Zone VI made by Wista

<p>I understand up to 4 different manufacturers made the Zone VI 4x5. Is the Wista version a good camera or is there cost cutting in the process. It sells for quite a bit less than the regular Wista model.</p>

<p>Thanks, Mike</p>

<p>Wisner made the early Zone VI cameras. Though less than perfect they were better cameras than the later versions.</p>

<p>I use to drive by the Wisner building on RT 6 in Marion, MA all the time. Because of that I always wanted to own a Wisner. Anyway the Zone VI I'm looking at is the Wista version.</p>

<p>An earlier 4x5 camera sold by Zone VI, with their name on it was a Wista, very similar to a Wista DX. (The earliest was a Tachihara.) Fred Picker had some modifications made to the Wista. One modification at least was a more robust tripod mounting. Then he had an arrangement with Wisner for a custom Zone VI camera. Those are the "early Zone VI" cameras that Bruce is referring to -- they are not the earliest. Then Zone VI took over the production. There were further models after Calumet became the owner. The Wista version is a good camera but more limited then the "classic" Zone VI -- it has less extension and a non-interchangeable bellows. But if this meets your needs, it is considerably lighter. I know of no reason that it should sell for less than the similar camera labeled Wista.</p>

<p>See http://www.photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/00Cilx and http://www.photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/00PVNn</p>