gravureel

Gravureel, also known as Rotationslack or Röhrenapparat, was a type of German calotype camera used in the mid to late 19th century. This early camera was designed by the German optician E. F. Hering and his brother, August, around 1841.

The gravureel camera stood out from its contemporaries due to its unique cylindrical body and cellared lens. The design allowed for a high-quality, high-contrast print, hence its favor among German photographers of the time. It consisted of a wooden or metal housing that contained a sheet of light-sensitive paper, a lens, and a clockwork mechanism that facilitated exposures. This setup was considered advanced for the era.

This camera was primarily used to produce salted paper prints, which prior to this feature referred to photographs printed from photographic paper. This could range from 10 to 20 exposures, allowing photographers to make a batch of images at once. As the 19th century progressed, the gravureel fell from favor due to the improved techniques and models that followed.

While specific data regarding its disuse is plausible, an increase in competing devices would suffice in making the gravureel obsolete.