Blair Folding Hawk-Eye Cameras

The Blair Camera Company introduced the 5x7 Folding Hawk-Eye No.1 and No.2 in 1892; probably in response to George Eastman's 1890 No.4 Folding Kodaks and the 1891 Henry Clay Camera.

These early self-casing cameras were pioneering designs that paved the way for inexpensive folding cameras of the 1890s. The 5x7 Folding Hawk-Eyes were large cameras with ebony finished wood, brass hardware, and front standard mounted reflex finders. As with the Kodak and Henry Clay, Folding Hawk-Eyes used glass plates and rollfilm.

The No.1 Folding Hawk-Eye may also represent one of the first self-casing cameras to incorporate a concealed shutter. A wire tensioning device cocks the single speed shutter while a lever on the shutter face adjusts the aperture (three settings).

The Folding Hawk-Eye No.1 has a focusing scale with two sets of measures. The front scale is used for plates while the rear scale is for rollfilm. Two scales are required because glass plates are thicker than rollfilm, thereby having a different focal plane.

The No.1 shown here is missing most of it's outer body leather, but the interior wood and bellows are nearly perfect. Normally, apparatus in this condition is not included in the collection, however the 5x7 Folding Hawk-Eye is historically interesting and very rare. Even in less than ideal condition, this particular example has the aura of a "working" camera and was acquired with its original ground glass frame, plateholders and bits of darkroom equipment. As such, the camera is a worthy candidate for restoration ... or should it be left alone as a representation of a working camera? Feel free to e-mail with your opinion.

The No.2 Folding Hawk-eye is basically the same camera as the No.1, having an ebonized wood interior and brass hardware, but with a traditional front standard and external B&L brass shutter.