Working on my New Year’s resolution? No, just going through all my wet plate gear, and accessories to see how I can lighten the load.
First off I am switching out the legs on the dark box. The ones I have currently are maple. Well made , but a little too heavy. Glued up some white pine the other day to see if I can make a lighter set.
My next project is to get a new set of bellows made for my other 8×0 camera, a Kodak Century that I purchased years ago. In beautiful shape, but missing bellows.
The wooden framed camera is about a quarter the weight of my other 8×10, the Kodak commercial view, which has a metal frame and bed. A very nice camera, but also heavy.
The chemicals, and plates are another story. A stack of tintype plates can add a few pounds, the glass for ambrotypes even more. I think it will be a matter of dividing up my supplies, packaging them, and having them mailed to me as I travel. Much like hikers do whilst walking the Appalachian trail.
More chemistry has been ordered. Silver nitrate, and gum sandrac to make more varnish. Have also ordered more fabric to make a better, and hopefully lighter hood for the dark box. Will post photos as I progress.
Post script:
Found some nice new cloth. It is both lightproof, and light! Between the new pine legs, and this cloth, I shaved six pounds of weight.
Webster’s Wet Plate 
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