worth Getting?

[Katier]

I am trying to find myself a LF camera as currently I have to use those supplied by University (which is a pain as takes time to get them etc.)

I've come accross an Advert for a Calumet CC-400 with a Fujinon 150mm f/6.3 lens in a Seiko shutter and a 127mm Kodak Ektar in Supermatic shutter. Also has 3 DDS and dark cloth. Oh and a pack of 25 hp5.

The Supermatic apparantly is a bit sticky and doesn't allways fire properly.

I would use it mainly for architectural and urban landscape type work.

the seller is selling for $150 and delivery is $70 due to coming from the US.

do you guys think this is a worthwhile entry into LF photography?

[Bip]

perhaps better to buy in the uk and see the equipment beforehand!
Bip

[Katier]

perhaps better to buy in the uk and see the equipment beforehand!
Bip

That's like finding a needle in a haystack :/ Wherever I get it it's going to be via mail I fear.

[du a gwyn]

just look at my thread on the for sale section.i have a top of the range LINHOF,with 150mm lens for only £400.this has all the monement that you'll ever want even a bag bellows as standard for wide angle lenses.it not like all over large camera's you have to buy another bellows or even worse haveing to change one outdoor!!also it very compact.
please view the e bay number that i have enclose in the thread for a exact copy of my camera for sale,for £1,500.you are more than welcome to view,i'll even take you for a outing in the best part of the UK,Snowdoni where i line.
diolch.

[Matt_Bigwood]

Another thing to bear in mind is possibly having to pay customs/import duty as it comes in to the UK. I bought an old Crown Graphic from the USA a few years ago and had to pay well over £30 import duty/handling fee, plus a trip to the couriers depot to collect it, which meant it wasn't as much of a bargain as it first appeared.

[Bip]

Looks like the needle is becoming clearer in the haystack!

Bip

[Katier]

Looks like the needle is becoming clearer in the haystack!

Bip

Not really £400 is way over my current budget

[Joanna Carter]

Another thing to bear in mind is possibly having to pay customs/import duty as it comes in to the UK. I bought an old Crown Graphic from the USA a few years ago and had to pay well over £30 import duty/handling fee, plus a trip to the couriers depot to collect it, which meant it wasn't as much of a bargain as it first appeared.

And, in the case of the equipment Katier is looking at, that would come to a total of £198.52, including a possible £20 "deferment" charge payable to Fedex (possibly less with other carriers) for collecting the duty and VAT payable on your behalf.

Katier, you also mention that one of the shutters is known not to be perfect. So, you are going to have to factor in the cost of a CLA for that and you still don't know how reliable the other stuff will be.

Are you still sure it's such a bargain, taking all this into account ?

[Katier]

And, in the case of the equipment Katier is looking at, that would come to a total of £198.52, including a possible £20 "deferment" charge payable to Fedex (possibly less with other carriers) for collecting the duty and VAT payable on your behalf.

Katier, you also mention that one of the shutters is known not to be perfect. So, you are going to have to factor in the cost of a CLA for that and you still don't know how reliable the other stuff will be.

Are you still sure it's such a bargain, taking all this into account ?

He's sold it now ( althuogh be nice to know if it's a worthwhile starter camera should a similar one come up ) so that bit isn't a problem .

Back to looking for the Needle hehe.

[Joanna Carter]

He's sold it now ( althuogh be nice to know if it's a worthwhile starter camera should a similar one come up ) so that bit isn't a problem .

If the equipment was in good order, then it could have been a reasonable starter kit but, there is an old saying "if you buy cheap, you get cheap".

I just bought a Jobo ATL 1500 processor for only £200; in fact, it cost me, at least, double that again to get all the necessary bits that I needed to replace those that had not been passed on with the machine and to create a tempered rinse water supply. But that was still a lot cheaper than the new price of £3500, and now I get to do all my own E6 processing

Beware of "bargains" in old equipment.

[Katier]

Beware of "bargains" in old equipment.

Oh I know although if the bellows/movements and back are all ok then the way I look at it if the lenses are ok but not great at least it's a start. Lenses can and will be replaced.

[Joanna Carter]

I've just got off the phone with Camera Bellows, and they have said I can sell their 4x5 camera kits with 10% discount. You even get a pinhole, so that all you need is film holder and some film to get you taking pictures.

They reckon the normal price will be around £150 inc VAT, plus P&P so, to you, that would be £135 plus P&P.

Just think, you could build your own camera, and with a pinhole, you get a "zoom" lens

[Katier]

I've just got off the phone with Camera Bellows, and they have said I can sell their 4x5 camera kits with 10% discount. You even get a pinhole, so that all you need is film holder and some film to get you taking pictures.

They reckon the normal price will be around £150 inc VAT, plus P&P so, to you, that would be £135 plus P&P.

Just think, you could build your own camera, and with a pinhole, you get a "zoom" lens

I have to admit I'm tempted by the bulldog. Few reasons.

1) Price
2) Local company ( I live in Birmingham )
3) I love making stuff.
4) Can paint it pink!!!

Bit worried about lack of rear movement but how much of an issue is for architectural/urban work I'm not sure. Assume the front movements are more than ample?

Is it ok down to 90mm or so as that's where I envisage taking images.

I'm sure I can find a suitable lens to get started at a low price too from somwhere.

[gari]

Hi Katier, the fact that it has no back movements is a bonus from what seems to said in other threads re architectural cameras, helps with perspectives/ verticals staying straight.

as for the pink camera. http://www.bulldogcameras.com/Gallery.html. Enjoy

[Paul Mitchell]

One of my chums on FADU has documented the construction of his 10x8 Bulldog... may be of some help?

http://www.film-and-darkroom-user.org.u ... .php?t=432

Paul