Estimate of Value of Wisner 5x7

[Brian Ellis]

A friend has asked me to help her sell her Wisner Tech Field 5x7 camera with 4x5 reducing back and bag bellows. She inherited the camera, says it's in mint condition (I haven't seen it yet), wants to sell it, and doesn't know how much to ask. I don't either, not being current on the prices of 5x7 cameras in general and Wisners in particular. I've looked on the completed sales section of ebay and see only one Wisner that's sold and it was a 4x5. I've looked at the web sites of a couple LF dealers and don't see any Wisner 5x7s for sale. If anyone could give me an estimate or your best guess of a fair price for her to ask I'd appreciate it.

[Brian Vuillemenot]

There was a Wisner 5X7 TF on the Bay a few weeks ago. It came with both 4X5 and 5X7 backs and a few extras (lensboards, etc.). It seemed to be in pretty good shape. It went up to about $800 and change at the end of the auction, not meeting the seller's reserve.

[Donald Miller]

I paid $1650.00 for mine a year and half ago. That camera equipped as you described would sell for $3500 when Wisner was still making them.

[Phil Hudson]

As the happy owner of two Wisners (8x10 and 14x17) I would (obviously) caution against selling it too low just because Wisner is out of business.

The sort of backup needed with this sort of camera is always available through skilled repair persons, many of who frequent this forum and all of who are likely to be faster to deal with than Wisner himself ever was.

There are a great many quality products that are no longer protected by their manufacturing or support companies (Rollei springs to mind) but that takes nothing away from their intrinsic value.

Perceived value is more tricky.

[neil poulsen]

Here are some examples that I found. All appeared to be in pretty nice condition. The search condition was (wisner*, zone*).

Zone VI (Early Wisner version). Did not sell at $929. [290429076543]

Wisner Tech Field. (Included red bag bellows, 4x5 but not a 5x7 back, 5 boards.) Did not sell at $999. [120562356105]

Wisner Technical Field. (Include both 4x5 and 5x7 backs, red bag bellows, G.G. protector.) Could have sold at $860. (Reserve not met.) [130385155033]

Zone VI (Wisner style) 4x5 camera. Sold for $434. [300420802782]

Zone VI 4x5 (Early Zone VI Wista version). Sold for $503. [350347092641]

Wisner Technical Field with 4x5 back. Failed to sell for $1175. [160425641724]

Zone VI (like Wisner Traditional). (Had 4x5 back.) Sold for $434. Failed to sell for $570. [Canadian auction, 280494280718]

Zone VI 4x5 (Early Zone VI Wista version). Failed to sell for $930. [290425627087]

Zone VI 4x5 (Fred Picker, post Wisner version). Sold for $583. [350341403692]

[Brian Ellis]

Here are some examples that I found. All appeared to be in pretty nice condition. The search condition was (wisner*, zone*).

Zone VI (Early Wisner version). Did not sell at $929. [290429076543]

Wisner Tech Field. (Included red bag bellows, 4x5 but not a 5x7 back, 5 boards.) Did not sell at $999. [120562356105]

Wisner Technical Field. (Include both 4x5 and 5x7 backs, red bag bellows, G.G. protector.) Could have sold at $860. (Reserve not met.) [130385155033]

Zone VI (Wisner style) 4x5 camera. Sold for $434. [300420802782]

Zone VI 4x5 (Early Zone VI Wista version). Sold for $503. [350347092641]

Wisner Technical Field with 4x5 back. Failed to sell for $1175. [160425641724]

Zone VI (like Wisner Traditional). (Had 4x5 back.) Sold for $434. Failed to sell for $570. [Canadian auction, 280494280718]

Zone VI 4x5 (Early Zone VI Wista version). Failed to sell for $930. [290425627087]

Zone VI 4x5 (Fred Picker, post Wisner version). Sold for $583. [350341403692]

Thanks Neil and to others who responded.

I didn't search for Zone VI because I forgot about the Zone VI/Wisner connection. Thanks for bringing it to my attention though I'm not sure how comparable the Wisner/Zone VIs were to Wisner Tech Fields. Either way, the prices for Wisners these days seem depressingly (for my friend) low. I don't know whether that's because uninformed people think repairs won't be available or whether Ron's reputation for inconsistent quality causes people to shy away or whether it's just the general state of the LF market these days or all of the above.

[Gem Singer]

Wisner Tech Field and Zone VI cameras are not exactly the same.

After he and Picker broke up, Wisner added a geared rear tilt, along with a few other design features, to his Traditional cameras and called them Tech Fields.

Since the geared rear tilt mechanism was patented, Picker could not add this feature to his cameras.

Although Wisner made cameras for Zone VI for a while, he only made 4x5's, and I don't believe that Picker ever marketed a 5x7 camera.

A Wisner 5x7 Tech Field in excellent condition, with the accessories that the OP mentioned (and a few Wisner lens boards), should sell for approx. $1500.

[Donald Miller]

I have owned both a 4X5 Zone VI (89 vintage) and the Wisner Tech Field 5X7 with 4x5 reducing back. There is no comparison between these cameras. The Wisner is much more elaborate and much more robust. The downside is the weight. I imagine that the Wisner weighs very near the V8 Deardorff that I owned at one time.

To clarify what I got for the $1,650 was the 5X7 camera, 4X5 reducing back, two Wisner wooden ground glass protectors, bag bellows and two lens boards.

[BradS]

the prices for Wisners these days seem depressingly low. I don't know whether that's because uninformed people think repairs won't be available or whether Ron's reputation for inconsistent quality causes people to shy away or whether it's just the general state of the LF market these days or all of the above.

I would say that it is the later (Ron's poor reputation - verging on notoriety). That along with the simple fact that fashion today is all about cheap knock-offs from china. Nobody wants to pay for craftsmanship today...all the buzz is around cheap...and then after they spend their hard earned on cheap and brand new from China, they rave about how wonderful it is.

Show us some photos...and ask what ever you / your friend seem to think is right. Better yet, take lots of big, clear photos and list it on ebay with no reserve and starting bid of $0.99. It'll sell for exactly what it is worth.

[Brian Ellis]

I would say that it is the later (Ron's poor reputation - verging on notoriety). That along with the simple fact that fashion today is all about cheap knock-offs from china. Nobody wants to pay for craftsmanship today...all the buzz is around cheap...and then after they spend their hard earned on cheap and brand new from China, they rave about how wonderful it is.

Show us some photos...and ask what ever you / your friend seem to think is right. Better yet, take lots of big, clear photos and list it on ebay with no reserve and starting bid of $0.99. It'll sell for exactly what it is worth.

I'll probably list it here and a couple other places first to save the fees and hassle of ebay. There's a huge amount of other stuff - seven lenses, Ries tripod, changing bags, all sorts of things. Then whatever doesn't sell that way I'll put on ebay for her.

[neil poulsen]

My thought was that the (non-Wista) Zone VI and Wisner cameras were both a 5x7 camera size.

I'm not sure it added much to include the Wista type or the Calumet ultra cameras as a comparison. Although, I can see where their being flat bed wooden cameras could drag down the price of the Wisner style cameras.

[Michael Jones]

My thought was that the (non-Wista) Zone VI and Wisner cameras were both a 5x7 camera size.



For the 5x7 Wisner, a comparison with Deardorff is more in line, IMHO.The 4x5/5x7 Wisners have lens boards in common. The question should be what other 5x7 camera with multiple accessories is avalaible (i.e., comperables)? Canham, Deardorff and I guess, the Chaminox. The 5x7 Wisner has options such as reducing backs, format change kits, and sufficient bellows to use nearly any lens you desire.

The 5x7 format was in disfavor when Ron was producing them, so there are fewer of them. Hence, they come on the market infrequently

People who never used a Wisner are missing a great experience. I have owned 3 with nary a problem (ordering parts from Ron in past was another story). They are truly hand-made cameras with far more movements & extension than necessary. The controls are logically laid out (locking knobs on one side and knobs for bed movement on the other) and precise. The gloss finish and maroon bellows are eye catchers (although my personal favorite was the 7x17 with chrome hardware and black kid bellows).

The prices noted by Gem and Donald seem to be accurate as that is what the Deardorffs seem to bring. While the comment about ".99 with no reserve will tell you the value" seems logical, that is dependant on a buyer seeing the auction. I haven't sold my houses that way, because comperables are a more accurate indicator of value.

Good luck.

Mike

[Paul Kierstead]

Ah, the pricing is a big disappointing. I was hoping to see my Flight w/bag bellows and boards and buy an F2 with a backpack. Looks like I mightn't make quite enough.

[Michael Alpert]

. . . Nobody wants to pay for craftsmanship today...all the buzz is around cheap...and then after they spend their hard earned on cheap and brand new from China, they rave about how wonderful it is. . . .

Brian,

You are looking for one buyer who does appreciate craftsmanship. You don't need more. So I would not let the "buzz" about "buzz" influence you. I would price the camera at one half the current price of a new camera of similar qualtiy. Since the camera was, in fact, used, that price-level would be fair to both buyer and seller.

Also, I think equating cheap (in all senses of that word) with China is mistaken.

[John MacManus]

Hi Brian
I have had a 5X7 Wisner Tech Field for a few years and am extremely happy with it. I paid $1400 and then $250 for a 4X5 reducing back.

Hope you find a happy buyer to satisfy the seller ... J