Anba Camera

[SLNestler]

A friend just offered me a tiny, compact 4X5 with the nameplate,
"ANBA," made in Tokyo. Does anyone have information about this camera? Any idea of its value? My friend has asked me to make him an offer, and I don't know where to start.
Thank you,
Steven

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The main attraction of the Ikeda Anba is that it is really light and compact, but it's not a particularly expensive camera. For just the body, I'd guess something on the order of $300-400. I think there's a review on Kerry Thalmann's site. He used one as a backpacking camera for some time.

 

[Deniz]

Ikeda Anba is a great little camera... incredibly light and compact.. i love mine

 

[WarEaglemtn]

These cameras are generally well made & a pleasure to use. In 4x5 $300-400 is about right. I used a 5x7 model for a number of years with no problems. It was light & well made and even when I got a Wisner Tech Field for resale I used the Anba for my work. It was better built & had a nicer finish and was much lighter. The bigger camera had more movement & longer bellows but was not as solid once set up, something I never expected. The Anba also had stronger metal pieces on the back.
For a lightweight field camera they are very good.

 

[JG Motamedi]

I had one a few years ago, but sold it. It was a very light-weight camera, but I never really liked it. Movements were very limited. However, at less than 4lbs. you can't really complain.

They generally sell for about $350-400 or so, however last week one on eBay sold for $700. It is beyond me why it sold for so much.

 

[Mongo]

They generally sell for about $350-400 or so, however last week one on eBay sold for $700. It is beyond me why it sold for so much.

My guess? Two or more people looked at Kerry Thalmann's site, and the bidding war began.

Have you noted the rise in prices for old Yashica Electro 35's since they were praised in a thread here? Seriously, prices seem to have jumped 25%. I'm sure it's just a blip, but it's amazing what an effect the right words in the right place can have on the price of old equipment.

 

[mark]

I played with one and I liked it alot. I don't know a thing about the price but it would be great to have a lighter camera when you come out to the SW again and we have to slip through a few fences.

 

[mark]

My guess? Two or more people looked at Kerry Thalmann's site, and the bidding war began.

Have you noted the rise in prices for old Yashica Electro 35's since they were praised in a thread here? Seriously, prices seem to have jumped 25%. I'm sure it's just a blip, but it's amazing what an effect the right words in the right place can have on the price of old equipment.

Maybe we should start a section where people are going to sell equipment on ebay, praise the hell out of that equipment and then see if the person selling could get more money.

 

[glbeas]

I have one with three lenses and plenty of holders and the whole kit is easier to backpack than an equivalent MF Bronica rig.

 

[SLNestler]

I have one with three lenses and plenty of holders and the whole kit is easier to backpack than an equivalent MF Bronica rig.

Gary,
What do you do for lensboards?
Do you have a ground glass cover?
What is the shortest/longest lens you use?

 

[glbeas]

I have Technika boards for my camera, with 65, 90, and 150mm lenses mounted in them. The 65 is in a recessed board. I have no glass cover, the backpack I carry it in protects it well enough theres no need for it. The tag on the front of it says it's a Godwin Neo. I put the folded camera in the center compartment in the top half with the dark cloth packed in on top of it and the lenes, light meter and loupe go in the various compartments around it.

 

[esearing]

I've had mine a couple of months now. It has its pros and cons.
Pros
- lightweight, small,
- somewhat ridgid for such a light camera,
- nicely finished, well made bellows which allows a 90m easily.
- springback easily loads thick Polaroid and ready load or quickload holders
- Mine came with a very bright ground glass. not sure if it is original or not.
- Good movements for a small field camera.
Cons
- Small knobs for front rise and tilt.
- Difficult to fold unless everything is loose and in perfect place,
- front fall tend to drop the lensboard out of its track thus is almost non existant.
- front rise is not geared so slides up and down too easily (may just take getting used too.)
-no Bail on back. I miss it but if you never had one you wouldn't.

Overall its a nice camera for the price.Very similar to shen-hao in size and knobs, shen-hao may lock down tighter, but I have only held one for comparison. Doing front movements is tedious if you are under the darkcloth and requires a very gentle touch. You have only front focus once you get beyond 180mm due to track design.

Accessories
Wista,linhof, or wooden lensboards in 99x96mm can be found used at KEH.com or MPEX
backpack I am looking at is Lowepro phototreker.