Little help with new Zone VI needed

[Martin Courtenay-Blake]

Having temporarily shelved my Kodak Specialist 2 rebuild/upgrade due to need to machine complete set of rack and pinion gears I have been looking around for a reasonable way into large format shooting. Good old Ebay UK turned up a completely new Zone VI at a good price. My wife felt her search for my Christmas gift was now resolved and duly purchased same.
It arrived in due course complete with all original packaging and outer carton. It is definately new (not that I was at all sceptical about the sellers description) but I thought I'd take a little peek before it was spirited away until the 25th. It is indeed a thing of considerable beauty...lovely warm wood with lots (and lots and lots) of sparkly brassware but.......no lensboard.
I had gained the impression from somewhere (probably the depths of this very forum) that a Wista or Linhof board would fit the bill and promptly called Robert White who can supply new boards from these two manufacturers."No, 'fraid not" I was instructed " Zone VI made their own, they went belly up some time ago and we don't have any". "Oh B*******!" I thought...repeatedly. "What do I do now? I know I'm sure one of the veritable sages of LF on the LFP forum will be able to help me. So veritable sages can anyone advise me as to what lensboards will fit my new 5X4 Zone VI and maybe point me to someone who can supply them.

Thanking you in considerable anticipation.
Martin

p.s. I live in Scotland so international shipping would probably be required.

[Kirk Gittings]

You said you Zone VI is new, but is it the latest version? Calumet Photographic bought Zone VI. It did not go belly up. Calumet has all the old inventory and continues to make many replacement parts as well as making an updated version of the Camera.

Also I am sure Richard Ritter could help you. He has some listed on his web site here:

http://www.lg4mat.net/pageparts.html

[Brian Ellis]

You also ask Richard Ritter to make a Zone VI-to-Linhof/Wista/Tachihara/Shen Hao/etc. adapter board. That way you wouldn't need to worry about finding a Zone VI board every time you acquire a new lens, you'd just buy one adapter board, leave it in the camera, and be able to use the much more common Linhof-size boards whenever you acquire a new lens.

[Brian Ellis]

Let's try "You COULD also ask Richard Ritter" etc. etc.

[Mark Sampson]

The Zone VI boards are 4" square, not enough room to make a Technika board adapter. The early Zone VI cameras, more than 15 years back, were re-badged Wistas that did take a Technika board. So you weren't exactly wrong... I think the 'Wista-style' Z-VI cameras were only sold for a short time before the current-style cameras were introduced.

[Eric Biggerstaff]

Either Calumet or Richard Ritter will have some. I don't know which wood your camera is made from but I know Richard has boards for the Black Walnut version which Calumet no longer has and these seem to be the most difficult to find.

You can check Richards website for pricing or call Calumet.

Also, these are very easy boards to make so you might give that a try as well.

[Bruce Barlow]

The Zone VI boards are 4" square, not enough room to make a Technika board adapter. The early Zone VI cameras, more than 15 years back, were re-badged Wistas that did take a Technika board. So you weren't exactly wrong... I think the 'Wista-style' Z-VI cameras were only sold for a short time before the current-style cameras were introduced.

Well, on the other hand I know Richard Ritter makes Zone VI-Tecknika adapter boards...

I don't know if he may even have one "in stock for immediate gratification." Sometimes it's easier for Richard to make several when only one has been sold, since that's a pretty popular item and he knows folks will take them off his hands.

[Martin Courtenay-Blake]

Thanks for the rapid responses. Kirk, thanks for the Calumet info. From the UK most of us would probably not think of looking there. I'll check both Calumet and RR to see what they can supply. The wood looks like cherry or something similar. It is quite light in colour. It is the later version with the "Manufactured by Zone VI Studios, Vermont etc. " plate on the front

I will be putting together a traditional 3 lens outfit using new lenses, probably 90, 150 and 210. I noticed on the Calumet site that the Caltar lenses were considerably better priced than native Rodenstocks here in Blighty (especially with current exchange rates). Are they the same lenses?

I also have a good collection of misc. older lenses such as a set of Ultragons from 105 - 210mm and various Wray, TTH and Ross lenses. I might just make up some homebuild lensboards to try these out. I'm fascinated by the older designs an no doubt the odd Artar, Dagor and Raptar will eventually wing it's way over here.

Once again thanks all

Martin

[Kirk Gittings]

Martin,

I've used a similar camera for years. Far from new, it has been thru the wringer but still works fine. I actually remade the lens stage slightly on mine to take Calumet metal boards so that all my lenses were equally usable on the Wide field and the ZVI. Hence the extension board on the 210mm you see, so that I can get extended range on the widefield and make a 210 useable.

[Ted Harris]

Further on the Zone VI to Wista/Technika adapter .... unlike the "board within a board" sort of adapter this is actually a solid piece that fits in side the front standard. I know it exists because I ahve one on my Zone VI. Mine was made by SK Grimes and installed by Richard Ritter but, as Bruce noted, Richard also makes them.

[Morten]

Zone Vi lensboards are FAR from rocket science.. So why not just get some black plexiglass (or something like it), and have it cut to 4x4, have the required hole drilled and sand down the inside?? I have several of those for my Zone VI.

Good luck!! Santa will be (has been) nice with you.
:)
Best Regards
Morten

[Lee Hamiel]

A seller has the S.K Grimes adaptor for 4x4 boards to Technika - see:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wisner-4x4-to-Linhof-Technika-lensboard-adapter-new_W0QQitemZ110065782511QQihZ001QQcategoryZ15247QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item110065782511

Good luck & enjoy

[Mark Sampson]

Happily I stand corrected. I never thought you could fit a Technika board on a Z-VI. They are almost exactly the same size. I'll have to get one of those adapters; I have 4 or 5 Technika boards that have been gathering dust for the last 14 years or so, since I bought the Z-VI. But that would mean new lenses to put on them...

[Brian Ellis]

The Zone VI boards are 4" square, not enough room to make a Technika board adapter. The early Zone VI cameras, more than 15 years back, were re-badged Wistas that did take a Technika board. So you weren't exactly wrong... I think the 'Wista-style' Z-VI cameras were only sold for a short time before the current-style cameras were introduced.

I know that Richard makes Zone VI > Linhof adapter boards because a friend of mine has one that was made for his late-model Zone VI. It works just fine.

[Louie Powell]

If your camera has "brasswork", it is not the latest version. Calumet introduced the "Zone VI Lightweight" about 10 years ago - it is mahogany wood, with black-annodized aluminum hardware. Functionally, it is the same as the previous gold-plated brass version, but it is noticeably lighter in weight.

As others have noted, you can purchase lens boards from either Calumet or Richard Ritter. Alternatively, if you have any woodworking skills, it's a simple matter to make your own. They are 4" square, 1/4" thick, with a 1/4" rabbet 1/8" deep around the edges on the inside. There is a page on the SK Grimes site that lists the boring diameter for various shutter sizes.

Incidentally, Zone VI did not go "belly up". Fred Picker sold the business and spent the rest of his life fly fishing. There is much to be said for enjoying retirement. Calumet subsequently was purchased by an English company who separated the marketing side from the Zone VI camera manufacturing arm. AFAIK, the shop that makes the camera is still in Vermont.

Curiously, however, if you visit the Calumet web site, they caution that Zone VI cameras are backordered with an anticipated delivery time of something like 26 weeks. That suggests that production is being done on a batch basis. When I bought my Lightweight in 2001, delivery from stock took about a week.

[Ted Harris]

Louie, AFAIK Zone VI cameras have not been made in Vermont for the past two years. Richard Ritter, Bruce Barlow and I often speculate on where they're made and if, in fact they are actually still made. My best guess is that Calumet was working off inventory and now won't source anymore cameras until they have an order of 'critical mass' whatever number that might be, likely 20.

[walter23]

I will be putting together a traditional 3 lens outfit using new lenses, probably 90, 150 and 210. I noticed on the Calumet site that the Caltar lenses were considerably better priced than native Rodenstocks here in Blighty (especially with current exchange rates). Are they the same lenses?


I've built a two lens set (90mm f/6.8 and 210mm f/5.6) from Caltar-II N lenses that I got on ebay. They are a particularly good deal.

Most of the Caltar-II N lenses are rodenstock lenses rebadged, though there are some exceptions. I think all the currently manufactured ones are Rodenstock. The Caltar-II N 90mm f/6.8 and the larger aperture version of same (f/4.5 or f/5.6, I can't remember which) are Rodenstock Grandagon 90 lenses. They are exactly the same lens; same coatings, same optics, same quality control, etc. The longer ones are typically Rodenstock apo-sironar N lenses - so my Caltar II-N 210mm f/5.6 is exactly the same lens as the apo-sironar N of the same specs. There are other Caltar lenses from other manufacturers but it's usually pretty easy to recognize them by comparing images (and there are tables somewhere online if you look around) and doing some web searching (especially on these forums).

The only difference is the badging on the barrel - everything else is identical. Even the serial numbers are in series with Rodenstock so you can look up the date of manufacture on the rodenstock list (can't remember where that list is either, but you can google it).

These usually go for $200 less than the Rodenstock branded equivalent, which is silly but fortunate for someone like me because they're exactly the same lens and this represents a great way to save money on very nice glass.

If you don't feel like buying used I wouldn't hesitate getting a new one from Calumet, but for the sake of comparison I got my grandagon 90 for $400 and my 210 for $200. Look up those same lenses on Calumet's website (I think they're around $1000 a piece) - I got my two for $600 all told, almost half the cost of a single new one. Granted they are used and from the mid 1980s - one has a bit of dust on the shutter mechanism, the other a tiny hairline scratch on the front coating, but neither issue affects anything about their function in the real world and they're basically mint lenses and function as such. These things are built to last and people typically take good care of them.

I'll probably fill in my kit someday with a convertible 150/265 schneider symmar if I can find one at a good price. If Calumet had these I'd get the caltar one too. The irrational brand allegiance of other people is my bargain ticket. I wouldn't be proselytizing if I were still in the market for my 90 and 210 caltar lenses; wouldn't want to drive up the bids on ebay ;)

[Eric Biggerstaff]

OK, I called Calumet today and was told that as of last week, all Zone VI cameras have been discontinued and will no longer be made. There MAY be one or two in their used department.

So, we better support the few companies still out there!

[Martin Courtenay-Blake]

Just spotted a 150mm Caltar II-N on Ebay so I'll keep an eye on it. Looks in great condition. Not averse at all to used lenses but would like a nice newish one to go with the new camera.

Sounds as if making my own lensboards shouldn't present any great problems so I'll knock up a batch for my ever growing collection of barrel lenses.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice

Martin

Just a thought but if Calumet have discontinued the Zone VI camera line one wonders if the name and design rights may be available for someone to buy at an advantageous price.

[walter23]

There are also Sinar branded lenses by rodenstock. The one I know of for certain is the Sinar Sinaron-S 210mm f/5.6. I think the 150mm of the same naming is also a rodenstock. These usually fall somewhere between the caltar and the rodenstock in price - sinar being a more desirable name :)

Something to watch for though; you may find a bargain. Just watch for those pesky DB lenses (no shutter on the lens).


Just spotted a 150mm Caltar II-N on Ebay so I'll keep an eye on it. Looks in great condition. Not averse at all to used lenses but would like a nice newish one to go with the new camera.

[Bruce Barlow]

"Just a thought but if Calumet have discontinued the Zone VI camera line one wonders if the name and design rights may be available for someone to buy at an advantageous price."


Probably not. Fred's heir tried to get the master tapes for Fred's videos to reissue them on DVD, to which he was entitled under the agreement selling Zone VI, but got no cooperation from Calumet. There's little hope that Calumet would allow a competitor to resurrect.

As far as design, Richard Ritter, if he does well with his ULF cameras, is itching to make them in "smaller" sizes, such as 5x7 and 8x10 (I honestly don't recall if he mumbled "4x5"). With his carbon fiber tubing bed and just his overall experience building and fixing cameras, they might really be something special, and a big improvement over the Zone VI. I don't know when, or even if, Richard will undertake making "small" cameras.

So maybe we should all buy a ULF from Richard so he'll make cameras we can more easily use...? Just kidding.

[Ted Harris]

To expand a bit on Bruce's post, Calumet is a quirky company. No question that their business modelis shifting toward more concentration on consumer photography and if that is what the need to do to stay in business, so be it. OTOH, they are very reluctant to turn unused assets into $$. It's not just the rights to the Zone VI name and the various Zone VI products, designes, tooling, etc. lying dormant in their warehouses. They appear to have taken the same stance on sheet film holders. As the owners of the company that makes Fidelity, Ritway, Lisco holders they have a near corner on that market but they are not making holders anymore, just assembling them from existing parts stock (which is huge). They have basically shut down the manufacturing plant but have been reluctant to sell the asset to someone who would continue to manufacture.

[Scott Davis]

Another annoying bit is that they won't sell 5x7 film holders- I guess they ran out of parts inventory, and so aren't "producing" any more. I know I would have been very glad to buy some new plastic ones instead of playing the fishing game on Ebay trying to get some used ones in clean condition for less than a right leg, a year's income and a left testicle in exchange.