Wisner Manufacturing

[Robert McClure]

Michael Alpert,

It has always amazed me how the asking of the most innocuous of questions to this forum can, at times, stir so much emotion. Sometimes even anger.

I read the many and varied responses from interested, knowledgeable, and informed contributors. I have thought to myself that this is why I love this forum.

One who responded is, I think he had said, an engineer who runs his own company and seems to have a lot of experience in LF. Another publishes a magazine dedicated to LF photography. Another has articles in the above magazine, it seems, almost every issue. And he, like the others, appears to be an accomplished photographer.

I learned that Mr. Wisner is doing a workshop, that his site was updated the past week, and that Eric Rose is "tired."

From two contributors I learned a who lot about the LF market in general and about some specific manufacturers' planned offerings. I was thrilled to learn that there was so much going on with the 7x17 format, my own format of choice.

I mean, for a guy who is enthralled with LF photography and wants to learn all he can about all aspects of it, can you blame me for posing my questions here? I start a thread, and in less than 24 hours there magically appear comments and answers from a small crowd of really saavy folks.

My fourth grade teacher used to tell us there was no silly question.

[Robert McClure]

Michael,

Touche, Michael. You are entirely correct. Some of what I had written started down a path not productive (from my own perspective, actually, now that I reread it).

As for keeping to issues more closely related to the work of LF photography, I can certainly understand your perspective. You make a valid point.

But I observe that a certain measure of vitriol seems to remain in your above response. Subtle, but quite present. Which relates to my original comment about innocous questions stirring such emotion.

I ask another question, then. Why? Why are you so obviously angry about what I wrote? I am baffled.

Someone you don't even know asks a few questions on a forum and you become incensed.

I wonder how that anger manifests itself in your work. On the other hand, anger can actually be productive, I believe.

God, I love this forum!!!

[Robert McClure]

Michael,

Wow! I think you're right, Michael. My sincerest apologies if I have misjudged your remarks. But you are quite a writer.

Since you nailed me on my, more or less, technical mis-use of the forum (touche!), I will contact you offline to ask further questions.

Sincerest Regards,

[Todd Wright]

Being a Wisner camera owner myself I have ask myself the same question Robert openly asked on this forum. There are a lot of Wisner camera owners out there probably asking themselves the same. One question that for a while (years) has bothered me was what if Wisner goes out of business? From the post that I have read it sounds as if a camera of his breaks he may not work on it for the simple fact there has been a lot of post on him not answering the phone and even answering his mail. Then there is the question of if a shop ready exist? Would you feel conferrable sending him your camera with all that has been said in the past year?

All said I hope Wisner is around for along time to come, the type camera he builds is truly a work of art. If it weren’t for Ron where would the ULF camera be? He went out on a limb when he started building these big cameras when there was no one else.

As to the what if my camera breaks question. A few years ago some one told me about Richard Ritter. Richard has worked on my camera twice so far. Both times my fault. First time back the camera worked better then it ever had. Second time back he found a way of preventing the lens lock from coming undone and letting a lens fall off.

[Robert McClure]

Todd,

(You have discovered, as I have, that after the first day or so a thread on this forum is sort of like yesterday's newspaper. Oh, well ...)

I agree with you that Ron Wisner deserves considerable credit for what he did. He really was/is "Mr. Large Format," at least to my way of thinking.

If your (Wisner) camera breaks, fixing doesn't seem to be that big of a deal, considering the numbers of Richard Ritters and others who are ready and able.

Good Luck to You!

[Ron Wisner]

I rarely look at this forum, but happened to be here today for another thread and noticed this one. After twenty-five years in this business, I decided that fifteen employees and too many balls in the air was too much. I have other things I want to do. I also have serious concerns about the future of film. Thus, I decided to clean house, downsize and remake the business on my terms. I was also well aware that this would make for better customer relations, as things had just become too unwieldly. I sold our 5000 square foot building and built a new, two-story 1,000 sqft. building across town.

My decision to stop taking orders until every order and obligation is either refunded or shipped is stated on our website. I have kept that promise, having shipped product or refunded cash worth six figures since May, when I voluntarily stopped taking orders. There is very little left in the way of obligations except for some ongoing support such as lens boards and some holders, or specific cameras about which the customers and I have communicated (about four cameras).

If you have a repair that is under warranty, the warranty will be honored as long as I am breathing. Until the new shop is finished (we are still insulating and wiring), we are taking care of minor orders like lens boards and warranty repairs in our temporary shop. Email me before you ship any warranty repairs.

When the new shop is ready and we start taking orders again, it will be for existing customers only. No new customers. This includes established dealers. If you want one of our cameras and you have not done business with us, you will have to go through a dealer. The dealer will contact
us and ask if we are taking orders. We will only accept a limited number of orders per month. The cameras will be considerably more expensive and there will be fewer of them. The product line will also be smaller.

We will not accept deposits of any kind from any customer or dealer.

I hope this serves to answer your questions.

Ron Wisner

[Ron Wisner]

You are just making yourself look bad, Dan. Cheap shot.

[Gregory Gomez]

Thanks Ron for your candid response.

Let me give you an equally candid reply. Let’s see, you will be offering much less, charging considerably more, and refusing new customers who do not use a dealer. Well, that seems like the American Way. Why even try being competitive, right?

Instead of worrying about the future of film, you should be more concerned about the future of your business and the good will you have obviously lost.

Going forward, I guess Shen Hao will quickly be taking over a considerable portion of the large format market share, and I guess he’s not afraid to work hard or to charge a fair price either. Perhaps that’s the Chinese Way? I think Shen Hao will be putting you out of business in the not so distant future.

[Ron Wisner]

Let’s see, you will be offering much less, charging considerably more, and refusing new customers who do not use a dealer. Well, that seems like the American Way. Why even try being competitive, right?

Mr. Gomez,
Yes, I believe you have it. I am not interested in more market. I am interested in less market. I am interested in servicing my old customers who have stuck by me and whom I owe warranty support. I am interested in getting back to craftsmanship. Those who want it will pay for it. I am interested in taking more pictures.

[Anthony Hampton]

Well, I am certainly glad I came across this thread. I have wanted to get a LF camera for some time now. I had my mind set on one of the Wisner models, both for their beautiful craftsmanship and their quality. Unfortunately, I didn't get to order one before the website indicated no new orders would be accepted. In my opinion, Mr. Wisner is making a mistake. There are probably quite a few like me that would have been dedicated Wisner customers if we were able to purchase sooner.