The Prestwich Manufacturing Company was founded by British engineer and inventor John Alfred Prestwich in 1890. Prestwich was just 20 years old when he founded his company and initially produced electrical fittings and scientific instruments. In 1896 Prestwich teamed up with William Friese-Greene to co-patent and construct a projector, and shortly after Prestwich began designing cine cameras. He went on to create ‘some of the finest cinematographic apparatus of the young motion picture industries first decade.’ By 1898, Prestwich Manufacturing Company was considered the most important and reliable manufactures of cinematographic apparatus, having nine different cameras and projectors available for sale..

Prestwich Model 1

The first camera produced by Prestwich, was the Model 1 starting in 1897.

A hand cranked cine camera for darkroom loading 35mm film in 70 foot rolls. It gave access to an adjustable sector shutter and could be adapted for printing with light trapped slots at the top of the camera and below the lens board. The Model 2 added daylight loading and the Model 3 increased the daylight loading capacity to 500 feet.

Prestwich Model 4

The Model 4 was introduced In 1898. A completely new camera, with Its film boxes mounted externally on the top and rear of the body. Prestwich’s Model 4 Camera, was considered the most advanced camera available. It was a new design, forgoing the intermittent movement of the film being effected by an epicyclic sprocket. The Model 4 employed a new claw mechanism along with a single, centrally-placed, continuous sprocket wheel acting as a combined feed and take up sprocket. The camera was supplied with four external film boxes, either 75 feet or 500 feet in capacity and either could be attached in daylight. The Model 4 also doubled as a Printer.

Prestwich Manufacturing Company exhibited all nine of their models of cameras and projectors…but the best was yet to come.

The “Prestwich” Camera

The Prestwich Kinematograph Model 5 cine camera for 35mm film became Prestwich’s most popular model. It contains two 400 foot internal wood magazines. It is hand-cranked with two eight-frame-per-turn shafts and one single frame shaft. The film drive is by two continuous sprockets and claw intermittent. The camera has a footage counter and a film punch, with brass tripod plates on both the top and bottom of the body. It has a viewing tube in the rear center of the body that runs between the film boxes on the inside of the camera. It allows viewing of the image on the film for critical focus and framing. The door lock key is kept on the rear panel hook and remarkably is still in its place. Inside the left door, there was space to store additional tools. Small leather straps kept them in place during transit. A brass dovetail plate was optionally available to hold a side finder and all the corners were bound by beautiful brass plates. It was a tropical camera that could be used in any environment.

The Prestwich’s attention to detail and quality of build is what sets it apart. It starts with the beautiful solid Mahogany case which was hand crafted by a local cabinet maker. The solid heavy duty brass fittings and exceptional design aesthetic make this one of my favorite cameras.

Model 5 Lens Box and Shutter

One of the many unique features of the Prestwich is that the variable shutter is located outside the camera body. The lens is mounted on a small hinged box on the front of the camera with a set of brass hinges and a unique set of sliding lock mechanisms above and below the lens box, presumably to keep the lens precisely aligned with the film gate. When unlocked the lens box swings away from the body to adjust the shutter. This handy chart was mounted inside the door for quick reference by its previous owner. This Prestwich Model 5 is serial no. 2067 and was purchased with a Carl Zeiss 50mm Lens and a C.P. Goerz 1-5/8’ Kino-Hypar Lens.

THE well~known and widely used Goerz Kino Hypor lens has met all the exacting requirements of both studio and field motion-picture photography. Its optical construction has been recalculated to afford the most microscopic definition over the standard motion-picture size. The Goerz Kino Hypar lenses are free from flare and coma, scientifically tested, adjusted and fitted to iris diaphragm barrels. All motion-picture cameras now on the market can be fitted with Goerz Kino Hypar lenses.

Tyler Apparatus Company

PRICE LIST OF CINE STUDIO APPARATUS

The Prestwich

Patent Kinematograph Camera

MODEL 5.

This camera was designed to meet the wishes of those who desire a self-contained instrument. It is more convenient in some respects than the Model 4 for photographing "stage" scenes or taking "trick" films.

The claw" movement is the same as in our well known Model 4. By an improved method of making the spindles and bearings the long life of this movement is enhanced.

THE CHIEF FEATURES ARE:

The Film Boxes have a capacity of 350ft., and are attached inside the camera case,

A Focusing Tube is provided, allowing the film to be viewed from the rear.

The Gate and Back of Film Race are detachable.

The Mask is removable to enable others of special shape to be inserted.

Two Eight Picture Sprockets feed and take up the film, forming a loop in the film at top and bottom of the "Gate." The handle is attached direct to the Sprocket Shafts, and thus gives eight pictures to each turn of the handle.

The camera may be turned upside down if desired.

On the "driving side" there are three spindles on which the handle screws. The bottom one gives forward movement to film, the top one being used when it is required to run the film in the reverse direction for trick subjects. The intermediate spindle gives one picture to one turn of handle.

A Film Indicator up to 300ft. is fitted.

The case is of best Spanish Mahogany, highly polished. All corners are brass bound.

It is smaller and lighter than other instruments of this type. Finest workmanship and finish throughout.

THIS instrument is now so well known and used by so many of the well-known film makers, that any commendatory remarks are unnecessary.
The "claw" or "pin" movement is entirely different from any other on the market, and has never been equalled for accuracy, simplicity and durability. This camera being very simple, better results are obtained by those of little experience.

POINTS—The registration or spacing of the film is absolutely accurate. The system of magazine change boxes, which are fitted to the camera render it very convenient ; the standard sizes contain 400 to 500 feet of film (according to thickness), which may be exposed in short lengths on different subjects. An indicator is fitted to the camera for showing the quantity (in feet) of film used, the number being discernible while the machine is being, operated. The camera is very small and compact, weighs only 8lbs., and when packed in case with magazines is as portable as a half-plate outfit. If desired it can be carried in a square travelling case, with the film boxes fixed ready for exposure. In this form the travelling ease is rather larger than when the film boxes are carried detached, but is as compact and convenient as any other make with self- contained boxes carrying only 170 feet of film. The spacing of the pictures is absolutely accurate at all speeds. The accuracy of the spacing does not depend on any gears, cams, or delicate parts, and the accuracy is not impaired by constant use. All parts are beautifully made, the best gun metal and steel being used in construction, and case is of polished mahogany. The mechanism being fitted to a solid brass angle plate prevents any warping. The camera is therefore well suited for use in tropical climates. Used on most of the scientific expeditions and by the principal film makers throughout the World. Constructed on an entirely original principle ; weighs only 8 1/2 lbs. ; perfect registration ; simplicity of working; every instrument guaranteed; beautifully compact; perfection in workmanship; improved in detail.

In 1914, Australian cinematographer Frank Hurley also chose the Model 5 for the now infamous Shackleton Antarctic Expedition. Prestwich cameras were trusted in the harshest conditions.

The Patent Wars and an American Oak Prestwich Cinematographic Camera

Prior to 1900, Thomas Edison owned most of the major U.S. patents relating to motion picture cameras and projectors. Edison's patent No. 589,168 for a "kinetographic camera," originally applied for on August 24th 1891, was the basis for his claims.

From 1907 thru 1915 Thomas Edison and his Motion Picture Patents Company, or “Edison Trust” filed dozens of patent infringement lawsuits against others who tried to operate movie theaters or shoot films in the U.S.

Edison intended to monopolize the film industry in the United States and control all aspects of production, making it very difficult to purchase cine cameras during this period. Resourceful film makers explored all means to acquire motion picture cameras, including building their own cameras or importing parts from European camera manufactures and hiring local cabinetmakers to finish them. These “Patent War Cameras” were sometimes referred to as “blanket cameras” because between scenes they were put on the ground and covered with blankets to hide them from Edison’s private investigators.

As soon as the Patent Trust Company heard that someone was shooting a movie they would threaten court action. If this didn’t stop production they sent thugs to enforce what they felt was their rights. Many cameras were broken or destroyed during this period, so few survived. Original English made Prestwich cameras are quite rare today, and a Patent War Prestwich is unusual.

This “Prestwich” camera is a great example of a “Patent War Camera”. Its American Oak case is the dead giveaway, otherwise it’s a clone of the beautiful Mahogany Prestwich cameras made in England. A survivor, it’s in remarkable condition for a nearly 120 year old camera and It still shoots film today. After the U.S. Government broke up the Edison Trust, manufactures starting importing their cameras to America and it was much easier to acquire a camera.

PRESTWICH PATENT KINE-KAMERA Model 5

Advertising in USA

This Camera has been sold in the United States for many years and is well and favorably known among film manufacturers.

It is better adapted in some respects than Model 4 for studio work and trick pictures. It is generally recognized as one of the best all around Motion Picture cameras on the market.

The magazines are carried inside the camera and have a capacity of 350 feet each. The gate and back of film race are detachable and the aperture plate is removable so that different masks can be inserted.

Two eight-picture sprockets feed and take up film and three spindles are provided on the driving side, to any one of which the handle can be attached. The bottom one gives the film the normal forward movement.  The top one being used when it is desired to run the film in reverse direction for double exposures, etc.  The intermediate spindle gives one picture to one turn of the handle.

A film indicator showing the quantity of film used is fitted so that it can be read while operating.

The camera is made of the same high-grade materials as the Model 4, and all corners and doors are brass bound, making this outfit particularly adapted to hard and continued use in any climate. The finest workmanship and finish throughout is guaranteed.

Empire No. 3

Read more about the Butcher Empire No. 3 here, it’s really a rebadged Prestwich No. 5, sold under a different name.

Prestwich Model 5 Kineatograph, Serial No. 2067 Image Gallery