Empire 11x14 plus lenses on eB@y -ending soon!

[medform-norm]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7583535026&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEBI:IT&rd=1

Four hours left and only 140$ bid till so far. Jim, set your snipes in action if you haven't already.

 

[MattCarey]

wow! a 65mm lens for an 11x14. Pretty cool!

Matt

 

[boyooso]

Did that go cheap?

Or am I unexperienced?

Corey

 

[rrankin]

It went fairly cheap on the face of it. But my understanding of the listing is that it needs new bellows and does not have a film holder or the extension rail. My 11x14 bellows from the UK was $400-500 IIRC and without the ext. rail, the camera probably has a max extension of around 20-22". An 11x14 with the extra rail should go to 35-36" or so at least. Plus if that box in the front isn't easily removeable, you may have problems with shorter lenses and weight. And even old wooden film holders have been going for around $200 on Ebay if you can even find one to bid on. Modern film holders have been going for far more than that. Plus I don't think the 65mm lens or the 135mm were actually for use on THAT camera. A bargain? I kind of doubt it. But possibly a good deal if you can fix the bellows yourself and have access to holders, etc. Bit I admit, I was watching it was was tempted to go for it... Cheers, Richard

 

[avandesande]

i think it was a good deal. what would you rather have, 30+ year old bellows in 'good' condition or new ones? When dealing with an old ULF camera with original bellows you might as well factor in the cost of new ones. If I wasn't broke I would of bid on it. Maybe thats why I am broke ; )

 

[JG Motamedi]

Last week a 11x14 B&J with extensions, holder, and barrel lens sold for ~$1500. The B&J is a more "competent" camera than the Empire with complete movements and more stable, easier to find parts, although it is significantly heavier.

With a new bellows, this camera cost $750, half the cost of the B&J. A good deal? Yes, but not a great one. But, if you were looking for a parts camera, this one would have have been perfect.