Ok, so today I went to the photo swap meet in So. Cal. (any of you there?)
On my way out (only spent $12.00 so far) I saw a case with 8x10 holders...asked about them (I have an 8x10 that I haven't used or restored yet) and he pointed to an 8x10 Dorff folded up and laying in the back.
So I had to look at it. Had to... you know.
On the outside (folded up), it looked nearly "as new". Upon opening it, the first thing that hit me was "new car smell"...Either the bellows were brand new or the darn thing had rarely been opened. (were the original bellows leather?)
Second thing I noticed was how easy it unfolded and sprang to life. The metal finishing was perfect, bellows (as seen briefly) were perfect, the wood was next to perfect, the leather handle as new and the tripod mount plate unmarred. The rear extension seemed too tight as my few minutes of fiddling (or fondling?) could not loosen. The glass was kinda yucky but no biggie.
Two lensboards accompany this along with five holders, three new type, two older type.
Now, for $1400 it is (is it?) "a deal" as a quick survey of dorff's on upay showed...most nice ones go for $1500-2K...the beaters for around $800.00.
Oh, he also said it belonged (patience...) to a well known photographer who died last year...maybe, most likely hype (?).
As I got his number and info (just in case
) and since the meet was ending in half hour or so, I feel relatively sure that this is still in the seller's posession. But you never know...
TELL ME ARE THEY WORTH IT? For this price in this condition, what else comes close? I could probably flip it for a small profit too. (right)
And FWIW, as I first entered I saw a 16x20 Saunders easel and it was gone by the time I finished getting around. $130.00.
LESSON:
I learned that next time I will do a quick look through the meet and not wait two hours to go back...usually gone if it's a good deal.
p.s. Don't ask for the Dorff owners number.
This is more of a "I want it" thing than "I need it". I think.
On my way out (only spent $12.00 so far) I saw a case with 8x10 holders...asked about them (I have an 8x10 that I haven't used or restored yet) and he pointed to an 8x10 Dorff folded up and laying in the back.
So I had to look at it. Had to... you know.
On the outside (folded up), it looked nearly "as new". Upon opening it, the first thing that hit me was "new car smell"...Either the bellows were brand new or the darn thing had rarely been opened. (were the original bellows leather?)
Second thing I noticed was how easy it unfolded and sprang to life. The metal finishing was perfect, bellows (as seen briefly) were perfect, the wood was next to perfect, the leather handle as new and the tripod mount plate unmarred. The rear extension seemed too tight as my few minutes of fiddling (or fondling?) could not loosen. The glass was kinda yucky but no biggie.
Two lensboards accompany this along with five holders, three new type, two older type.
Now, for $1400 it is (is it?) "a deal" as a quick survey of dorff's on upay showed...most nice ones go for $1500-2K...the beaters for around $800.00.
Oh, he also said it belonged (patience...) to a well known photographer who died last year...maybe, most likely hype (?).
As I got his number and info (just in case
) and since the meet was ending in half hour or so, I feel relatively sure that this is still in the seller's posession. But you never know...TELL ME ARE THEY WORTH IT? For this price in this condition, what else comes close? I could probably flip it for a small profit too. (right)
And FWIW, as I first entered I saw a 16x20 Saunders easel and it was gone by the time I finished getting around. $130.00.
LESSON:
I learned that next time I will do a quick look through the meet and not wait two hours to go back...usually gone if it's a good deal.
p.s. Don't ask for the Dorff owners number.
This is more of a "I want it" thing than "I need it". I think.
