Want to buy 8x10 set-up used: is this possible for less than $1000

[John Kasaian]

I agree that it is entirely possible to put together an 8x10 kit for under $1,000 but it would be close. I've seen old 8x10s on ebay for under $500.00, if they are in working order or not would be the biggest issue. If you are a wood worker or have a friend who is, old woodies are pretty basic. The bellows and all those odd bits of hardware are probably the most expensive or complicated components to fix/repair. A Bender 8x10 kit would probably be your best bet unless you knew of an old 8x10 personally and could either inspect it yourself or have someone who knows something about lf inspect it--- and maybe shoot a few sheets in it as well. Other expensive components would be the lens and the tripod. Fortunately, there are plenty of old 12" and 14" Commercial Ektars out there, as well as wollensaks, tessars, and ilex paragons that will give you good to excellent performance in the $250-350 price range. Your can get barrel lenses even cheaper, but unless you have them mounted in a shutter you might not enjoy using one. Assuming your lens has a working shutter, a CLA by a highly recommended shutter repair shop would probably be in order but not you could probably put that off for awhile. You can use your light meter from your 35mm SLR if you have one, make your own dark cloth, and use inexpensive trays for developing and an inexpensive 8x agfa loupe for focusing too, that leaves a tripod and double cut film holders, both of which are available used. Get the sturdiest tripod you can find/afford! For holders, used wooden ones are availabe costing about $35-40 for two or three. Test them for light leaks by loading them with 8x10 enlarging paper and leaving them out in a brightly lit room. Return any that leak light to the place you bought them for a replacement (new liscos are about $120 for two new so going used offers a substantial savings if the used holders are usable)For cheap film, chemicals and paper get in touch with Freestyle Sales. Arista film and paper is good stuff and about as cheap as you'll find, they also have NACCO chemicals which are popular with high schools. They are very economical and are easy to mix liquids. I think freestyle also has good prices on Lee filters you might want to keep in mind for the future. Lets see , what did I leave out? A safe light? Try GE Guide night lights, two for about a buck at the drugstore. If you can get a good deal on the tripod and lens I think you'll be in the under $1000 price but it'll be close. Of course it will also be a heck of a lot of fun! GO FOR IT!

[David A. Goldfarb]

I think I paid around $550 for my Gowland 8x10" Pocket View, without lens, so I think you could definitely get started for under $1000, purchasing used.

[Brian Ellis]

While finding an 8x10 camera for under $1,000 isn't too difficult, you need at least the following at a minimum in addition to the camera: (1) lens; (2) film holders, three at a minimum for field work; (3) dark cloth; (4) tripod; (5) meter (8x10 film is too expensive to be guessing about the exposure, though you could get by with the meter in a 35 mm camera if you have one), (6) back pack or something else to carry everything in. Doing all of this for less than $1,000 isn't going to be easy. It helps that you're planning only on contact printing because that will let you use an inexpensive old lens - almost any old lens in good condition by a reputable manufacturer will give great results for contact printing. I'd guess $400 for any 8x10 field camera that's usable without needing any repairs or a new bellows, $250 for the lens, $150 for a tripod and head sturdy enough for an 8x10 camera if you're lucky. That's $800, leaving $200 for everything else - holders (used on e bay is a good source), dark cloth (some people use black T shirts), meter (tough if you have to buy a hand held meter but maybe you can get by with a 35 mm camera and lens though more weight and bulk isn't what you want with 8x10), and backpack (try a camping store - the camping packs are much less expensive than dedicated photography packs and often are more comfortable). On cameras, I'd disagree with the person who mentioned a Deardorff. They're great cameras but any Deardorff that costs in your price range of about $400 to $500 is almost certainly not going to be usable - even mediocre Deardorffs go for $800 or so and ones in good condition are well over $1,000. I'd look for cameras that were good cameras in their day but that don't carry the cachet of a Deardorff - Agfa Ansco, Fulmer Schwing, Burke and James, Korona, come to mind. You want to make sure the bellows doesn't need repair or replacement. Don't buy from someone who says something like "the bellows looks fine but I inherited the camera from my grandfather and I've never actually used it." On lenses, I have two old Wollensak lenses that cost about $250 each and they produce beautiful contact prints. There are many others out there, just make sure the shutter works properly - with large format lenses the shutter often represents more than half the total cost. Yes, you could try a barrel lens (a lens without a shutter) but since you're doing contact printing I think you should be able to find a lens in a shutter that doesn't cost more than $250 or so and not having to mess around with a barrel lens would be worth that to me. View Camera magazine carried an article a few years back on geting into 8x10 on the cheap. Reprints are available. I don't have the article handy but if you're really interested let me know and I'll dig it out.

[Jim Chinn]

It is quite possible. if you live in a fairly large city or in close proximity, there are probably annual or maybe monthly camera shows where regional vendors and collectors sell cameras. This is how I have bought all my LF cameras. Has the advantage of being able to inspect the cameras in person and negotiate the price. Also, contact any local camera or photography clubs in your area. You may find others leaving LF for digital or other reasons that have not yet disposed of their LF gear.

A tripod is critical to ensure no shake and provide good footing outdoors. An extended 8x10 is a large target for the wind, the sturdier the tripod the less chance of the camera blowing over. That being said, you a can spend hundreds on a new one. I would try to find a used surveyors tripod. While heavy, it will be relatively cheap and if you stick with 8x10 you can spend the bucks for new lighter one later.

As expensive as they are, I would try to buy new film holders. I have never had many problems with 4x5 holders, but seemed to have problems with used 8x10s. New film holders will eliminate variables and be easier to load.

I agree with others on lenses. Choose a focal length you are familar with or one slightly either side. I would read the various articles on the LargeFormat site about lenses before purchasing. Also go to SK Grimes site for excellent info about shutters and which ones to stay away from.

Finally, I would encourage you to go through the archives of this forum pertaining to 8x10 cameras and lenses. If you find a camera but have additional questions before purchsing, post them to this forum. I am continually amazed at the knowledge base available here and the willingness of so many to share their years of experience.

Good luck and enjoy,

[Matt Long]

Robert:

You should have no problem in meeting your monetary goal. I picked up an excellent Korona 8x10, complete with new bellows on eBay for $340. I purchased an extension bed from a fellow forum member (thanks again, Kevin) and constructed a lensboard adapter so I can use my Nikkor 300mm without removing it from its Wista/Linhof lensboard. While I already had the lens as part of my 4x5 system, I was able to jump into 8x10 (camera, ext. bed, holders, lensboard adapter) for less that $450.

One note when looking at eBay auctions -- be patient. Auction prices on eBay are extremely erratic. Sometimes complete junkers sell for exhorbitantly high prices while some real bargains go quietly unnoticed. I'm still kicking myself for sitting by and watching a Deardorf sell for a ridiculously low price. (Bad IRS, no refund!!) In my case, my Korona was merely advertised in the auction heading as a Gundlach view camera, and consequently did not attract many viewers.

Yes, the bargains are still out there -- just spend some time looking at auctions, retail stores, etc. and observing prices so that you are informed enough to react when that really great deal comes your way! Good luck in your 8x10 endeavours.

[Ben Calwell]

I, too, have an old Calumet C-1 that I purchased, with a Carl Meyer 300mm lens, for about $750 from Midwest a few years back. As I've mentioned before on this forum, I'm not inclined to use it much because of its weight. I think I bought it because I saw a Ries tripod ad in a magazine that showed Cole Weston using a C-1, and he looked pretty cool with it, and I wanted to look cool, too. Big mistake -- too heavy for me.

[Angie Bourdos]

Hello, I was looking for information on an old (VERY OLD) kodak camera and found you and this other article on an askjeeves.com search. I have this old camera if it would be of interest, my e-mail address is angie@caseroofing.com. The article of interest i thought you might be interested in is at www.smponline.org/essays/dpessay6.htm , Thanks Angie Bourdos

[Dave Moeller]

My total investment for the 8x10 setup that I started out with was less than $800. I got a magnesium Calumet C1 (not as heavy as everyone seems to think...not much heavier than my wooden Korona Pictorial View 8x10), a Nikkor 480mm f/9 process lens, a Packard shutter, a Berlebach 3032 tripod, a couple of used film holders (old wooden types from eBay), and I use two t-shirts sewn together as a dark cloth.

I've added more lenses and film holders over time, but I tend to be a "bottom feeder"; I look for deals on equipment and buy when the opportunity presents itself. I love old process lenses in barrels; the work fine for the type of pictures that I make (generally 2+ second exposures). They're easy to use with a Packard Shutter (I paid $16 for a fully functional shutter) and will even work with just a lens cap. And they're cheap because so many people want shutters.

This isn't the lightest camera in the world, but as I stated above it's not much heavier than my Korona Pictorial View (a camera I picked up for a song as it needed a full restoration...now that it's restored I'm having a hard time parting with it). The Calumet is worlds ahead of the Korona for solidity. I've used it in pretty windy conditions and it's rock-solid.

So, to answer your original query, you can definately get started for under $1000. You won't be able to do it with new equipment or top-of-the-line lenses in shutters, but you can put together a system that will is capable of exceptional work for significantly less money than you have.

Be well.
Dave