I need to get rid of some equipment, so this versatile Wista 45D camera is up for sale.
What sets this one apart from other Wistas is that it's sporting a brand new set of bellows made by Custom Bellows in the UK. These bellows, which cost about $190, are far more flexible than the stiff, papery ones they replaced, and allow significantly more movements with wide lenses. One of the pictures shows a Nikkor 90/8 (NOT included ) focused at infinity with 30mm of rise. Similarly, with a 75mm lens mounted, I can raise the front standard until it hits the inside top of the rear standard box.
Other features of the 45D include:
- rear swing with micro-adjust (the smaller knobs on the rear standard).
- lockable geared rise on the front standard.
- interchangeable bellows (although because the new ones are so flexible, I wouldn't bother with the Wista bag bellows).
- forward and backward front tilt (not sure exactly how much but plenty for the majority of shooting situations).
- combined GG and fresnel with glass cover - won't get scratched by your loupe. This is a bright and easy to focus screen. The GG does have some not too obtrusive pencil marks from a previous owner which I didn't try to remove.
- removable folding focusing hood.
- rotating back.
- max extension will focus a 270mm lens on a flat board or a 300 with top-hat board. Something like a Fujinon 250mm would be ideal depending how close you like to focus.
- small lenses (49-52mm filter size, Copal 0) can fold up inside. The Linhof-style board must be the centered-hole type for this (available at a reasonable price on ebay).
All movements and locks are working properly and smoothly. As you can see, the leatherette is peeling a bit and the bubble level has dried up. I used the camera with one of those 2-way levels that slips into the hotshoe, which was accurate enough for my purposes.
All-in-all a very nice camera that folds into a compact package.
Price is $525 (US, or CAD if you're in Canada) plus shipping. Paypal accepted. I ship worldwide, but be warned that shipping for this out of North America will be costly...
Please PM with any questions...
Thanks!
Jim