Portable Sliding CAMERA OBSCURA :19th century English Fully Functional- Solid Mahogany- Perfect 4 Classroom Start Price USD 159.00 Current Price USD 159.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, August 22, 2008 End Time Monday, September 01, 2008 Location lincoln, CA See more about 'Portable Sliding CAMERA OBSCURA :19th century English ' Description Be sure to add me to your favorites list!   Authentic replica of a 19th century English style Mahogany Sliding Camera Obscura   Check out my other items! Including my other Camera Obscuras and Camera Lucidas     Go into a dark room on a sunny day and poke a small hole in the wall, and you will see a hazy up-side-down image of the outside world projected on the opposite wall.  This basic principle has been recorded as far back as 500 BC by great thinkers from Aristotle to Leonardo Da Vinci, and some even suggest that this was the means by which some of the ancient cave drawings were made.   Take that same dark room and make the hole bigger and add a lens with the right diameter and focal length. Now you will get a larger bright clear image of the outside world.  This lens innovation was made in the 1500’s and by the 1600’s the “room” was shrunk down to the size of a portable box, like the portable English style sliding Camera Obscura sold here, which works the same way; only it projects the right-side-up image onto a piece of ground glass on the outside of the camera (see diagram on the lower left).     The first time you see a Camera Obscura in action you’ll get chills. It projects a clear full-color moving image of the scene in front of it making it look like a TV screen that you can draw on—and that’s about what it is.   This is a solid Mahogany replica of a 19th century English style portable sliding box Camera Obscura that has been used as a drawing tool for hundreds of years. In the 17th, 18th and 19th century many artists were aided by the use of the camera obscura: Jan Vermeer, Canaletto, Guardi, and Paul Sandby are just a few who are thought to have used the Camera Obscura to make beautiful masterpieces.      The Camera Obscura later became the beginning for modern Cameras and today they are a hard to find collectible; as well as, a fun and practical drawing tool.  The great thing about this one is that it is not only a beautiful replica, but it is fully functional and can be used for hands-on demonstrations that recreate the magic of the past. Perfect for any classroom that is teaching the history of photography or art—from kindergartners to grad students they’ll all be captivated and edified.   ·        Money Back Guarantee! ·        Fully Functional art tool and a Hard to Find Collectible ·        Built with solid 1/2 inch thick Mahogany lumber with a naturally beautiful oil finish ·        Slides in and out to focus on objects a few feet away to far into the distance. ·        Shade/ screen cover slides neatly into the sides of the camera obscura. ·        No special paper or film needed ·        Perfect historical teaching aide for students of all ages. ·        Projection size is 6 ½ in(16.5cm) x 4 ½ in(11.4cm). ·        Comes with REAL Ground Glass and clear plexi-glass: standard 7in x 5in (17.8cm x 12.7cm) size. ·        The lens is clear and uncorrected and measures 1 3/4 in (45mm) with a 360mm focal length ·        Comes with helpful instructions ·        Hand Crafted in the USA.   Dimensions: About: 6 ½ in (15.5cm) high, 9 ¼  in (23.5cm) wide, and 24 ½  in (62.3cm) long when fully extended And 16 in (40.6cm) long when collapsed   There are two main ways to create art with this kind of Camera Obscura. One is to observe the image and paint on a separate canvas or you can draw directly on the image.   The image projected by a Camera Obscura is like no other image you will ever see. From the pictures on the left you can get a good idea what the image will look like, but it is impossible for my digital camera to clearly capture every thing that it is.  It is, of course, a full color moving image of your surroundings, but it is much more then that. Every electronically generated images that we see today, when you get close enough (even with HDTV) you can see the graininess and it turns in to a blur, but with a Camera Obscura the image seems to be infinitely clear (up really close you can see tiny imperfections in the ground glass, but this does not disturb the image)—you can see every detail just as if you were looking right at it: it looks like you can reach out and grab it. Plus it sees the same way we see with our eyes. When you look at an object it is sharp in focus and everything else softens into the background, but as soon as you look to see the soft background it become the sharp foreground.  But with this Camera Obscura you can observe a scene the way your eye sees it without your eye’s constant refocusing.  Observing the camera Obscura’s image will teach you how to paint the way we see, which will add untold depth to your work.     It is said that Jan Vermeer used a Camera Obscura, much like this one, to observe the subjects that he painted. He did this both for the reason stated in the previous paragraph and because paintings by observing a two-dimensional image projected onto ground glass, rather than drawing from life, is easier than drawing from a live three-dimensional field: in the same way it is easier to copy a picture then paint En plein air or in the open air.    Or you can draw directly on the image; either by placing a piece of clear plastic over the ground glass and drawing on that, or use the provided clear glass with a piece of tracing paper over it.  The image will project right onto your paper and look like a TV screen that you can draw on.   This Camera Obscura focuses on objects from about three feet away (1 meter) to infinitely into the distance.  You can use it to draw or paint portraits, still-lifes, landscapes, or anything else you come by. The included instruction teach you how to use the ground and clear glass and make art the same way artist have been doing for centuries.   This Camera Obscura is a piece of art in itself. There are no colors or dyes added—this is the natural color of the Mahogany. This Mahogany seems to glow; it is one of the world’s most gorgeous hardwoods. It’s beautiful enough to set out as a showpiece, but you won’t want to put it down.    And one of my beautiful Camera Obscura replicas is going to be featured in the upcoming Lifetime movie “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter”; as well as in other upcoming films.        I have sold Camera Obscuras to teachers and collectors around the world—some buy one and others get multiple camera Obscuras, and I am the only person that consistently sells them.    I sell through —the worlds largest and safest marketplace—so you can buy with confidence. This is definitely a productive item that could be purchased with school funds, but it is not to expensive to buy it on your own.  If you can get a grant, then you can supply your whole school with my products.   Shipping inside the USA is calculated with discounts for multiple purchases.    Worldwide shipping:     I sell a high percentage of my products over seas, so international shipping is not a problem.  I understand that international shipping prices can be expensive, so I lowered all my international shipping prices at my own expense.  Plus with the weak dollar, buying from the USA is a great deal right now.   You don’t have to wait—Buy It Now or Make an offer! Thanks for looking!   Here are two reviews from teachers who used my Camera Obscuras   in their classrooms:   I teach History of Photography at a photo course, and I was very impressed that this beautifully crafted Camera Obscura can be purchased so easily. I have bought one to show to my students. This made explaining the principles of this simple yet amazing device far easier, and immediately captured both their attention and imagination. From that point, examining the different technical aspects of photography in their evolution was much more clearer and easier to understand, as this camera obscura is standing right at the base of photography, and all the photographic cameras today follow the same image forming principles.  I recommend Les Cookson’s Camera Obscuras to any photography teachers or anyone who is passionate about photography. You'll be amazed by this wonderful device and better understand the evolution of photography and the magic that happens inside any camera. Sincerly, Florin Vitzman, Photographer, Bucharest, Romania http://photo.net/photos/FlorinV     “As a Junior High photography teacher and professional photographer, I am constantly looking for ways to share my passion and excite my students about the art of photography.  Photography in itself is such a technical subject, but with the right approach, it can seem like magic.  I was able to bring a bit of magic into my classroom with the use of this wonderful camera obscura.  The students watched in wonder as moving image was replicated on the ground glass.  They just simply could not believe how such a simple contraption could capture a moving picture.  With the basic understanding of how a camera obscura works, my students were able to create their own pinhole cameras. Their amazement was contagious as they developed their first images.  My students can now explain with the utmost authority, how a camera obscura is the basis of photography, and how the modern camera, with all its bells and whistles, is really not that different from this wondrous little invention that captures light, movement, and magic.  Thanks for keeping the art of wonder alive!    Sincerely,  Karla Scarff  Powell Jr. High Art Department Head  Professional Photographer  http://www.KarlaScarff.com  Mesa, AZ”    More Reviews:     “The camera lucida that i purchased on ebay just arrived. Well packed and a job well done....better than I  expected. As a photographer, drawing teacher, photo history teacher and collector for 40 years, this is a joy to have. I wish you well and I thank you. Paul Check out the site ImagesinHarmony.com”      “Les Cookson offers some simple instructions on how to use his   Authentic Replicas, of the Camera Lucida, and Obscura.  Cookson's   instructions are clear, and show step by step the magic of CREATING   FINE ART, just like the masters used in history.  I am impressed at   his low prices, and the exceptional craftsmanship involved in   creating the different models.  I can't wait to see what other   items and models, he may come up with in the future.  The ease at   which one can draw or create with his, Authentic Replica's is   nothing short of wonderful, and no prior art education or   experience is required.    I am a licensed Psychotherapist in the State of California,   Washington, and several other States.  After my positive experience   using Les Cookson's Authentic Replicas.  I would recommend you find   a way to get either or both of his Camera Lucida or Camera Obscura   for you and your children, (vintage models can run into the   thousands of dollars, and take years for one to be accomplished in   using them.)    I wonder how many childhood Psychological disorders could have been   prevented, by Parents introducing their children to the fine arts.    Do yourself a favor of a lifetime and introduce yourself and your   family to Les Cookson's Authentic Replicas, Camera Lucida and   Camera Obscura.    Thank You,  Dr. Roy Hedrick”     Place a Bid!