5X7 Korona View value

Michael Guzzi · May 8, 2016

Hello all, I realize I would be better served posting this over at LFPF, but I don't want to create an account there just for this... maybe I will get one if I actually get into LF down the road. For now I'm watching how much stuff goes for on fleabay.

This item over at fleabay just ended, I had it on my watch list.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Wooden-Korona-5x7-Camera-with-Kodamatic-Lens-/391444688964

Is that considered a 'fair' price? If not, what would it be?

Peter Schrager · May 8, 2016

fair is relative; condition and the bellows,,do they need repair or replacing??
best, peter

Michael Guzzi · May 8, 2016

Well, the seller stated in the ad that the bellows are light-tight, all functions work, shutter works and lens is clean(this is a vague statement IMO), but that he had not tested it with film.

I can't see any obvious flaws indicating something wrong with it, except on picture no.3, upside down, there seems to be a misalignment on the rear standard or a part under it relative to the bottom of the camera?

Peter Schrager · May 8, 2016

Where is the extension rail...worthless without it...buy a litt;e wista I've had mine for 30 years and it works perfect; more $$ but worth it everytime!!

Michael Guzzi · May 8, 2016

I get that an extension rail allows more bellows draw and that makes for more room to work with, but didn't think it was so important! Someone got stung here then?

Someone mechanically inclined could make one, I guess. Wouldn't be much of a problem for myself as my job requires much, much more precision than what is required for an extension rail, I think.

bdial · May 8, 2016

I think the price is a little high for an incomplete camera. For a 5x7, there isn't much bellows draw available on that camera for any sort of "normal" FL lens. If you have the ability to fabricate the extension rail, that makes it's absence a little easier to deal with, but you probably want to factor in your time and materials for making one.

Jim Noel · May 8, 2016

It is a very good looking example lacking two things- one the extension, and the other a more usable lens and shutter. As it is Iwould extmate the value in the $125-150 range at best.

John Koehrer · May 8, 2016

bjsmith had one in the classified here, camera, lensboard but no rail.
Most of the finish had been removed and it was mostly ready to make lovely.
The important thing about extension rails is this. A normal lens on 5X7 is ~180mm
so without the extension you can't get as close as you might want for table top, portraits and other items
with the 180 you might need 250-300 total extension for a head shot.
There are formulas that you can use to determine magnification with given lenses. These should be available
using the search.

Two23 · May 8, 2016

I have one of these and was using it just yesterday. I have the extension rail but have not used it yet. That said, I prefer to have one. The lens on the camera you show is so-so. Condition is fairly good. You weren't too far off but maybe a tad more than I would have gone. This is a fun camera to use. Buy some Ilford FP4 and go use it. Koronas are good solid cameras. I went to Walmart and bought a little cloth bag cooler with a vintage look. I took the plastic liner out and the Korona fits perfectly.

BTW, the other forum does not allow valuations.

Kent in SD

outwest · May 9, 2016

If the lens will clean up it will be an excellent lens for 5x7and just needs a lens shade. I have a coated one on my 5x7 and because of that my uncoated one is in the 4x5 kit.

Jim Jones · May 9, 2016

Unless you are partial to the wood and brass look, there are other (and sometimes cheaper) LF field cameras. For a few decades I used a Burke & James 5x7. They were plentiful and cheap, but functional.

Michael Guzzi · May 11, 2016

I'm aware of the B&J's, I'm not too concerned about the looks as I am about functionality and availabilty of movements. I'm checking the sold auctions, and I see a very small price difference between B&J's and these Koronas. But the Koronas seem to come up more often.

Rick A · May 11, 2016

I've had a Korona and currently have a B&J 5x7, I prefer the B&J as it offers ample movements and is a bit more compact for packing into the field. With 14 inches of bellows, I can utilize up to 350mm lens, do you need ore than that?

Michael Guzzi · May 11, 2016

Rick A said:
I've had a Korona and currently have a B&J 5x7, I prefer the B&J as it offers ample movements and is a bit more compact for packing into the field. With 14 inches of bellows, I can utilize up to 350mm lens, do you need ore than that?

I don't think so. Is that with the aforementioned extension rail or without?

Also, what are your impressions on both cameras RE rigidity, which one felt 'sturdier', or did both feel the same? And what movements were better on the B&J? From what I see the Korona only seems a bit limited on the rear standard...

Rick A · May 12, 2016

The Korona had an extension rail, that I never had need of for what I shoot(mostly landscapes). The B&J has more rear movements, both are sturdy, but a lot of that depends on the condition of the camera. My current B&J has been totally refurbished(by me) and is fairly stout. The B&J is a "tailboard" type, when collapsed everything is on the front rail, just open the latch and swing the rear rail down and lock it, then the rear standard moves back to focus, the front standard is affixed to the leading edge of the rail. The front has rise, fall, swings, shift, and tilts, as does the rear. I'll post some photos of it later if you like.

Ian Grant · May 12, 2016

Here in the UK a very similar Kodak Half plate camera with a coated 230mm f7.7 Ektar sold for £140 ($200) a couple of days ago in excellent condition, and I saw 2 at a camera fair 2 weeks ago one not so good for £100 the other £150 in lovely condition.

The British made Kodak Half plate camera with it's UK made Ektar is essentially the same as the EK 7x5 version, the film holders are the same size. Kodak sold the 203mm Ektar (and before that Anastigmat) as the standard lens, they are quite common because Kodak sold the camera and lens for Industrial and Clinical use as well as a general LF camera. A US camera should be a bit less,

outwest said:
If the lens will clean up it will be an excellent lens for 5x7and just needs a lens shade. I have a coated one on my 5x7 and because of that my uncoated one is in the 4x5 kit.

These Dialytes are excellent lenses, very sharp, and because of the design excellent for all distances from Infinity to 1:1 according to Kodak, there was a 170mm f7.7 Kodak Anastigmat, also a Dialyte, I have one in a Velosto (an Optimo the trade name was already in use in the UK) Wollensak shutter, I'm not sure of the coverage it's fine on 5x4.

The uncoated Dialytes are lower contrast compared to the later coated Ektar versions, it's noticeable in tests.

Ian

Michael Guzzi · May 12, 2016

Rick A said:
[...]I'll post some photos of it later if you like.

Please do, sounds like a fine camera.

Ian Grant said:
Here in the UK a very similar Kodak Half plate camera with a coated 230mm f7.7 Ektar sold for £140 ($200) a couple of days ago in excellent condition, and I saw 2 at a camera fair 2 weeks ago one not so good for £100 the other £150 in lovely condition.

The British made Kodak Half plate camera with it's UK made Ektar is essentially the same as the EK 7x5 version, the film holders are the same size. [...]

I wasn't paying attention to the UK, will do now, I have bought some great stuff for more than fair prices there, just never looked for cameras.

I am under the impression that half plate isn't the same size as 5X7", it's closer to 4X5"? Do these cameras offer the possibility to be converted to sheet film sizes by replacing the back?

Ian Grant · May 12, 2016

Michael Guzzi said:
I wasn't paying attention to the UK, will do now, I have bought some great stuff for more than fair prices there, just never looked for cameras.

I am under the impression that half plate isn't the same size as 5X7", it's closer to 4X5"? Do these cameras offer the possibility to be converted to sheet film sizes by replacing the back?

I wasn't really suggesting buying from the UK, my 3 7x5 cameras came were originally from the US I was giving examples of prices.

The Kodak Half Plate cameras sold here have International backs and a Kodak Half plate film holder has the same outside dimensions as a modern 7x5 holder. The difference is the glass in the focus frame is slightly smaller. I have 2 Kodak half plate holders and they fit my 7x5 Seneca City View and Improved View.

I think Randy Moe (here on APUG) has a British Kodak Ltd Half plate camera, I scanned a couple of pages from a Kodak catalogue and posted them either here of the LFP Forum. Be aware that like the Korona these Kodaks don't have a lot of tilt.

Ian

outwest · May 12, 2016

Ian, I also have a 170mm f7.7 Kodak Anastigmat which I placed on an old 4x5 bicycle camera. Another excellent lens.

Michael Guzzi · May 14, 2016

How does a Korona compare to a Kodak 2-D?? Less movements, right? There's one ending in a couple hours, with extension rail, Gundlach Radar Anastigmat on a betax #5. Bellows look rather bad though. That's the catch for the low price atm I guess.

mdarnton · May 14, 2016

Some Koronas have all the front movements--more than the Kodak. Look for the ones with the big knob on top of the front standard. That tightens a lazytongs strut that extends to tilt the front. It's a unique method. The front slides and swings from the knob underneath in the normal way. It's a fully modern camera. If it only had a bag bellows. . .

Michael Guzzi · May 14, 2016

Ahh, that's what that knob is for! It's there on the pics in my original post, I was wondering if it was a mod or original... now I know! Thanks! I guess I have enough information to go out and hunt a deal now, thanks everyone who posted their thought/ideas/suggestions here!

Being where I am, I cannot make a mistake on buying stuff this large, the shipping costs aren't for the faint of heart/wallet, whatever gives up first!

Michael Guzzi · May 21, 2016

A little update, got a 4X5, complete with extension rail, three film holders in seemingly great shape, with a lens that, from my research seems to be an A. Darlot lens - a Hémisphérique Rapide Nº2. Too bad it seems like it was modified into a kodak Ball bearing shutter - it may be irreversible. Not too worried since I have other lenses to try.

We'll see once it arrives here, may take a couple months

5X7 Korona View value

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