Anyone with $4,600 burning a hole in their pocket?

[Terence]

14x17 camera with four film holders and a snazzy tripod. They don't mention if the cat in the last photo is included.

14x17 Empire

 

[User Removed]

Nice cameras. Too bad it does not have any movements. I don't believe that tripod is made for that camera however.

 

[Terence]

Front rise/fall and rear tilt are about all I use on my Korona 8x10, so it wouldn't be too bad for landscape work. Front tilt WOULD be nicer, but I've gotten use to having to angle the camera a bit.

That tripod looks like you could mount a small crane on it.

 

[Michael Kadillak]

A little over a year ago at a Camera Show here in Denver I looked at an 14x17 Empire State camera that looked identical to this one with the same number of holders and that very unique tripod. The owner had a price tag of $2,600 on it (probably sold it for a bit cheaper as it appeared that cash traded hands). It looked interesting but as Ryan said, the lack of movements was a concern to me. Same camera? Not sure but I think that it could be.

It will be interesting to see if it sells for their asking price.

Cheers!

 

[copake_ham]

Obviously hard to judge "market value" on such a rare item - but on more "common" gear (e.g. Nikon RF's which they often peddle on eBay) - I've found this outfit's prices to be, shall we say, rather ambitious.

 

[Dave Parker]

Ambitious,

This guy is crazy on his asking prices for things and has always been crazy on his pricing, he was trying to sell used polaroid 500's last year for $95.00 and when I sent him a note to see if he was serious, he said they were collectors items and would be on the rise in price very soon, and the older polaroid land film holders he was trying to get over $100 bucks for, this is the one they have not made film for since the 60's , he is not even ambitious, he is just bonkers!

Dave

 

[Travis Nunn]

He may be bonkers Dave, but you know there's someone out there who will pay his asking price.

 

[doughowk]

The 14X17 Empire is 2nd time listing, I believe. Seems a bit high. There's also a 7X17 Korona that's less than half the price (of course, only half the size).

 

[Dave Wooten]

Maybe and Maybe not...

Camera looks to be in nice shape. The back does have some tilt. What is interesting is the tripod. As one who uses a 14 x 17 camera, I have often felt that tripods with wider bases would be nice. I usually use the large Majestic base. I also would like a quad pod....imagine the tripod shown with bearings on the circular base like a turntable, with a lock screw. The base being as larger or nearly as large as the camera base...That would be prettly slick. IMHO this might be is a bit high for the camera,then maybe not. Depends on how hard it is to find one and if that is what you are seeking, also, one can expect to pay 300 to 400 for a good holder, if you can find one that does nt leak... That in itself is 1200-1600 bucks. Shooting this size film, one does not want to pay the price of shortcuts. The wood looks great, can't tell about the bellows, extension is nice. So who knows, for some it is a tool and they are scarce in 14 x 17 size...great for portraits and landscape and still lifes, it is not that hard to add movements. All said and done I'd rather have a Wisner or Canham or Ebony, but you are into substantially more money and then those holders....so maybe the seller is dreaming...a nice Anthony, like Kerik's sold for around 3000+ if I remember correctly with out holders. The Anthonys are nice as they are lighter weight and more compact....

 

[Sparky]

Call me crazy, but it seems to me you could have a far superior camera than that (and then some) machined out of aluminum, anodized black and build a vacuum film holder for less than that.

 

[jimgalli]

The giant tripod base is becuse it's the bottom half of a Cirkut Camera tripod. Looks like it's modified ie. gear removed etc so unuseable for a cirkut. I think this seller walks into Samy's Camera down on Fairfax in LA then doubles whatever price they have. And their prices are untenable. His are just insane. At Ebay's latest prices he's paying a bunch for our entertainment.

 

[Dave Wooten]

Sparky I think you are right, a good machinist could do it and then have the bellows made. But, If you hire to have it done it ain't going to be cheap...a 7x17 Canham is $6000.00 without the holders (IMHO a much more usable and and desirable camera design) So I don t know what Mr. Canham would charge to make a 14 x 17?

 

[Oren Grad]

So I don t know what Mr. Canham would charge to make a 14 x 17?

$6600 - it's on his new price list.

 

[jp80874]

"We will assist you with the Customs Declaration Form to address your individual needs.Please inquire with your special requests.We will make this a pleasant shopping experience." This couldn't be more blatant. Makes me wonder if he will be as honest with the buyer.

John Powers

 

[Dave Wooten]

"We will assist you with the Customs Declaration Form to address your individual needs.Please inquire with your special requests.We will make this a pleasant shopping experience." This couldn't be more blatant. Makes me wonder if he will be as honest with the buyer.

John Powers

Hi John,

What's the camera "Worth" ? A Canham at 6600 is a better choice IMHO.

 

[Dave Wooten]

$6600 - it's on his new price list.

Thanks Oren, I was nt aware of the new list.

 

[naturephoto1]

The camera price does appear high, but I am not that knowledgeable. Certainly the the new Canham would be a better choice, but as has been mentioned, this camera comes with the tripod and the holders. If you didn't own a big Ries or something equivalent or even a Gitzo Carbon Fiber like the 1548 there would also be another big outlay for the tripod.

Rich

 

[Donald Miller]

If you think that this is goofy, take a gander at the ULF (12X16) Durst enlargers up on Ebay now. Jensen looks to be cleaning out the warehouse because you have your choice of three.

 

[Dave Wooten]

If you think that this is goofy, take a gander at the ULF (12X16) Durst enlargers up on Ebay now. Jensen looks to be cleaning out the warehouse because you have your choice of three.

Darn! Foiled again ! 12 x 16 is just a bit shy for a 14 x 17 neg.

 

[Donald Miller]

Darn! Foiled again ! 12 x 16 is just a bit shy for a 14 x 17 neg.

I bet that with enough money, Jensen will build about anything that you want. Imagine how large you go blow up a 14X17 neg....

That would put you up in the Clyde Butcher catagory. You could be the Ansel of Sin City. Hell of a deal.

I predict fame and fortune. Go for it...

 

[Oren Grad]

Thanks Oren, I was nt aware of the new list.

No problem - I didn't see it myself until just the other day, figured I'd post the link since others might be in the same boat.

 

[jamie young]

Boy what a shame to see a #16 cirkut tripod being used like this.
Having had one made for my camera, and knowing the rarity of it, it's upsetting to see it used this way.
Jamie Young

 

[removed account4]

Hi John,

What's the camera "Worth" ? A Canham at 6600 is a better choice IMHO.

but does that include a handfull of film holders ?
at 525$ each ( filmholders.com ) 5 filmholders comes to:$2625
hmmm even overpriced ebay doesn't seem like that bad of a deal

 

[Dave Wooten]

but does that include a handfull of film holders ?
at 525$ each ( filmholders.com ) 5 filmholders comes to:$2625
hmmm even overpriced ebay doesn't seem like that bad of a deal

Well there you go....if you are in the market and set on that format, it is not that easy of a decision....what one hopes is that the camera is sound....nothing more frustrating than to pay 8 bucks or so for film, load it, work up a shot and get home and find out all is ruined because of poor registration, light leaks or termites.....I have a hundred year old 5 x 7 that works really well...if one is going to really dedicate a lot of time and years to the format, the new one could turn out to be the best investment...lighter weight, easily repaired etc...on movements, the one I use most is front rise..to see over the fence or cut out the street below...if one was in the market for the format, and 4500 was too much, what would one be willing to pay...?

 

[removed account4]

Well there you go....if you are in the market and set on that format, it is not that easy of a decision....what one hopes is that the camera is sound....nothing more frustrating than to pay 8 bucks or so for film, load it, work up a shot and get home and find out all is ruined because of poor registration, light leaks or termites.....I have a hundred year old 5 x 7 that works really well...if one is going to really dedicate a lot of time and years to the format, the new one could turn out to be the best investment...lighter weight, easily repaired etc...on movements, the one I use most is front rise..to see over the fence or cut out the street below...if one was in the market for the format, and 4500 was too much, what would one be willing to pay...?

i know what you mean dave. at least a new one you know it'll work, and work well