question about 20x24 camera

[bobo the monkey]

Hello all....

I have a question about buying a 20x24 camera. I found someone selling one and I found that they were originally asking, starting bid, $10,000 for it. That seems a bit much to me for a 20x24. I could be wrong though.

I am a student and would really like to buy one. When I had email the people, I didn't know they had been asking $10,000 for it. They said I could make a reasonable offer for it and we could go from there. I don't know what a reasonable offer would be. It is the camera, tripod, tripod head, dolly, 3 film holders, 600mm lens, and a case. It is a Wisner handmade camera. What would be a reasonable asking price for such a camera?

[Gem Singer]

$10,000, (including lens and accessories)?

If you think that's high, you will probably experience "sticker shock" when you find out the price of a sheet of 20X24 film.

[Tracy Storer]

The Wisner 20x24s were $9K new, $600 per holder, and the Fuji 600-c lens is $1400 new, Ries tripod and head $850-1250 new-depending on model, the Bogen/Manfrotto dolly Wisner used to order was I don't know, $150?
That's $13200 - $15000 + new for what it is, except, he's probably done making them. There are a couple other makers now, Canham, Chamonix, Ebony, Richard Ritter and myself.....all but Ebony and Canham are less than the Wisner.
Feel free to contact me for more details if you like,
Tracy

[Steve Hamley]

This camera has been listed before, and $10K is not entirely unreasonable - IIRC the lens is a Fuji 600mm which is worth $1,200 or so used. 3 new film holders would be about $1,350 from S&S - used film holders this large in good shape bring relatively more than smaller formats IMO. That leaves them asking roughly 7,500 for the camera. I think a more reasonable price would be 8,000 for the lot, which means you'd need to start your offer lower.

Glazer's Camera lists Ilford FP4+ at $24 per sheet ($604.00 for a 25 sheet box, and it's in stock!), so it's like the fellow said about horses; "If you think a horse is expensive, wait until you start feeding it".

In the end, a $2K difference isn't much (especially when you consider that you usually can't just go out and buy one) when you consider the cost of film, chemicals (think gallons!), and printing paper. That is, $2K isn't that much if you really need one, or if you have a grant paying the bills!

Cheers, Steve

[GPS]

Considering the fact of having 3 film holders and the 600 fujinon lens with it is a reasonable offer. Considering the slight sign of their willingness to go down with the price ("make a reasonable offer") try to offer 9.000 $ and maybe you could have it for that price...

[shadow images]

I would say as a student you may want to look at a smaller format. Maybe not, some millionaires are students also.

[Santo Roman]

I say if you got the cash and can afford it, do it but make a better offer of like $7500 cash. Cash always talks. That and make sure the camera works, i.e. are the bellows ok? scratches on the lens?, shutter works good?, the whole deal. Then think about the film and the changing tent will need when traveling or have a specific room for it.

santo

[venchka]

...

Then think about the film and the changing tent will need when traveling or have a specific room for it.

santo

Harrison Jumbo tent is $250 plus the cost of the custom wings added at time of purchase. That would allow you to change your holders 4 times per box of film on a road trip.

Perhaps 12x20 would satisfy you? A 355mm lens will work. They are not as expensive as a 600mm lens.

Good luck!

[imagedowser]

Ditto on the 12 x20... Just paid $250. for 355 G Claron barrel. APO Nikon 610 covers 12x20, and available around the same price. More pleasant frame size to my eye, like 5x7 vs. 4x5 square. Film is under $200. for 25 sheets of Efke ...

[venchka]

GOOGLE Matt Magruder for some lovely samples of pt/pd and gum over pt/pd 12x20 prints. I have held a few of Matt's 12x20 prints. They are stunning. No doubt 20x24 would be equally impressive at substantially more cost and effort.