Phillips Cameras? Info. needed please

[jon_doe4]

Hi,

I am interested in the Phillips 8x10 camera (compact II). Does

anyone know pricing information? Contact information for Dick

Phillips? Or if he/they are making cameras anymore?

 

I tried emailing him: rhphill@concentric.net but the email was

returned and it was not a valid address. thanks in advance!

[michael_briggs2]

His ad in the March/April 2004 View Camera magazine says that they aren't accepting new orders because of their heavy workload. That ad gives a new email address with the info after the @ changed to sbcglobal.net, but says that he prefers phone contact.

[jerald_brodkey]

I talked to him a few weeks ago and he was about ready to go to the far East and be gone about a month. He has probably left by now.

[tim_atherton9]

I just sent you his new email, but as mentioned, he is probably booked full for this year (though peole do drop out of the list).

 

Compact II was about $2780.00 - don't know if there has been a price change recently though

[tim_atherton9]

PS - if you used a real email (and maybe even a real name), you'd also get the additional info I sent you....

[brian_ellis16]

I inquired about the availability of the 8x10 camera a couple weeks ago and was told no orders would be taken for at least the remainder of this year, I don't remember whether he said anything about beyond this year or not.

[tedharris]

For those that don't have it here is Dick's office phone: (989) 835-7897. When he is there

he is always happy to discuss current and future production plans.

 

Ted

[Troll]

The Phillips being unobtainable, what is "everybody's" second choice (I presume that low weight and high quality at less than astronomical cost are the prime factors)?

[tim_atherton9]

In the same ballpark for weight and functionality (the more bells and whistle, the more weight...)

 

I'd say either the Gandolfi Variant 8x10 or the Canham metal

 

or, for even less weight and even fewer bells and whistles (and less $).... the Gowland ultralight 8x10 thingy

[brian_ellis16]

I wouldn't call it a "second choice" since that sounds a little denigrating but I'd look closely at the Wehman as an alternative to the Phillips. The Wehman has received excellent reviews from users (of which I'm not one). It weighs about the same as the lightest Phillips (8 lbs or so), costs about the same maybe a little less ($1,900 or so though when I last talked with Bruce he had a demo available for $1,400), has a longer bellows than at least some of the Phillips cameras (30 inches or so), and may have more movements though I'm not sure of that.

[tim_atherton9]

"the lightest Phillips (8 lbs or so)" - I think the lightest Phillips is about 5lbs or so...

 

But yes, I'd forgotten the Wehman which is a kinda cool camera. I think it would be espeically good for travelling with

[gone nomad]

I spoke with Dick Phillips about six months ago. I tried to get my name on the list. However, he wouldn't add my name to the list until he had sent me some literature as I had only seen the 4x5 version. Never saw the literature he was supposed to send. I'll have the money saved up in June and I'm going to buy a Canham metal.

 

On a side note, Dick Phillips didn't sound like he really wanted to sell me a camera. After talking with him I'm glad that I'm getting a Canham. Keith's reputation as a person who is happy to answer questions is totally true. Furthermore, the possibility of getting replacement parts is much more likely with a canham camera.

[mark_gatehouse]

"I spoke with Dick Phillips about six months ago. I tried to get my name on the list. However, he wouldn't add my name to the list until he had sent me some literature as I had only seen the 4x5 version"

 

probably, because at that time he was advertising that he wasn't taking any orders at all.

 

I've always found Dick very personable and helpful - spare parts are no problem - though you rarely need them with a Phillips.

 

"After talking with him I'm glad that I'm getting a Canham. Keith's

reputation as a person who is happy to answer questions is totally true.

Furthermore, the possibility of getting replacement parts is much more likely

with a canham camera."

 

A shame, becuase for it's purposes, it's just not as good a camera. Heavier and nowhere near as rigid. It's good, but the Phillips is in another league really. As attested to, among other things, by the number of well known photographers who use them

[gone nomad]

Actually,

 

When I spoke with Dick Phillips his ad had just appeared in view camera saying that he was taking orders. I called a few days after his ad came out. Regardless, I wasn't impressed with his customer service.

[_________1]

I emailed Dr. Phillips sometime in October 2003. Dr. Phillips said that he was not taking orders then and to email him again in December 2003. I did that. Meanwhile, he posted a brochure to me. Dr. Phillips told me in December 2003 that he would be taking orders in January 2004 and said that he would be emailing me again to confirm if he should put my name on his list in January 2004. He said that it was okay if I changed my mind. In January 2004, I received that email from him. However, due to a sudden family need for funds, I was out of coin and could not place my name on his list. Dr. Phillips was understanding and kind. He said that it was not a problem, wished me well and said that he hoped that I would consider his camera again when I had enough funds to purchase an 8x10. Subsequently, he emailed me his change in email address.

 

I have had a pleasant experience dealing with Dr. Phillips. He was always patient with my technical questions. I found him to be a man of honor and integrity.