Are Victorian-Time cameras still used?

Question:This is a question out of curiosity:

I have read a few books and one character is a photographer and has inspired me to also be a photographer when I am older but he uses things like gelatin plates and all sorts of things. Can you still find camera set up's like that or big cameras with screens and a big stand?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: This is a question out of curiosity:

I have read a few books and one character is a photographer and has inspired me to also be a photographer when I am older but he uses things like gelatin plates and all sorts of things. Can you still find camera set up's like that or big cameras with screens and a big stand?

Definitely yes!! My tutor in the 1960's considered that 35mm was a toy and that his students should learn all the Knobs and Numbers by heart. Exposure and processing were to be learned so that we could take pictures in any conditions anywhere in the world with any equipment.Now I have adapted to 35mm and Digital imaging the same Laws of optics still apply and I can use 1860's cameras with home made backs and adaptors to take advantage of the characteristics of old lens,while still using the convenience of modern equipment.I mix 19th century lenses and modern Nikon and Hasselblad tools,using anything to acheive the effect I need as a tool of Expression.All too often our images are controlled by accountants and technocrats.I regard a knowledge of the past and acceptance of modern tools as weapons in my armoury as a sort of techno urban geurrilla artist!!

If you mean by Victorian-Time cameras as view cameras, then yes we do ... I have two ... a Sinar 4x5 view camera and a Calumet 8x10 view camera. They are primarlily used for shooting ads (although Playboy still uses an 8x10 camera for the center-folds)

I still use a plate camera and have several including a Kodak Specialist 3 model. Several years ago I build a copy of a Gandolfi camera, an exercise utilising the skills of a friend who was a time served cabinet maker. We both fully enjoyed the adventure and still use the camera today.