(Another) new Ebony!

[Paul O]

Hot on the heels of the 4x10 Ebony, there are now details on the Ebony website of a new Ebony 6x17 camera designed for use with the Horseman 6x17 roll film back. Looks a really nice camera - a 617 with movements!

[Nick_3536]

How much smaller then a 5x7 is this?

[Doug Dolde]

That looks like a very useful piece.

[evan clarke]

Hot on the heels of the 4x10 Ebony, there are now details on the Ebony website of a new Ebony 6x17 camera designed for use with the Horseman 6x17 roll film back. Looks a really nice camera - a 617 with movements!

This is pretty cool. I use a 45S with the Shen Hao 6x17 but it also allows me to do verticals without turning the camera sideways...Evan CLarke

[David Millard]

Does anyone know an approximate price for this camera? I'll call Jeff at Badger and post the info, if I don't hear anything in the next few days.

[alec4444]

Looks interesting. Question though - why would it "accept Horseman 617 roll film holders" if it's purely made for 6x17? Shouldn't that be included, or perhaps built in? Camera would seem kinda useless without it. Can't imagine custom ordering 6x17 holders, much less cutting down 2 1/4 roll film.....

--A

[Doug Dolde]

Jeff said no price has been set yet.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

Based on the price of the 4X10 ($4795 in mohagany, $5695 in ebony), the 6X17 ain't gonna be cheap. I suppose there's no other 6X17 that can do exactly what it does, though, although numerous other cameras and backs allready exist to shoot 6X17 film at a much more affordable price. I suppose if you want to impress your photographer buddies, though, nothing beats an Ebony... ;)

I wonder when they're gonna come out with an 8X20 and/or 12X20?

[Michael Alpert]

It would be especially nice if this camera had a hinged ground-glass frame, simliar to the Ebony 6x9 backs. But I'm not sure if that feature would be feasible. Also, I would think the ground glass would need a wide-angle fresnel, depending of course on the focal length of the lens. In any case, the new Ebony looks like a worthwhile option for photographers who want a dedicated 6x17 camera.

[Nick_3536]

In any case, the new Ebony looks like a worthwhile option for photographers who want a dedicated 6x17 camera.

Only if it's smaller then a 5x7 with the same Horseman back.

From the specs the 4x10 is the same weight etc of the 8x10. What's the point? Get the 8x10 and a reducing back. Or for the same weight get just the 4x10? :confused:

[Michael Alpert]

Only if it's smaller then a 5x7 with the same Horseman back.

From the specs the 4x10 is the same weight etc of the 8x10. What's the point? Get the 8x10 and a reducing back. Or for the same weight get just the 4x10? :confused:

According to the Ebony website, the 617 is 20x26x13cm, 3.0kg. The 57SUE is 30x27.5x13cm, 3.5kg. The SV57 (mahogany) weighs 3.0kg, the SV57 (ebony) weighs 4.0kg. So the 617 is smaller and a little lighter than the 57 ebony-wood cameras. The roll-film-size Horseman back is also smaller than the 617 Horseman back that is made to fit a 57 camera. If I were looking for a roll-film 617 landscape camera and did not want the option of 57 film, I think the more compact size of the Ebony 617 would be a plus.

[Doug Dolde]

Jeff just emailed me..."Cost of the 617s is $6995 this includes a modified Horseman back."

I cut and pasted it just to be sure I didn't make an error. Wow.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

Jeff just emailed me..."Cost of the 617s is $6995 this includes a modified Horseman back."

I cut and pasted it just to be sure I didn't make an error. Wow.

Ouch! Now that's conspicuous consumption!

[Paul O]

:eek: Sounds a lot, but here in the UK a Horseman 617 body and film back costs the equivalent of $5300 US Dollars - so now it doesn't seem so steep :D

[Ben Chase]

Jeff just emailed me..."Cost of the 617s is $6995 this includes a modified Horseman back."

I cut and pasted it just to be sure I didn't make an error. Wow.

Holy mother - 7 G's? I know Ebony's are probably some of the best wooden cameras made today, but I mean....come on.

[Doug Dolde]

Funny how the 4x10 actually costs less than the 617 especially the mahogany model. But 617 is certainly cheaper film wise and also to scan than 4x10.

[Ted Harris]

I'm scratchingmy head. If we are talking 6cmx17cm as it appears we are then I, for one, would not think as much about spending the $$ for a 617nEbony as I would for investing in a Noblex 175. I jus tsee no sense in a field camera that is limited to roll film use and when I do shoot panoramic I muc perfer the field of view that I get from a true 'panoramic' camera, e.g. a swing lens or swing body camera. Just ome opposite opinion.

[Paul O]

By way of an update, the 617 is now listed on Robert White's website with a price. If you think $7000 is steep, the UK price, converted to dollars is ... $10,300!!!!!!!!!! Yep, a cool £5300 GBP inc VAT .:eek:

[Howard Slavitt]

I know you guys are into LARGE format cameras, but why not take an Ebony 4 x 5 (one of the nonfolding ones that takes superwide angle lenses with ease), and stick at 6cm x 12 cm back on it, and then just use the central 4cm x 12cm swath for a panorama? It would be a hell of a lot cheaper. I'll bet the Schneider 38mm would cover 4 cm x 12 cm, and there might be a Rodenstock that would cover it too? It would be a hell of a panoramic camera, easy to use and carry, and relatively inexpensive to use given that it would take roll film. . . . Hell, I might do just that.

[Aender Brepsom]

Although you can only use lenses in a restriceted range of focal lengths (approx. 72mm - 150mm and even 210mm) with those chinese 6x17 backs for 4x5" cameras, I think that they are well worth considering for anyone who only shoots 6x17 occasionally and/or who cannot afford such an expensive Ebony. Moreover, such an equipment is far more versatile as it allows you to shoot 4x5", 6x17 and, with a dedicated RFH even 6x9, at much lower costs.

[Paul O]

Aender I agree. I (happily) use the Art Panorama 6x17 film back with my Ebony 45SU. Despite the extra weight/bulk/space in camera pack required it is still excellent value. But, for a purpose-built 6x17 camera that new Ebony would be VERY nice :)

[Andrew_4548]

Go on, Paul, you know you want one... ;)








And then we'll all have a play with it at a workshop :D

[Robert Skeoch]

With the new additions to Ebony's website I've up-dated my website and added the prices on the new cameras.
These prices are in CANADIAN dollars since I'm the Canadian dealer.
The SV Wholeplate in mahogany is $8400
The 617s in Ebony is $7200
The SW410 in mahogany is $5000
The SW410E in Ebony is $5800

I've had a fair bit of interest in the whole plate camera which I find interesting and surprising. Ebony will be making wholeplate film holders as well but no pricing yet.
-Rob Skeoch
www.bigcameraworkshops.com