Re: 8x10 camera

Ahhh... now we have 9 holders (rather than 7), we do have the extension
bed, we have a statement that the bellows are light tight, a couple
open boxes of film, and we have an older 300mm lens in working shutter.
With all of that, I'd say you have a good deal :-)

Note that you don't know the age or storage conditions of the film and
that the lens is almost certainly uncoated and may not have a PC sync.
Uncoated lenses can be good, I still use a few. Just add a little
development time (10% is my rule) and use a lens hood. Uncoated lenses
are far more prone to flare and give slightly lower contrast. Steve
Grimes can add PC sync to older Wollensak shutters (I've had them do
mine), only important if you are using studio flash gear. Many older
Wollensak shutters need a cable release with a longer than average
throw, still buyable, you just need to be picky. A modern used 300mm
lens for 8x10 with multi coating and PC sync would be as expensive as
your whole package!

The seller's statement isn't clear on including a lens board. They can
be made easily if you are good with wood, or bought on Ebay (maybe
$30US). That price is a wild guess, I modified my B&J to take the same
lensboards as my modern Toyo studio camera. So, don't pay attention to
B&J lensboard prices! You will need (or at least want) both a dark
cloth (a coat can be used instead, not as nice) and a loupe (reading
glasses can be use, I actually prefer them).

You will eventually want more than one lens, which means you will have
to buy more lensboards. See if the seller will tell you what stain he
used, then your new boards can be made to match his nice refinishing
job.

On Monday, August 2, 2004, at 09:59 AM, Adam. Waterson wrote:

> 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
>>
--------------
Tom Ferguson
http://www.ferguson-photo-design.com
Received on Mon Aug 2 11:53:51 2004