Calumet 8x10

Peter de Groot · May 29, 2016

I can buy a calumet 8x10 for 250,00 euros. It has no lensboard or lens. It does have a reducing back to 4x5 and a tripod plate that comes wit it. Supposed to be light tight. And it looks decent on the photo's.....I don't really know if it is a C1 (if they made more).

Is it a good price?

locutus · May 29, 2016

(I used to live in NL) I've found large format equipment always a bit thin, and when available expensive in NL.

Does it come with a 8x10 back as well? As finding that separate might be difficult and cost the same as this camera by itself. If its included I would definitely bite.

Peter de Groot · May 29, 2016

It is included with the 8x10 back.

bdial · May 29, 2016

I have not been tracking the prices of those, but that price seems ok, assuming the camera is in good working condition.
Lensboards are easy to fabricate, and pretty common in the marketplace too.

locutus · May 29, 2016

Then its definitely worth the money, if I still where in NL I would pick it up at that price :-D

A Budget 300 f/5.6 lens shouldn't be terribly expensive to get hold off, i've seen them for ~200 euro's on the evil bay. Lensboard is just a matter of cutting some wood to size.

The biggest 'hidden' cost after that are the 8x10 film holders. Expect 80-100 euro's for clean usable ones each.

Peter de Groot · May 29, 2016

I have holders because I already have a Cambo 8x10. I suspect that this one is just a bit easier to carry around outside studios. It folds up better then the monorail Cambo. I still have doubts because of my bankaccount. Or wether or not I should save the money to buy a Maiya C330 or something like that.

TheToadMen · May 29, 2016

I would get me a Mamiya C330f with some lenses instead. There won't be that much difference in your photography, shooting a Cambo 8x10 or a Calumet 8x10. However, joining a Cambo 8x10 and a Mamiya C330f will give you much more variety and opportunities.

Peter de Groot · May 29, 2016

I was thinking the same. I do not have a decent MF camera at the moment. Ok thanks all for the input. I have made my decision. Not going to buy it. If you're interested you can find it here:
Dead Link Removed

locutus · May 30, 2016

Note that at 14KG's a Calumet 8x10 still isn't exactly a portable camera. 'Field' is a bit of a overstatement imho.

Sadly enough real 8x10 Field Camera's are in a whole other pricerange...

Ofcourse, 'portable' might mean '50 meters from the car'

TheToadMen · May 30, 2016

locutus said:
Note that at 14KG's a Calumet 8x10 still isn't exactly a portable camera. 'Field' is a bit of a overstatement imho.
Ofcourse, 'portable' might mean '50 meters from the car'

Well, all is relative compared to these types of 'portable camera'

Peter de Groot · May 30, 2016

locutus said:
Note that at 14KG's a Calumet 8x10 still isn't exactly a portable camera. 'Field' is a bit of a overstatement imho.

Sadly enough real 8x10 Field Camera's are in a whole other pricerange...

Ofcourse, 'portable' might mean '50 meters from the car'

It is more portable then my current 8x10. Because the Calumet can be folded. And portable for me means carrying it around for max 200 meters from the car. And I believe the Calumet will do just that However I decided not to buy. Budgetwise not the right time unfortunately.

Calumet 8x10

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