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For Sale FS: Mint Condition Ebony SV810UE - New & Never Used/Displayed Only

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Kaluacat_Camera

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Super Rare, each hand made, Ebony SV810UE. This body has never seen a single sheet of film. It was displayed shortly at a gallery, but has been stored in a pelican case in a temperature controlled workshop otherwise. It has never been outside. The bellows have been maintained and have been tested and are hole free and light proof. Very light signs of handling on base titanium from sitting on a tripod and table and where metal rubs against each other on some of the hinges. See pics for all details. You simply wont find a better example of this camera and, of course, they are no longer made. Truly a masterful work of Art.

The 8x10 version of Ebony's classic folding camera. Constructed entirely of quarter-sawn ebony heartwood (SV810UE) and solid titanium. The supple yet durable calfskin bellows are hand-made to Ebony's specifications. The hand-strap is made of genuine cordovan leather.

Ebony cameras with a U in their model designation feature asymmetrical swing and tilt movements on the rear standard. This design facilitates quicker and more accurate implementation of certain types of camera movements.

In view camera photography, one of the most vital image controls is the ability to expand (or in some cases, contract) the degree of sharply focused detail within a composition through the use of swing and tilt movements. In a camera without movements, the range of sharp focus (depth-of-field) is controlled strictly through lens aperture and focal point. Large apertures have relatively narrow depth-of-field and smaller apertures have a much greater depth-of-field. The closer one focuses to the camera, the narrower depth- of-field becomes at any given aperture. There is inherently less sharp detail forward of the focal point (closer to the camera) than behind it (further from the camera). Hence, the rule of thumb is that to maximize depth-of-field, focus 1/3 of the way into the range of intended sharp detail and then stop down accordingly. But, with the view camera, photographers have the capability to actually re-align depth-of-field to a specific subject plane.

7 by R Anthony, on Flickr
4 by R Anthony, on Flickr
3 by R Anthony, on Flickr
2 by R Anthony, on Flickr
 
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Have you checked the bellows for pinholes / tears... leather bellows when stored in a compressed position for long periods of time can develop issues.
 
Hello, great question. Yes, the bellows were inspected to ensure there were no leaks.
 
Hello, your Ebony model is actually SV810UE where the "U" means asymmetrical movements for faster focusing in situations, when swings are needed.
 
Enclosed please find a photo of Ebony SV810E i.e. version without asymmetrical movements.
 

Attachments

  • SV810E.jpg
    SV810E.jpg
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Thank you for the insight L&Scap! I listed the camera on behalf of a friend who is not great with computers and he confirmed that it is in fact a SV810UE with the Asymmetrical movements/tilts. This obviously makes it more desirable as its an optional feature that comes in handy, especially for architectural photography.
 
Can you confirm that the ground glass is original Ebony one. It looks like the width of the glass is somewhat short and the side clamps holding the glass are not perfectly align. On my Ebony 810, I have EBONY branding on the glass edges as well. Thank you for your answer.
 
Yes, the ground glass is 100% original. There were two options for the ground glass. One had the painted grid lines and had the "Ebony" name embossed on it and the other had the ground grid lines that had the more "pure" look. There are several examples of both styles online. The user manual for the SV810 as well as the larger product manual have the same ground glass version as this one does.
 
Curious..........what makes this camera worth so much? Not questioning the value just not that familiar with LF stuff.
 
Curious..........what makes this camera worth so much? Not questioning the value just not that familiar with LF stuff.
When you hear "... aged for at least 20 years" it's well ... a hyperbolic statement of no actual significance to the quality of wood used. But since it's there, there is a reason. One of them ... the price. And I'm sue the wood comes with a certificate to prove when it was cut before it was used ... at least 20 years after that. So the scarcity of such a wood makes one wonder about that PR punch line or consider being proud of owning it. Then add use of solid titanium and you have the idea why this thing will make such expensive photographs.

But I do not want to make above sound like these cameras are anything, but a piece of art. Extremely well appointed and finished and not a mass production. So everything comes at a price.
 
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I know several photographers who own an Ebony, most of them use the 8x10, and one has a 4x5 wide.
They are well aware of the Ebony as a status symbol, but the same people also tell me it's the best view camera they've ever used.
 
I have never owned, or even seen, an Ebony camera
I am sure its Japanese makers were masters and that the wood is magnificent, the titanium light and strong, etc.
But, and I am being honest here, if I paid 15K for a camera I would not be able to enjoy it in the field!
I would be unable to eat my lunch and leave it in the truck, If I fell on the hike I would be devastated putting a scratch on the wood, etc.
I simply would not be happy.
They are beautiful but to much for a studio camera.
Hopefully you will find a customer that will disagree with me.
It might help if you add a couple of color photos.
All the best to you
 
I think the workmanship, the materials used and the fact that a company was put up to produce these beautiful and functional cameras in the first place, is unique but the functionality is the entire reason for non-collectors to buy and use these, "Bucket List" tools.

These cameras should hold together for years of hard used, and like all smoothly working, and well crafted tools, that are also beautiful, the differences between them and other cameras, that technically do the same 'job', lies in the pleasure and service experienced in the user's hands, regardless of the images rendered, beginner, long-time hobbyist or life long professional.

If someone does buy this camera, I hope it is to use as an everyday, Large Format, and does no sit on a shelf or tripod as trophy or decor, but whomever puts the money down for this will do as they will.
 
Actually, I respect IC's opinion and tend to agree with him many times! It is a beautiful camera, but then again so is a mint Deardorff!
 
Hello, the camera has sold. Thank you all kindly for your feedback and interest.
 
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