I would like to purchase an 8x10

[jacque_staskon]

I am asking for advice from the master's. I currently us a wista 4x5d. I am very interested in purchasing an 8x10 field view. I would like it to be very similar to the wista I now have. Most of my work is in the field and tabletop. What type of lenses should I look for? I live in a small Arizona town with very little LF support. I will have to travel to phoenix to look for suppliers of 8x10 equipment. Where should I go? Which lens will give me the most flexibility? Which camera is sturdy, not too heavy and has fairly long bellows extension? Also movements are important; which field camera has the most movements? I am doing more platinum printing and I am not satisfied with enlarged negs, they have the quality of a second generation image. Oh one more thing I'm an adjunct faculty member in photo so you know i am broke. Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I am not the type of person to ask for advice and then go off on my merry way in the other direction. Thankyou for considering my questions. jacque

[ellis_vener_photography]

I have been very happy with the service and advise i have gotten from Rod Klukas at Photomark in Phoenix and from Darkroom Innovations in Fountain Hills, Arizona (area code 602). i would also go talk to Keith Canham, the designer/builder of K.B.Canham Cameras in Mesa, AZ (602.964.8624).</P>

 

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Y'all must have some awfully photogenic country out there to have such a concentration of Large Format Photography resources.

[marv_thompson]

I would also recommend Photomark and Ron Klukas. I stopped in while

on vacation, just to look at a Kanham 8X10, and Ron didn't hesitate

to set one up and put 3 different lenses on it for me to try out.

They have the cameras and lenses on hand, and the staff that wants to

help, even if all your doing is "kicking tires". While I was trying

the camera out I found a slick focusing loupe that he gave me to use

and ended up buying it. If I hadn't had the opportunity to try it, I

would have never just bought it, it's nice to find sales people that

know how to sell and help. By the way, call ahead, I believe that Ron

said he work's Tuesday through Saturday.

[tom_hieb]

I too am from a small Arizona town and have to travel to Phoenix for

LF support. My vote is also for Rod Klukas at Photomark. By far the

best place to go to talk with knowledgable people and try things out.

I have never used anything larger than 4x5, so I have no advice on

8x10 cameras. However, if you talk to Rod, I'm sure he will have

plenty of advice.

[peter_hughes]

"Oh one more thing I'm an adjunct faculty member in photo so you know

i am broke."

 

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The cameras the others are suggesting are fine, I'm sure, but very

costly. Why not scout around for an old Deardorf (w/o front swings;

who needs 'em?)and a Kodak Commercial or Wide Field Ektar? You should

be able to find something decent for under $1500 for the pair. The

Deardorf is the standard by which the others must be judged: Great

movements, built like a tank, very ergonomic controls. And the Ektars

are wonderful old lenses. That's what I mostly shoot with, when I

shoot 8x10. Try Midwest Photo Exchange. You also might look around on

the Net. That's where I found my Deardorf.

 

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http://www.ravenvision.com/rvapeter.htm

[bill_glickman]

If cost is as much of an issue as you mention, buying new is very

costly. I agree with the others, used 8x10's can be purchased

relatively inexpensive compared to new. I use a Toyo 810MII, very

sturdy, all metal, true field camera folding very small. I have seen

used ones for under $2,000. New 8x10 start at about $5K. Since a

lot of people find 8x10 to hard to handle, there are many used

cameras almost like new out there. Film holders can be costly also,

Toyo film holders seem to be the flatest at the most reasonable

price, although they are more expensive than Lisco, Riteway, and

Fidlelity. Some lenses like the Fuji 600C has a massive image

circle, large enough for 20x24 camera and are very cost effective,

new, about $1400 at Badger Graphics. So figure out your budget and

then work backwards, it is a long exhaustive process for sure. Best

of luck...

[chad_jarvis2]

I would be inclined to agree with the last two replies. Being the

owner of a used Deardorff 8x10 (with FS) and several used lenses, I

would have to say that economically speaking, the second hand market

has worked out well for me. I bought my camera in usable, but ugly

condition, so I refinished it. The construction and controls are

very straightforward, and there is a rich used market for backs (I

have the original 8x10, a 4x5 and 5x7 backs). If you want

versatility, availability and a price in the $1000-2000 range, I'd

highly recommend a Deardorff.

 

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I love used lenses. Wollensak made a 6.25" (159mm) Extreme Wide

Angle Velostigmat that is VERY small and VERY light, which covers

8x10. These are pretty widely available and usually sell for $150-

300 in a Betax or Alphax #3. By the way, I bought one of these on

Patrick Alt's recommendation, and it's terrific.

 

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Without describing my entire collection, consider the Wollensak

Velostigmats for black and white, any Goerz Dagor or Artar from 8"

and the Kodak Ektars.