marykonchar Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 <p>Hello,<br> A friend has a lightly used Zone VI 4x5 camera with a Symmar-S 210mm 5.6 lens by Schneider Kreuznach. He has the original bag, 6 filter holders in their original boxes, and the focusing cloth. He also has a Zone VI wooden tripod with Bogan head w/quick release plate. All of the movements seem to work fine, and the bellow appears to be in good shape.<br> He asked me to photograph the camera for him, as he would like to sell it, so I took a number of photos, and I have posted them in the Zone VI folder here: <a href="../photos/MaryKonchar">http://www.photo.net/photos/MaryKonchar</a><br> Now he has asked me how much he should ask for the camera, and I don’t know what to tell him, as I don’t have any experience with large format cameras. I asked at the local camera shop, and they said it probably isn’t worth much, but I see they are going from $400-1400 and more on ebay. The camera shop advised me to sell the tripod separate from the camera, and that sounded like good advice.<br> Bottom line is that I’m looking for a little guidance from some of you large format experts, and I’d appreciate any suggestions you may have. I think he wants to offer it for sale on ebay, so I guess what I really need to know is how much a reasonable reserve price would be?<br> Thanks, Mary</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardsperry Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Completed sales will give you or him the best idea for what they sell for. And you should tell him that a reserve price will not only cut his prospective buyers by a huge factor(80% or so). He most likely will not sell at all. A reserve auction needs two bids above the reserve to sell. If he has a lowest price he wants to sell it at, then he should just start the auction at that price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighb Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 <p>Yours looks just like mine, with the spring back and the plate on the front that says Made by Zone VI.<br /> The hardware and trim are purportedly gold plated.</p> <p>I think this is the most desirable of the four(?) versions of that camera. It should have an 18" bellows.</p> <p>KEH currently has two Zone VI 4x5 field cameras, an EX condition for $751 and an EX+ for $849.<br /> I paid $700 for mine in as-new condition.<br /> One sold on LFPF a couple of months ago for $700 + S&H.</p> <p>These prices are all sans lens, which you probably want to sell separately to get maximum $$$.</p> <p>- Leigh</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_l3 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 <p>I think Leigh is fairly accurate on the camera's value. The 210mm lens is probably worth $350 to $450 in the excellent condition it's in. Just a guess on the tripod, $100-150 including the head. The film holders are probably worth at least $25 each, paired in the original boxes. It's a well regarded setup. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marykonchar Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 <p>Thanks to all of you for your timely responses.<br> I gather from your remarks that it might be better to sell the camera, case and accessories separate from the lens, and I will discuss your responses with my friend to see how he wishes to proceed from here. <br> This is a beautiful camera, and I'd be tempted to purchase it myself if I lived in an area more suited to the great landscape.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monophoto Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 <p>The issue that the owner of this camera has is finding a buyer, not determining the price. The world of large format is fairly small. There are two fundamental potential markets - those who buy cameras as collectable things, and those buy cameras to use them. Most users are already well equipped, so this would probably appeal mainly to someone who is looking to get into large format work. And in that scenario, offering the entire setup as a package probably makes more sense because a newbie will need all of that stuff. And that's a great starter lens.</p> <p>You might want to locate the serial number of the camera and make that part of the information package offered to potential buyers. It should be engraved on the tripod mount (the round thing in the center of the large box). There were several versions of the Zone VI camera, and the serial number can be used to determine when it was made, by whom, and what the features are. And listing the serial number adds gravitas to the advertisement.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardsperry Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Isn't it just a Wista with levels and nameplate? I was just looking to buy a field camera myself. They look like nice cameras, but I would be afraid to take it outside. What happens when it rains? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marykonchar Posted February 9, 2012 Author Share Posted February 9, 2012 <p>Louie, thanks for the info about the serial number. I located the number, and it is 1292. From what I've been found, this camera was made by Zone VI between 1988 and 2001, but that is all the information I have been able to gather. </p> <p>I agree that including the serial number with the ad should be done. And your suggestion to offer the entire kit as a package is food for thought, although I would still consider selling the tripod separately.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighb Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 <p>By far the largest non-bay market for this equipment is at the<br> Large Format Photography Forum http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/</p> <p>Their For Sale section gets about 50 new posts every day.</p> <p>Peruse that section to see what's been selling. The Zone VI cameras at reasonable<br> prices usually sell in a couple of days.</p> <p>The vast majority of FS offerings are for individual pieces, or sets with the pieces<br> available separately and a discount if you buy the whole set.</p> <p>- Leigh</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardsperry Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=27 Really? "There are no posts in this forum." ...Is what I see when I go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighb Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 <p>Did you register on the site?</p> <p>I just checked the For Sale forum and there are 962 PAGES of threads @ 25 threads/page.</p> <p>- Leigh</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marykonchar Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 <p>Yes, you have to register on the site. I did that, but you cannot view the For Sale forum until you have been a member for 30 or more days. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monophoto Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 <p>The information I have confirms Mary's conclusion that this camera was made by Zone VI in the 1988-2001 period, probably earlier in the time frame rather than later. That information will enhance the value relative to one of the earlier Zone VI cameras made by Tachihara or Wista.</p> <p>The Large Format Forum is definitely a better place to offer the camera than e-Bay or Craigslist). But it still may take time to find a buyer.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardsperry Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I'm registered now. I'll let you know in 30 days or so. I understand limiting sellers to prevent spamming. But that's a mod's job anyhow. And the amount of potential buyers, which includes me, is greatly diminished. I just bought a Toyo instead, anyone on that site advertising one lost me as a potential buyer. If someone is just getting into LF and looking for their first LF camera, why would they have already been a registered user for 30 days? Silly rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotz Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 <p>You look at eBay completed sales. do NOT look at asking prices, <em><strong>only actual completed sales</strong></em>. you need an eBay buyer/seller account to do this but it does not cost anything.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marykonchar Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 <p>I have listed the camera for sale in the classified section of this site.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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