Re: 8x10 camera

This is what the guy originally wrote describing the camera and the
lens... Is 700 too much?

The 8x10 view camera is a Burke and James - not sure what the model
number or type is. It has a 30-inch bellows draw, a re-positionable
back (horizontal and vertical), and features full movements front and
back - shift, tilt, swing, rise, and fall. It has the removable
extension rail for the full 30-inch bellows draw. It also comes with a
5x7 reduction back. I'm also including nine 8x10 film holders and two
packs of 8x10 film - 23 sheets of Kodak Ektachrome 64T (tungsten), and
23 sheets of Ilford Delta 100.
 
The camera is complete and restored. I stripped all the old gray
factory finish paint, cleaned, sanded, and re-stained the wood a
beautiful red mahogany. The bellows is light tight. I used a vinyl
spray dye to change the shade of the bellows from the factory bright
red to a maroon to better complement the wood finish. I also replaced
the missing carrying handle with a new luggage-quality leather handle.
   
The lens is a Bausch and Lomb 8x10 Tessar Ic, 11-13/16-inch (300mm)
focal length, f4.5 to f45, in a Wollensak Betax Number 5 shutter
(speeds of T, B, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, and 1/50. Shutter works properly
at all speeds. Glass is very clean and clear for an optic this old. It
makes clear, sharp shots.

On Aug 2, 2004, at 12:23 PM, Tom Ferguson wrote:

> It looks like a wonderfully reconditioned B&J. I believe they were all
> ugly gray when first made, someone did a very nice looking job.
>
> I have one of these in 11x14. It is a good, not great, view/field
> camera. Compared to a Wisner or such (much much more $$) the B&J is
> heavy, doesn't fold into a fully protected box (only important for
> backpacker types), is less rigid (the back of mine moves slightly if
> aimed downward and then loaded with the film holder weight). There are
> no center detents or even center markings for the movements.
>
> I don't want to sound too negative. I have happily used mine for
> perhaps 12 years. I like mine, just don't expect it to be a $3000
> Wisner! With a bit more care, you can take the exact same pic as the
> $3000 Wisner, but it will take extra care. I'll keep mine and spend
> the difference on film :-)
>
> As has already been said, check the bellows!
>
> Check Ebay. I think, even with 7 holders and a reducing back, you may
> be "slightly" overpaying. You will need a lens board and lens (4x5
> lenses generally won't work, not enough coverage).
>
> The 11x14 (and I "THINK" the 8x10) were sold with an extention bed
> that allowed long lens and macro shooting. Mine screws into the back
> of the bed and allows the bellows to be full extended. This seems to
> be missing from yours. You can probably find one on Ebay (but it won't
> match the nice finish on yours). If long lenses or macro is important,
> you truly will want that extender.
>
>
> On Monday, August 2, 2004, at 07:56 AM, Adam. Waterson wrote:
>
>> hey, I'm thinking about buying my first 8x10 camera... It is from a
>> private seller who is a friend of a friend. he sent me some images.
>> it is complete, with 7 film backs, a 5x7 reducing back, a lens....
>>
>> http://www.chubbychili.com/1___still/d___not_mine/8by10a.JPG
>> http://www.chubbychili.com/1___still/d___not_mine/8by10b.JPG
>> http://www.chubbychili.com/1___still/d___not_mine/8by10c.JPG
>> (since we're not allowed to send attachments, i am referring u to my
>> website)
>>
>> I offered him 700, what do u guys think?
>> Adam.
>>
>>
> --------------
> Tom Ferguson
> http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com
Received on Mon Aug 2 10:59:59 2004