bellows. Note the size comparison to the film spool in the picture on the right - this was a very small camera, taking 2½ x 3½ inch plates.

There is a Bausch & Lomb lens and a variable speed shutter. A two-part bubble level (still working) on top helped the photographer compose his subject and align the camera properly.

This camera was definitely used and appreciated by its owner. Proof of this is the focusing scales that were written on the drop-down bed of the camera.

It appears that the photographer first wrote the settings on the brass track, and then realized that they would not be visible when the lens assembly was moved into place! So he wrote the settings on a label alongside the lensboard where they would be visible at all times.

The settings are clearly for portraits - both 'Adult' and 'Child' are clearly visible, as are the distances for proper images.