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Hello,
I am looking to purchase an 8x10 view camera and a local gentleman is offering the below pictured setup at the price of $250 USD. Unfortunately, I am unable to identify the maker, or the model - Can anyone provide some insight as to who made the camera, and what it may be worth?
Thank you in advance.
Nathan.
It's a British style camera and these were copied and made in India and Japan.
The Japanese version was made by the Okuhara Camera MFG of Osaka, the Indian a Vageeswari. They both look very similar it's very hard to tell the difference. The Okuhara was exported to the US.
Ian
Ian,
Thank you for your insight.
I have yet to see the kit in person, but provided it is in good working order would it be worth purchasing at that price?
I am unable to find any pricing information for either manufacturer.
Thank you.
Nathan.
You will find quite a lot of info here (value/quality) if you search using Vageeswari. I would think this is the indian product (which did have other names sometimes) looking at the very odd grain in the wood used.
Nathan, you won't find any pricing guide as they are quite rare. It's a working 10x8 camera so $250 is a very fair price particularly as you get the tripod legs as well.
If it was me I wouldn't quibble or barter I'd just buy it :D
As Steven says it's more likely Indian, they made excellent LF cameras.
Ian
You cannot use ordinary 8X10 film holders and film. That's huge, at least to me.
I would consider it if in the long run, I was to replace the back with a standard 8x10 back. Find an older 2D back, or perhaps a B&J off a trashed body, and either do it yourself or have a local cabinet/woodworker do it for you. They could whip out a couple lens boards for you while they had the camera.
I would probably eventually fill in the bottom and adapt it to use a standard tripod/head, that 3-part pod looks awkward to attach out in the field (it looks like there is no head with that set up).
The separate tripod legs are awkward in the field, and in practice are less stable and secure than a modern integrated tripod.