Ebony cameras - where to buy

[peter brown - www.peterbro]

I have decided to purchase one of the Ebony 45 series field

cameras. Does anyone know where the best place to buy would

be?

I know Robert White has some good deals, but are there any

other reputable suppliers for me to compare prices with?

 

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Thanks in advance

Peter Brown

[howard_slavitt2]

Badger Graphic, in Wisconsin. Talk to Jeff.

[peter brown - www.peterbro]

Thanks Howard,

 

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Do you have a phone number or email or internet address for

Badger?

 

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Peter

[alan_agardi]

Peter -

 

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Badger Graphic's web site is at http://www.badgergraphic.com/.

 

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Curiously - based upon past recommendations about Robert White as being

the place to buy equipment - I checked their prices against Badger's

(at today's currency conversion rates), and found that Badger's prices

may actually be better. Of course, you may have to factor in sales tax,

which could put you over the top. But, of the 3 or 4 Ebony cameras I

priced, Badger was more economical.

 

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Strange, isn't it.

 

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Good luck.

[mike_kravit5]

I purchased my Ebony SV45U from Badger. Jeff is a real gentlemen and

their service and prices are second to none.

 

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Mike

[kerry_thalmann2]

WRT to pricing at Badger Graphics and Robert White, Alan Agardi wrote:

 

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"Strange, isn't it."

 

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Not really. First, let me say I have purchased from both Badger and

Robert White. From both I have received courteous, knowledgeable

service, prompt delivery and great prices. They are both truly

outstanding dealers who know and support large format. The fact that

they offer the lowest prices around on many items is an added bonus.

 

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WRT to pricing. It is affected somewhat by exchange rates. However,

the British Pound relative to the US dollar is fairly stable. When

the Japanese Yen, for example, fluctuates, it affects both dealers

about the same. The real difference in pricing is most often due to

the mark-ups associated with US importers or distributors - the

so-called middlemen. Being a non-US source, Robert White is able to

avoid these mark-ups and pass the savings along to his customers. On

many items that do not have official US distributors, Fuji lenses for

example, Badger is also able to offer very attractive prices. In

fact, Badger's prices are the lowest I've seen on Fuji lenses -

substantially lower than Robert White's even before adding on

international shipping and import duty charges. On other items,

especially those where Badger is not able to bypass the official

distributor, Robert White offers substantially lower prices. On some

items, Badger has started buying directly from the manufacturers also

bypassing the official distributors and associated mark-ups. These

direct import items are sometimes referred to as "gray market". For

example, Badger Graphics directly imports Schneider and Rodenstock

lenses and Linhof cameras and sells them at prices substantially lower

than the same products brought in through the official US

distribution channels.

 

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So, in a nutshell... both Robert White and Badger Graphics are very

reputable suppliers. On some items Badger will be cheaper (even

before international shipping and duty) on other items Robert White

will be cheaper (in spite of international shipping and duty) and on

many items it's pretty much a wash. It pays to check both sources

before ordering. These are the only two dealers I use for new

equipment these days. Given the level of service, the great prices

and fast delivery from both, I see no reason to shop anywhere else.

Nine times out of ten, I end up buying from Badger, but on those

occasions where Robert White is able to offer significant savings, I

don't hesitate to use and recommend them. We are fortunate to have

two dealers with such dedication to serving our large format

community.

 

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Kerry

[john_henderson1]

From what I could tell looking around on the web, Robert White can

significantly undercut the Mamiya and Toyo prices in the US.

<em>I.e.,</em> brands imported by Mamiya America Corp.

 

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And I hate to point that out, as I've found the MAC people good to

deal with.

 

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But I've been looking at Mamiya 7II's on eBay, and realize the other

day that I can get a new one from RW for cheaper.

[david_redhawk]

I am a Canadian pro-photographer based in Japan. I have used the Ebony for shoots. I can find them here easily enough!

 

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http://www.ne.jp/asahi/redhawk/gallery/