Upgrading to 11x14" any advices?

[abarrutia]

Hello there!! Long time lurker on this forum, I´ve learned alot about LF photography reading! Thanks for that!
I´ve been doing LF for along time, mostly 4x5 and 5x7, and in the last 2 years Ive been working on WetPlate with my 5x7 camera.
Thinking about going to 11x14 plates and I just wanted to know what could be a cheap option for it. The ideal would be an old Wood DryPlate camera with holders. What brands do you recomend and how much should i expect to pay for a camera plus a couple of holders? I dont need any movements on it. Could be a basic setup.
Thanks alot for your help!!

Agustin Barrutia

[Drew Bedo]

Advice? I don't hav any serious photographic advice . . .well, maybe these:
Chapist? There is a thread in the DIY forum on a fixed focus bnox camera in ULF. Another thread there is about someone's home-built 20x24.

I do have some lifestyle advice: Figure a way to dig up gold bars from your back yard.

[Steven Tribe]

The chances of getting hold of a reasonably priced old mahogany camera get very low when you get past the format 10x12".
Looking for an old (lightweight!) process/copy camera - with limited movements (if any) might be possible - but remember these must have plate holders or you will have to embark on a new "hopeless" search for these.

[abarrutia]

Thanks both for your advices.
Someone offered me one 11x14 no brand, with 1 holder and lens for 500euros. Its a field camera, no movements (some front rise and back tilt i think), and looks to be in good working order.
Should i go for it??

Thanks!!

[Steven Tribe]

"No Brand" cameras are very common. They were ordered from specialist workshops by retailers. Sometimes they were given an identity - sometimes not.
I have never seen a ULF mahogany travel or field camera from the era 1890-1914 that was poorly made or which used other than very good wood. This sounds like a tailboard camera, which is a very good design for larger formats.
Is this a book type holder for two plates or one with tambour/door that can take just a single wet plate?
This is certainly an OK buy - perhaps even very good, depending on the lens!

[Drew Bedo]

A ULF camera (in working order I hope?) for less than $1,000 US sounds pretty good to me. What does it have . . .and what does it lack? Does it have a lens, a ground glass . . .is there a way to mount it on a tripod or does it need a camea stand . . .all will factor into how good (or bad) a deal 500 Euros is for this item.