What is this camera

[David Evans]

Can anyone identify what model this camera is please http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270840013983? ... 1423.l2648?
I've been looking at the Ebony website and can't find anything that looks like it.
I'm curious rather than seriously interested ... I think! At 65mm it is presumably pretty hard to get a clear view on the ground glass, and also a centre filter would be pretty essential wouldn't it (how many stops difference between centre and outer)?
Thanks

[Paul Dunning]

It looks like a custom job therefore it won't be in the Ebony catalogue (ebay description does mention this). From the look of the bellows and focusing rack I'd say it's only ever going to be of use for super wide angle lenses, at least that's my guess.

Paul.

[Joanna Carter]

Whatever the base model, it looks like it has had an extension back fitted http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/product.as ... &PT_ID=163

Centre filters usually add 1.5 stops at the centre.

[dave_whatever]

Think its an early model, think its called SW (not SW45). Probably the first specific wide angle model. Kind of like a short bellows stuck onto a 452 extension back. I think theres a thread or two about these cameras on one if the american forums if you can unearth them.

[IanG]

It's a dog of a camera, leave alone. The extension back is something used on early British tailboard cameras, although Watson kept making them into the late 1950's and Gandolfi a bit longer Linhof and MPP used similar.

I've been using a 65mm SA on a Wista for over 20 years, there's a knack but it's easy. I also have a Speed Graphic which takes a 65mm with no issues but it was modified from new as a WA camera.

There are better cameras around and much cheaper second hand.

Ian

[Andrew Plume]

It's a dog of a camera, leave alone. The extension back is something used on early British tailboard cameras

yes indeed

if anyone isn't familiar with the back, it can be seen here, courtesy of Eric's excellent site:

http://www.woodandbrass.co.uk/detail.php?cat_num=0070

when the sides are 'unhinged', shift and tilt become available

andrew

[Thingy]

Interesting mongrel of a camera. You'd be better off buying the RSW45 version, which has more movements and is only marginally more expensive, new!

I have an extension back so can tell you that what you are looking at in an extension back with a viewing bellows fixed to the back and presumably the seperate wide angle screen and back you can buy. Ebony must have fitted the front bit with the bag bellows. Were I buying this secondhand I would expect to pay perhaps £500 plus a few hundred for the lens. The extension bellows, as Tim attested a couple of years ago, offer no real movements, their main use being to allow one to use slightly longer lenses or extend Macro lenses close-up/magnification ability. I use mine with my PS945 to enable me to get closer to my (floral) subjects.

[dave_whatever]

As a hilarious postscript to this thread, I noticed today that on ebay Mr "triple the prices of anyone else" seems to have bought the above camera and is selling it on minus the lens at a massive markup. And without mentioning the massive scratch on the top, which the original seller mentioned. He's a credit to ebay alright!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBONY-Wide-Sp ... 0361817612

[Fourtoes]

wow

[Dave Tolcher]

It was a bit of a bargain at the original selling price - about £300 for an Ebony !! asuming you could realise £400 for the 65mm lens

[Andrew Plume]

As a hilarious postscript to this thread, I noticed today that on ebay Mr "triple the prices of anyone else" seems to have bought the above camera and is selling it on minus the lens at a massive markup. And without mentioning the massive scratch on the top, which the original seller mentioned. He's a credit to ebay alright!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBONY-Wide-Sp ... 0361817612

Yes, the seller is Mr Cliff Resnick of West Wales, a person who is maybe not the easiest to deal with and yes he is very much 'Mr mark it up'

regards

andrew

[Rob Cole]

As a hilarious postscript to this thread, I noticed today that on ebay Mr "triple the prices of anyone else" seems to have bought the above camera and is selling it on minus the lens at a massive markup. And without mentioning the massive scratch on the top, which the original seller mentioned. He's a credit to ebay alright!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBONY-Wide-Sp ... 0361817612

Yes, the seller is Mr Cliff Resnick of West Wales, a person who is maybe not the easiest to deal with and yes he is very much 'Mr mark it up'

regards

andrew

Definitely worth having, as I have, in all eBay search criteria "-cliffpr" and I don't get bothered by all his outrageous price hikes.

Rob