Ebony / Wisner

[SLNestler]

Anybody out there using an Ebony RW 45?
I'd love to know how it compares with the Wisner Technical Field.
Thanks,
Steven

 

[Tom Stanworth]

Not used either but with my experiences of Ebony camera ownership and a play with a Wisner Traditional 5x4, I put the Ebony camera streets ahead in all respects. The Wisner appeared huge for the 5x4 format and fit and finish were not even close. I would like to like Wisner products more as they are hand built and are available in many configurations etc but to me it just felt agricultural in comparison. Just my opinion. The RW45 is such good value with the universal bellows in the US, why get anything else?

Tom

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

Peter De Smidt is. He just posted his new Dead Link Removed and it's under the articles section.

joe

 

[Timothy]

I am using the Ebony SV45U and I could not be happier. There is not a single thing that I would change. I have never used the Wisner though.

Tim R

 

[Peter De Smidt]

Hi Steven,

As mentioned, I have a review up of the Ebony at my site: www.desmidt.net , and at one time I owned a Wisner 8x10 TF. The Wisner will have more movements, including a gear rear tilt, and it will have more total extension. The Ebony will be slightly more rigid and have better workmanship. The Ebony RW45 has an option for a special "universal" bellows: Basically, this is a small bag bellows on the front of a regular bellows. With this bellows you can use lenses from 90mm to 300mm without having to change out the bellows, which is very nice. You might also get by with a 75mm lens, but I didn't have one on hand to try. The ground glass on the Ebony is significantly better.

I didn't like dealing with the Wisner company. If you go that route, make sure you buy from a dealer that has everything in stock. Don't believe what they tell you about when things will be ready. "It'll be finished today." Six weeks later, "We're putting the main assemblies together today." Six weeks latter...

I've never dealt with the Ebony factory. Jeff at Badger Graphic Sales has always been very responsive, but then he did lend me the camera, and so I'm probably biased.

The SV45U cameras are terrific, but pricey. Asymmetric swings and tilts are super. (I have this on my Sinar P 8x10.) At the moment that's my "field" camera!

 

[paul owen]

The RW E is the one to get! Ebony wood in the construction together with the universal bellows. Customer service is fantastic from Ebony. I have emailed them and received the items needed within a week from Japan to UK!

 

[Tom Stanworth]

The RW E is the one to get! Ebony wood in the construction together with the universal bellows. Customer service is fantastic from Ebony. I have emailed them and received the items needed within a week from Japan to UK!

The E version if quite a bit more expensive I think and as you can get teh universal bellows on teh mahogony version for about $45 and save a fair bit of weight, there is a very good argument for the cheaper wood!

 

[WarEaglemtn]

Get the Ebony. You will never see an ad for Ebony products like the one for Wisner below, from eBay.



Wisner 8x10 lensboard - NO LIGHT LEAKS!! Item number: 3872241752