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Helmetfire
25-Sep-2007, 09:33
Hello all.

I have decided it is time to try my hand at "real" photography, and have got my eye on a Tachihara 45GF setup from Badger Sales Inc, (http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=137). I'm in the UK, and the cost of all this equipment from Badger is about the same as I'd pay for the camera alone here. Now; before I get in touch with them to get an idea of the Air-Mail shipping cost, I need to know if any of you out there have any experience of this company.

So it's over to you.

Thanks in advance,
Chris.

Dave Parker
25-Sep-2007, 09:35
I myself have not heard of any problems with Badger, they hold a very high reputation in the camera business and lots of people purchase from them, you might do a search using the term Badger Graphics and you will be provided with several different posts about their company.

Dave

Kerry L. Thalmann
25-Sep-2007, 09:39
I wholeheartedly recommend this company without hesitation. I have made many purchases from them over the last 10 years and never had a single problem. Friendly, knowledgeable service, prompt shipping and great prices. When you call, ask for Jeff. He's their large format specialist and will gladly answer all of your questions.

Kerry

Nick_3536
25-Sep-2007, 09:43
Badger has been great with me. Reasonable shipping. Good products.

Gordon Moat
25-Sep-2007, 09:43
I bought my Shen-Hao HXZ45A-II from them almost two years ago. Since that time I have also made a few smaller purchases, like cable releases and Satin Snow ground glass. Very reliable, and quite reasonable on prices.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio (http://www.allgstudio.com)

Ron Marshall
25-Sep-2007, 09:46
I have purchased several new and used lenses from Badger and have always been completely satisfied. One of the few businesses that I can wholeheartedly recommend without reservation.

Jan Pedersen
25-Sep-2007, 09:50
Also bought my 4x5 Shen-Hao at Badger and get some of my film there to. Very quick to ship and great service.

Steve Caldwell
25-Sep-2007, 09:54
I just received a new Tachihara from Badger after waiting over a month for their latest shipment to arrive from Japan. Jeff was a pleasure to deal with, and though he was often difficult to reach by phone (Jeff is a busy guy), he responded to most emails within minutes. My order arrived well packed with no surprises. I'll gladly order from Badger in the future.

MIke Sherck
25-Sep-2007, 10:01
Lots of comments previously; try the search engine.

Summary: One of the best.

Eric Leppanen
25-Sep-2007, 10:04
Badger is great, highly recommended.

Jim Jirka
25-Sep-2007, 10:05
I have purchased from them in the past. Straight up knowledgable people to work with.
Highly recommended.
Jim

Ron Bose
25-Sep-2007, 10:06
Did you look at Robert White in the UK ?

Bruce Watson
25-Sep-2007, 10:08
I wholeheartedly recommend this company without hesitation. I have made many purchases from them over the last 10 years and never had a single problem. Friendly, knowledgeable service, prompt shipping and great prices. When you call, ask for Jeff. He's their large format specialist and will gladly answer all of your questions.

Kerry

Second. Excellent company. Jeff is da man.

Capocheny
25-Sep-2007, 10:13
If you do a search on the forum... you'll see lots and lots of very positive comments about Jeff at Badger Graphics.

Another great seller is Jim at Midwest Photo.

Both of these sellers have stellar reputations for both knowledge and service. You can't really go wrong in your dealings with Jim or Jeff. :)

Cheers

Jorge Gasteazoro
25-Sep-2007, 10:14
Badger is a reputable seller, you have no reason to be concerned.

Ted Harris
25-Sep-2007, 10:15
Like Kerry and Bruce, I have bought a lot of gear from Badger over many years. Along with Jim at Midwest, Jeff at Badger is one of the nicest and most knowledgable folks in the LF retail business. Great people to do business with.

Helmetfire
25-Sep-2007, 10:19
Did you look at Robert White in the UK ?

Thanks.

Yes I did have a look, but they are just to expensive compared to the US.

Ben R
25-Sep-2007, 10:24
I'm also in the UK, have ordered from Badger 3 times albeit for delivery within the US. The invoice arrived to my UK address 3 days after the order, couldn't be happier with the company.

OTOH, if you are buying to the UK then you will be paying shipping and VAT which can add up. Robert White do not feature the camera on their website anymore (just the 8X10) and they are the sole importer so you may not have a choice anymore.

Helmetfire
25-Sep-2007, 10:28
I would like to say a big thank you to all who have responded so far to my question; it would seem that I do not have to worry about Badger.
The amount of responses I have had so quickly have taken me by suprise, as I am used to waiting (sometimes days), when using my digital forums.

Once again...Thanks :)

Chris.

George Hart
25-Sep-2007, 10:31
Chris, I'm in the UK too, and I have obtained several items direct from Badger in the past 5 years. As the others have said, his service is excellent. Ben is right with the markup you are likely to experience! Not only shipping but a handling charge (even with Royal Mail), import duty, and VAT on top of the lot. Then the bank charge on the transfer or however you choose to pay. I usually budget for the extras totalling 25% more than the cost of the item plus shipping, and I'm happy if it turns out to be less!

KEK
25-Sep-2007, 10:43
I didn't have a very good first impression of the company myself. Went to the view camera conference when it was in rockford,il. and one of the things i wanted to see was quality of the chinese cameras. Went to the badger booth and asked to see the cameras and could barely get the guy to say anything(i was the only one in the booth at the time) he just pointed and sat is his chair behind that giant lotus camera they had there. I guess i didn't have enough $100.00 bills falling out of my pocket.

evan clarke
25-Sep-2007, 10:44
I am in Wisconsin and have been in Jeff's warehouse several times. He is excellent and completely reliable. Also excellent and great to deal with, Jim Andracki at Midwest Photo Exchange and he always has a good veriety of Tachiharas..Evan Clarke

Brian Vuillemenot
25-Sep-2007, 11:10
I highly recomend Badger Graphics- great selection, outstanding service, great prices- first class in every way. I've ordered from them numerous times for many years.

brandonjscott
25-Sep-2007, 12:05
I'll add my name to the numerous list of very satisfied Badger customers. I've purchased several lenses, cameras and accessories from Jeff over the past couple of years, and I couldn't be more pleased.

John Kasaian
25-Sep-2007, 12:41
I've only had top notch experiences with Badger Graphic---I buy all my Kodak and Ilford sheet film from them.

gari beet
25-Sep-2007, 12:50
Hi Helmetfire, this may be of interest to you? follow the links to used equipment-large format/panoramic. They have a used Tachi for about £350.
I have used them several times and have had no problems, they are very ptompt at mailing stuff out.

Cheers

Gari

https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm

darr
25-Sep-2007, 12:52
I have bought Ebony cameras, lenses and a used Leica from Jeff over the years (and a used Wisner come to think about it 8-9 years ago). All I can say is that "I am a returning customer."

Michael Jones
25-Sep-2007, 13:16
I've purchased more items than I am willing to admit from Jeff. Never a problem with price or description or anything else. Right up there with Jim at Midwest and Fred or Dennis at The View Camera Store.

Mike

Brian K
25-Sep-2007, 13:55
Badger is a first rate vendor and I highly recommend them.

Dave Wooten
25-Sep-2007, 14:58
Badger is first rate...their customers testimony upholds this...I don t understand the discussion...they have always stood behind their products and deliver...what more could a customer want? Keep up the good work Jeff and thanks for all the good past:)
Dave in Vegas

Ben R
25-Sep-2007, 15:38
Ffordes is a very good company, bought thousands of pounds of equipment from them and sold stuff through them too. Worth having a look.

david mcmahon
25-Sep-2007, 17:13
I too would highly recomend Badger Graphic. they are very knowledgable and helpful
when you have questions. If you are unsure about something just ask and they can usually set you straight.

Michael Wynd
25-Sep-2007, 17:33
Two years ago I bought a Shen Hao 4x5 from Jeff at Badger and was extremely pleased with the cost, delivery time and the emails Jeff sent me about availability and time to deliver. Late last year I ordered an 8x10 Tachihara, Nikon 300mm 10 film holders and two boxes of film. Unfortunately, I had to wait for the camera because they had just sold the last one in stock, but Jeff emailed me to let me know what had happened and when the camera did come into stock, he sent me another email to let me know that it had arrived. 4 days after that, all the items I ordered were sitting on my desk for me to play with.
Would I recommend them and Jeff, you bet.
Mike

naturephoto1
25-Sep-2007, 17:38
I bought my Toho Shimo FC-45X from Jeff and Badger Graphic. He arranged for getting me the Eccentric (WA Lens Panel for me when it came in from Japan) and sent to it to my home. I have also bought sheet film from Jeff and one shipment was sent via UPS for pickup in Oregon for my trip. Have had great luck with Jeff and Badger.

I have also had great luck with Jim from Midwest Photo. I was able to get some Ebony gear including a top hat system for usage with my Toho Camera and my Fuji f12.5 450mm C lens.

Both Jeff and Jim are very knowledgeable, responsive, and reliable.

Rich

Chris Strobel
25-Sep-2007, 17:50
Bought my Shen-Hao 4x5, a Nikkor lens, and Ries A100-2 tripod from Jeff at Badger.I also get my Velvia there.Good company.

riooso
25-Sep-2007, 18:14
Badger is the real deal. They get it right and they get my business every chance I can buy from them and I am in California.

Richard

David Crossley
25-Sep-2007, 19:23
Truly professional. Highest recommendation.



David Crossley/Crossley Photography....

Natasa Stojsic
25-Sep-2007, 19:28
Hello all.

I have decided it is time to try my hand at "real" photography, and have got my eye on a Tachihara 45GF setup from Badger Sales Inc, (http://www.badgergraphic.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=137). I'm in the UK, and the cost of all this equipment from Badger is about the same as I'd pay for the camera alone here. Now; before I get in touch with them to get an idea of the Air-Mail shipping cost, I need to know if any of you out there have any experience of this company.

So it's over to you.

Thanks in advance,
Chris.

I live in North America and Erope and my VOTE goes to Jeff at BADGER GRAPHICS


Jeff loves his Job and more importantly always has 90% everything in stock!!! including rare items such as Brand New 20x24 Ebony etc.

Anthony Lewis
25-Sep-2007, 22:06
I've bought a Toho and several Fuji lenses from Badger and had them shipped to Australia. Had a minor problem with one item and Badger organised repair promptly.
Highly recommend them. I buy most of my gear from States or UK. The only disadvantage is paying freight to return goods if there is a problem - but that is rare.

jetcode
25-Sep-2007, 22:47
Hello all.

I have decided it is time to try my hand at "real" photography, and have got my eye on a Tachihara 45GF setup from Badger Sales Inc, I'm in the UK, and the cost of all this equipment from Badger ...

Speaking of Badger - my 4x10 Shen-Hao just arrived from Badger - I highly recommend

Ross Chambers
26-Sep-2007, 01:26
I concur with the positive recommendations above.

I recollect that somewhere on the Badger site they indicate in their professional way that they are very straight up and down regarding pro forma invoices and values, and will not ship as "gift" or "sample" so if your country's customs, excise, sales tax or GST/VAT organisation normally intercept and charge for items over a certain value the PDF invoice sent promptly after despatch will help you navigate that particular bureaucracy, so be prepared.

Australian Customs charged me a service fee, despite my doing all the documents.

Regards - Ross

jetcode
26-Sep-2007, 02:23
I concur with the positive recommendations above.

I recollect that somewhere on the Badger site they indicate in their professional way that they are very straight up and down regarding pro forma invoices and values, and will not ship as "gift" or "sample" so if your country's customs, excise, sales tax or GST/VAT organisation normally intercept and charge for items over a certain value the PDF invoice sent promptly after despatch will help you navigate that particular bureaucracy, so be prepared.

Australian Customs charged me a service fee, despite my doing all the documents.

Regards - Ross

I sold a 6x17 to a French citizen who had to pay $740 in import taxes on a $2800 purchase.

ljb0904
26-Sep-2007, 11:37
I've gotten a number of things from Jeff at Badger Graphic and also highly recommend him. Last I looked they were out of Tachihara 4x5. An alternative would be Ted Bromwell who sells Osaka 4x5 (same camera, possibly different hardware, but everything works the same as I've seen) and he has those in stock, albeit they are slightly more expensive. Ted was excellent to deal with as well.

Ben Chase
26-Sep-2007, 12:13
I'll also recommend them. Good company to do business with.

P. Yee
26-Sep-2007, 12:26
I can recommend buying from Jeff at Badger sales too. Similarly, I have good experiences in buying from Midwest Photoexchange, if Badger doesn't have what you are looking for.

walter23
26-Sep-2007, 15:48
Badger is one of the most well regarded companies in LF photography. I know some people who also order other stuff from them at significant savings over B&H. Their customer service is absolutely phenomenal; I had a fairly long email exchange with them while sorting out my Shen Hao and accessories purchase.

Furthermore they were very quick to rectify a problem with shipping damage; I had a bag bellows arrive bent in half. I had the replacement in no time.

Jan Brittenson
26-Sep-2007, 20:22
I've bought almost all the new LF gear I've owned from Badger. Never had a reason to interact much with Jeff or anyone else there since I never had a problem. In fact, I'm waiting for my Fotoman 45PS to arrive from them, should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

r.e.
26-Sep-2007, 21:17
Now; before I get in touch with them to get an idea of the Air-Mail shipping cost, I need to know if any of you out there have any experience of this company.
Chris.

I've purchased from them and they are completely reputable.

William D. Lester
27-Sep-2007, 05:27
I live in Canada and routinely order from Jeff at Badger. The service has always been excellent.

David Millard
27-Sep-2007, 17:26
Jeff rules!

Gary Tarbert
29-Sep-2007, 00:39
SIMPLY THE BEST!!You can't go wrong dealing with Jeff at Badger ,first class my # 1choice for any new LF gear or film.cheers Gary

Bobf
29-Sep-2007, 04:14
Another one here in the UK who has bought from Badger without a problem. I imported my Shen Hao from Badger to here a few years ago. Took two days (one spent in customs). Do not forget to add postage, VAT and duty (typically about 4-6% IIRC for cameras/lenses) to the final cost.

The FedEx handling charge was under a fiver IIRC. I was invoiced for the handling, duty and VAT by FedEx a week later - which was a surprise. I don't know if this is normal or if they thought I was a company...

Bob.

CG
29-Sep-2007, 12:23
Badger?

Happy, happy, happy!

Best,

C