If you need a new bellows, Camera Bellows UK does such a fine job, quickly and at a fair price, that I'd probably use them even if Wisner's bellows shop was up and running.
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If you need a new bellows, Camera Bellows UK does such a fine job, quickly and at a fair price, that I'd probably use them even if Wisner's bellows shop was up and running.
I agree with David about Camera Bellows. They made me a 50" 12x20 bellows out of the new synthetic material in a couple of weeks at a very reasonable price. Worksmanship was excellent and their customer service is equally top drawer.
If Wisner is still in the game, the lack of basic communication to the target audience is mystifying and contradicts the fundamental tenets of business practices even for a niche market. Makes it much easier for folks like Richard Ritter, Deardorf and Shen Hao to make incremental sales and develop relationships with new clients and that is a very good thing for all of us.
Richard Ritter, BTW, nearly always has a stock of Wisner lensboards.
Lensboards - Harry's Pro Shop in Toronto still has a few Wisner lens boards on hand. I htink he had one or two used Wisner cameras for sale too.
No affiliation, just a happy customer of his. The last used lens I bought form him was in better condition than described.
joe
Drifting a bit from the original topic... But, I also have to agree with both David and Michael. Camera Bellows also made the bellows from my 7x17 Franken-ARCA. The completed product exceeded my requirements and the delivery time and service exceeded my expectations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Kadillak
Kerry
Hang around a little longer, you will see many perfect people in these forums.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bruce terry
Maybe the forum should establish a stickie or a new category for "buying issues" and such, so that we can let newbies see the track record. Any forum regular who still purchases a Wisner does so with their eyes open. But pity the poor newb who falls for the hype and get's stuck with a $2000 camera that is no more usuable than a $200 Korona.
Good idea Frank... I would like that, as a naive newbie..
Right on concerning sentences one and two. Three is cute but wrong, for such reasoning means my wife's old Olympus Stylus is more usable than my Leica....Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Petronio
....wait! hey! I take it back Frank....you're right!!
Ron Wisner is perhaps the ultimate example of What Goes Around Comes Around. As mentioned in an earlier post, I have been there, in that world of worry, eight years ago, waiting on an 8x10 Expedition, discovering the full price of my yet-to-be-constructed camera already on my creditcard without my OK. Regular and nervous phone calls to this 'fellow-sailor' were made over four months until the camera arrived, Ron always putting me at ease with his friendliness, considerable knowledge and considerable good intentions. Perhaps I was lucky, certainly was with the camera for it has been a dream to use and Frank, it even does a few things a $200 Korona can't do.
My failing is I can't live up to this camera!
Mr Wisner's failing is....HE can't live up to this camera! What a wonderful plate this superb technician and teacher is throwing away by being so secretive and contrary and snobbish, such a poor manager of business.
I REALLY didn't want to post, but this particular case is so sad and so unecessary and so begs comment. I for one pray the object of our complaint will miraculously be shocked into an amazing new, SERVICE-ORIENTED rebirth.
Hope springeth eternal, eh?
I think you will find that there are 2 classes of consumers - those such as I who have bought a used Wisner ..) and find it to be a high quality example of domestic manufacturing, and those who have undergone the frustrations of dealing directly with the factory and Mr. Wisner. Regardless of the personal foibles of the owner, the product would appear to me (having owned Linhof, Sinar and Ebony 4x5's) to be equal to the competition. Unfortunately, it is clear that the Company and Mr. Wisner have a huge uphill battle to re-establish the goodwill that the brand (and Mr. Wisner personally) originally earned. Perhaps it is time for him to "fish or cut bait" and either get out of the business altogether, or hire someone more capable of meeting realistic time and quality goals for the current crop of cameras. There would appear to be no excuse, given the resurgence in demand for quality wooden large format cameras, for the response (or lack thereof) of the Company to deal with consumer complaints.