Field Camera

[brimc76]

I have been looking at a few field cameras and wondered if anyone had any experience or opinions on the Ebony line of cameras. I'm looking at a used one.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Most people who have them seem to like them. For reviews try largeformatphotography.info, both in the "camera reviews" section and the "Q&A Forum."

 

[Eric Rose]

One of my photo buddies uses an Ebony and it sure is a nice machine. Very well made and the craftsmanship is obvious.

However I would not spend the kind of money they want for one new. If you can get a good price on a used one go for it.

My Wista knock-off by Toko servers me fine and cost me a fraction of the Ebony.

Here is a link to the Wista camera that looks just like mine.
http://www.wista.co.jp/e_wista/e_show/e_camera/e_s2_5.htm

 

[brimc76]

Thanks to everyone for the quick replies. I checked out the largeformatphotography website and found more of the information I was looking for. I'll let you know how things work out.

 

[KenM]

Geez, Eric, what about your *other* buddy? :-D

I have a Gandolfi Variant Level 3, and it's also a very good camera. Extensive movements, great bellows extension make this a fine camera. However, be sure to check out my other thread, soon to be created, about light leaks....

 

[Steve Hamley]

Ebony cameras are one of the best wooden field cameras made. They have only two drawbacks, price and weight (in the ebony wood models, mahoghany cameras have typical weights). If you can stand these, you will have no other complaints.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[Black Dog]

Ebony cameras are good but vv pricey- at the moment I've narrowed it down to the Wisner Trad or the Canham JMC810 (the latter is much lighter). A Phillips would be nice but unavailable in UK. So it's probably the JMC for me.

 

[Tom Duffy]

I tried out the Canham at one of my favorite camera stores and was very impressed. the limited range of movements (the essentials are there!) on the rear standard really make the camera much more rigid than his wood camera. and it seems fairly lightweight. pretty much a take it anywhere view camera. Go for it!

 

[brimc76]

After looking at a this model again I'm not sure that it has the features that I'm after, so I've decided to wait and do a little more research. My thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[GreyWolf]

Gee Ken... why in earth would you want to lead people on, in believeing that Eric has two buddies. :>)) (just kidding ..wink..wink)

Regarding the Ebony as folks have stated, it is heavier than many other cameras if you buy the Ebony "wood" version. One of the reasons that I purchased mine is that as a woodworker I am attracted to the fine workmanship of the product and the rigidity of the camera. The other was the extensive bellows length that Ken discovered was missing on his previous camera.

The cameras are expensive and you can buy another model/brand that will do pretty most everything an Ebony will do for considerably less.

You can also buy an old Dodge Polaris for a song to take yourself back and forth to work or church if you want. It is perhaps in the "eye of the beholder" that makes an Ebony so special. In fact I find at night that my Ebony camera does not snore, so that it does not even wake me though it rests comfortably between my wife and myself on the queen size bed.

Kind Regards,

 

[Eric Rose]

Yes it's true I'm a sad pathetic individual with only 1 friend.

I know GreyWolf your wife wonders about you, what with all that step dancing in the basement! LOL.

The Ebony is truely a wonderful camera, but I can go along ways in my "Polaris" and still have money left over for film etc. And maybe even a trip or course or two.

I understand why you got it. The same reason I spend stupid money on watches.