John Kasaian
28-Jan-2005, 11:52
I'm home nursing a cold and thought I'd see how much it would cost to put together an 8x10 kit for the benefit anyone who aspires to try the format. Lately we've seen 8x10 cameras go fairly cheap---Calumet C-1, Kodak 2D, Burk & James and Agfa Anscos seem to have been topping out near the $400 mark on ebay. Assuming the bellows are good, these are all excellent user cameras but it takes more than just a camera to go out shooting. With cosmic budget of $900 I went internet shopping to see what I could come up with and thought I'd post the results. With the exception of the camera, I've chosen to use well known suppliers with good reputations in order to give the buyer confidence that their purchases will be sound investments and not junk.
CAMERA: $400(or there abouts)---eBay. You might even find a C-1 at Midwest Photo for near this price. I checked and none are listed on the MPX website this morning but if you want to buy from a dealer, they are worth checking out.
TRIPOD: $168---CST from Southern Tool. Usually considered a real budge killer, even used tripods on eBay that will handle an 8x10 are pricey items. The cheaper used ones in dealer's inventory are more often than not heavy studio models unsuitable for field use and expen$ive to ship. The CST is a new wood survey's model, 16 pounds heavy and includes free shipping. You'll have to come up with a 1/4-20 thread adapter which should be readily available. I doubt a comparable Berlebach or used Davis and Sanford, while desireable, can be had for anwhere near this price.
LENS: $225---Turner-Riech Triple Convertible in a Betax#5 from Igor's Three focal lengths for the price of one---what a deal! OTOH, if you're coming from 4x5 you might aleady have a lens that will "translate" into 8x10 such as the 240 G-Claron or a Dagor. Or you might forego usung a shutter and get a $40 process lens and use a lenscap for long exposures.
FILM HOLDERS:---3 for $45---E.P.Levine has kodak woodies in ex. condition at $15 each.
LIGHT METER:---"sunny 16" is as budget concious as it gets I you don't already have one.
LOUPE: $5.49---Arista 8X from Freestyle. It looks like an Agfa copy.
FILM:$33.99 for 25 sheets---Arista.edu from Freestyle. You can even go cheaper if you don't mind shooting Ortho.
CABLE RELEASE: $5.49---Freestyle.
DARK CLOTH: use an old raincoat or sweatshirt.
TOTAL :$882.97 plus the cost of a thread adapter.
That will get you started in8x10. Shop around and you might come up with even better deals. Darn, this makes 8x10 sound pretty affordable! So what are you going to do with your tax refund?
CAMERA: $400(or there abouts)---eBay. You might even find a C-1 at Midwest Photo for near this price. I checked and none are listed on the MPX website this morning but if you want to buy from a dealer, they are worth checking out.
TRIPOD: $168---CST from Southern Tool. Usually considered a real budge killer, even used tripods on eBay that will handle an 8x10 are pricey items. The cheaper used ones in dealer's inventory are more often than not heavy studio models unsuitable for field use and expen$ive to ship. The CST is a new wood survey's model, 16 pounds heavy and includes free shipping. You'll have to come up with a 1/4-20 thread adapter which should be readily available. I doubt a comparable Berlebach or used Davis and Sanford, while desireable, can be had for anwhere near this price.
LENS: $225---Turner-Riech Triple Convertible in a Betax#5 from Igor's Three focal lengths for the price of one---what a deal! OTOH, if you're coming from 4x5 you might aleady have a lens that will "translate" into 8x10 such as the 240 G-Claron or a Dagor. Or you might forego usung a shutter and get a $40 process lens and use a lenscap for long exposures.
FILM HOLDERS:---3 for $45---E.P.Levine has kodak woodies in ex. condition at $15 each.
LIGHT METER:---"sunny 16" is as budget concious as it gets I you don't already have one.
LOUPE: $5.49---Arista 8X from Freestyle. It looks like an Agfa copy.
FILM:$33.99 for 25 sheets---Arista.edu from Freestyle. You can even go cheaper if you don't mind shooting Ortho.
CABLE RELEASE: $5.49---Freestyle.
DARK CLOTH: use an old raincoat or sweatshirt.
TOTAL :$882.97 plus the cost of a thread adapter.
That will get you started in8x10. Shop around and you might come up with even better deals. Darn, this makes 8x10 sound pretty affordable! So what are you going to do with your tax refund?