1960 Prices for Press Cameras

[Bill_1856]

Does anyone have the late 1950s-early 1960s prices of the following 4x5 cameras: Pacemaker Crown and Speed Graphics, Technika IV, Super Graphic, Busch (Tower) Pressman model D. TIA.

[Conrad Hoffman]

My 1956 Peerless Camera catalog lists the Pacemaker Crown Graphic Outfit for 199.95. The Crown Graphic body only price was 196.95 (the outfit was a special deal). The Speed Graphic body only was 240.95. The Super Technika body only was 329.75, or 610.60 with universal back and three lenses, 90mm f/6.8 Angulon, 127mm f/4.7 Press Xenar, and 240mm f/5.5 Tele-Xenar, all in Compur shutters. That's all I've got. Also, just for grins, the 'blad with f/2.8 Tessar was 379.50 and the exciting, revolutionary, all new, Leica M-3 with an f/2.0 Summicron was 447.00, or only 348.00 with an f/3.5 Elmar.

[Bill_1856]

Thanks Conrad.

[Eric Wagner]

I have a 1961 "Popular Photography Directory & Buying Guide" that lists the Pacemaker Crown from $312 depending on lens, the Pacemaker Speed from $370 depending on lens, the Super Speed at $450 for the body only, the Technika IV at $500 for the body only, and Busch Pressman D at $169 for the body only. A 135 f4.7 Xenar in shutter listed for $70. Multiply by 6 for an approximate conversion to today's dollars.