Bender LF cameras question

Hello,

As I plan to go to LF photography I slowly collecting informations and learn. I saw these LF camera kits and I would like to ask if anyone know about these camera kits and opinions about them: http://www.benderphoto.com/index.htm

I never used LF equipment and money is big factor (considering my mothly income is about 500 EUROS), so when saw price of less than 450USD for 8x10 camera kit I become interested.

Any answers and advices are highy welcomed.

Thank you.

$450 is enough to buy many nice user 8x10 field cameras. Ansco and other wooden cameras of a similar age. Depending on condition $450 might almost be enough to get a lens to. My Ansco with three 8x10 film holders was something like $265. Even came with a darkcloth and a Linhof adapter board.

I wouldn't buy a bender unless you want to pratice building a camera.

Thanks Nick. No, unless I have to, I am not interested in building, only using...

haris

did you see in the classifieds section here
there was a 8x10 and film holder for 200$usd
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
i am not sure if it is still there, or with shipping to you would be too expensive
but keep an eye on the classifieds .. some great deals show up!

good luck!

john

Thanks john...

I'm actually interested in this. I love building things and I do think it would be rewarding to have a camera I built with my own hands. It's a neat idea. If I get the money together I may buy one.

The Bender 4x5 is the first 4x5 I owned. If you take your time and are very careful you can make a pretty decent camera. It is stable after a small change to the tensioning mechanism. I made some "washers" out of 600 grit paper. I'll have to replace them eventually but so far they are holding a little bit better than just the plain friction of the metal washer on the wood.

There are some differences (looking at the pictures) between the 8x10 and the 4x5 but I have the feeling the 8x10 will be a bit more floppy.

I've been very happy with the 4x5 and it looks nice, works great. In the pre-manufactured 4x5 kit category there is also the Bulldog. Bang for the buck, the Bulldog doesn't look quite as useful to me. The Bender has a tremendous movement range and plenty of bellows extension, more is available in the bellows than the stock rail allows.