I have posted on this camera years ago in other forums and got different opinions as to the original Japanese maker of this very light field camera. I was finally convinced it was a Tachihara after seeing identical Tachiharas on auction sites. However now I see older Wistas on the auction site that also look identical to mine as well. In an old post somewhere a poster stated that in the end of the 70’s Tachihara and Wista cameras were made by the same craftsman and the cameras were badged for different exporters. Another poster speculated that Wista just took Tachiharas in a business arrangement and just rebadged the cameras as Wista. This was known as the Field 45.
Here is a description of my Zone VI camera that was sold in the late 70’s or early 80’s. The label reads ”Zone VI Studios, Inc. Newfane, VT 05345” on the left rail. All struts and knobs are chrome including a thin latch for closing. It has brass joiners on all the corners. The wood is cherry. It has self setting rise and fall, front and rear swings, and front and rear tilts. There is no back focus. It also has no shift capability. It has 12 inch bellows extension. It has a freznel /groundglass combo with “Wista” labled in the lower left corner. It weighs just 3.3 lbs. What is different on my camera is a circular bubble level on top of the camera. That may have been added by the previous owner but it looks to me this may have been mounted in Japan or at Zone VI.
The story about the early Zone VI cameras is that Fred Picker was not entirely satisfied with the original Japanese camera and that he modified the base and tripod mount to make it stronger as well as a few minor modifications. For the life of me I cannot see any modifications on my camera, except the bubble level, based on the pictures of early Wista and Tachihara Field 45’s. The base of mine has a 4 1/2 in square metal plate with two tripod holes, just like the other cameras. For what it’s worth there is a faint #13 stamped on the base when rail is racked out(one of the first models sold?)
So unless someone out there is more knowledgable and can provide more insight I have to conclude my particular Zone VI model is the same as the Tachihara’s and Wista’s Field 45. In an old Zone VI Worksop book this camera sold for $325 in 1978. They can be bought now on ebay for $500 to $600. I would not pay much more unless it were in absolutely mint condition. Many of them on auction sites go for a lot more, even 3 times more because of the Zone VI association. These are not to be confused with later and more refined(and heavier) Zone VI cameras like the Zone VI Wisner and Classic models. Still it’s a pretty good camera and while I don’t use large format exclusively I am quite pleased with this model.
Bookmarks