LF current bargains?

[Phil Erickson]

Hi all,

As the digital/analog shakeout occurs, I've been fortunate enough to take advantage of the wholesale dumping of darkroom equipment and grab things here and there, to the point where I am comfortably set for a while in that department. I am wondering whether a similar equipment selloff is going on in the LF regime, though. I'm not as sure there since many fine LF cameras and lenses are decades old and capable of truly fine work, so maybe there is no 'fire sale' mentality to try and capitalize on. I'd be interested in other opinions though from those who have followed trends more than I have, especially from those bottom feeder inclined folks like me who have limited budgets. I don't want to miss a window of opportunity unless of course one doesn't exist!

Cheers.

[Frank Petronio]

Bottom feeder? I try to sneak under the bottom.

Hasselblads and other high end medium format cameras and lenses are at an all time low price because digital is really eating up their old market. Most new large format gear is being sold to serious amateurs, and they prefer field cameras and smaller lenses. So the large, heavy metal studio cameras - Sinar Ps, big Linhof and Toyo monorails, etc. are inexpensive, as are some of the larger, longer lenses.

Graflexes and Graphics continue to be popular inexpensive introductory cameras, but the old Calumet Orbit "curtain rod" monorails are really cheap - sometimes under $50. Add a "no-name" single coated Orbit or Ilex lens from the 1960s for another $50-$100 and some ratty holders - it is fairly easy to put together a servicable outfit for around $200.

[Victor Samou Wong]

Just picked up a korona 5x7 camera on epay for less than 50 buckeroos. Thank goodness for people who can't write ads and post truly awful pictures.

Much to my suprise, the bellows were actually in really good condition, in the pics they looked shredded, but it was just dusty. To wit, it did need some help with various things: Stripping some crud that someone taped onto it for no good reason. The leather handle is missing as well.... good bit however is that it comes with a nice bright clean grid back.

Cheers

[MIke Sherck]

Monorails are particularly good deals at the moment (speaking in general terms, of course!) They're less popular than folding "field" cameras so command a lower price. In particular, check out prices for older Calumet 4x5 models: many don't sell because they're priced far beyond the market but you can usually find a camera for less than $100. Other monorails are similarly discounted: Arca-Swiss and Sinar fans I've spoken to are disgusted by the comparatively low prices their favorites are bringing, but the market has spoken and currently values a beat-up Tachihara as approximately equal to a good condition Sinar.

Prices for generic 150mm and 210mm lenses have stabilized over the past couple of years; there aren't many "cult" lenses here, these were the focal lengths in which a lot of lenses were sold, so I suppose that's to be expected. Longer focal lengths are more expensive (as always) but I personally believe that longer plasmats are a relatively good deal because they're larger, heavier, and many folks want smaller and lighter lenses for backpacking.

[Ben Calwell]

I wish the prices of used Dorfs would come down. What is it with these cameras? From my observations, those things seem to go for a minimum of $1500 and up. Anything over a grand, and it might as well be a million, as far as my budget goes. As far for enlargers, I would love to have a Saunders variable contrast 4x5 one, but the last time I checked, they are still way outside my price range.

[Frank Petronio]

Dorf are incredibly overpriced. Look towards older stuff like old Agfas 8x10s and Kodak 2-Ds ($200) and the like, or the $800-ish Kodak Master View (vastly better than Deardorf).

[Mark_3632]

Where are you finding those 8x10s for around two hundred. I have not seen one of these go for less than three when I bid. I know, still pretty low but the price seems to be going higher and higher.

I am patient though.

[Frank Petronio]

Just guessing, read my other posts and you'll see that I make half my stuff up. I wouldn't buy one of those nasties myself unless I was going to dunk it in acid and rebuild it into a practical camera.

I did get a nice older 8x10 Arca-Swiss for $300 but that is another story. I saw an 8x10 Sinar F go for under $800 on eBay last month though, and one with holders and a 300 Symmar - nice outfit - went for only $1200 a week ago. Remember, this stuff was priced like a car just a few years ago.

[jnantz]

i used to always scour FEEbay using the seach string " old lens " or " brass lens " + " old "
and found lots of nice stuff that way. i had been watching prices of verito lenses for about 8 months
and realized that $400-600 was beyond what i could afford until i did the good ol' search and found one
in pristine condition with the leather lens cap ( "let the user judge" still embossed on it in gold leaf ) shipped for $170 .

lots of good stuff-cheep-still out there

[David Van Gosen]

Got my B&J Orbit 8x10 (a rebadged Calumet C1) for $300 not long ago with BuyItNow. Stuff's around if you look hard enough.