Keep Wista or Tachihara?

campy51 · Sep 13, 2017

I have been busy this week with Craigslist. I really didn't start out looking for a 4x5 field camera but when a Tachihara with a 210mm lens came up at a good price I thought I would give 4x5 another try. Then less than a week goes by and another ad pops up with more large format gear and there happen to be what I believe to be a Wista 45DX and a Fujinon 90mm. See my other threads. The Tachihara is in near new condition and Wista shows signs of a lot of use but has much better build quality and I will be selling one of them, but since I will be using either camera occasionally I thought the Tachihara would be fine me and I think the Wista is probably worth more anyway, even though the Wista was cheaper. Do you agree?

Alan Gales · Sep 13, 2017

I think you may have a Wista 45DX. The Wista 45D I believe was a metal camera.

Try them both out and see which you like the best. I used to own a Tachihara. I really liked it's light weight and very bright fresnel. I've never handled a Wista 45DX.

campy51 · Sep 13, 2017

Your right that was a typo. Is the Tachihara suppose to have a fresnel screen in front of the ground glass like what's on a graflex? I think the Wista has this installed.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...1229_4x5_Groundglass_Fresnel_Combination.html

campy51 · Sep 13, 2017

I just checked the Tach. and it does have the fresnel.

Max lisch · Sep 13, 2017

I've have been using a wista 45DX for a couple years now. Mine is a little beat up but it has functioned perfectly. I would personally keep the wista even if you aren't using it that often.

eddie · Sep 13, 2017

I think it's "six of one, half dozen of the other"... I've had a Calumet branded Tachihara for over 30 years. Build quality is not an issue.

campy51 · Sep 13, 2017

I will be selling one of them and prefer to sell the one that's worth the most.

Alan Gales · Sep 14, 2017

campy51 said:
I will be selling one of them and prefer to sell the one that's worth the most.

I doubt that one is worth much more than the other. Keep the one you like the best. You will be glad you did later.

John Koehrer · Sep 14, 2017

Take a look at Ebay SOLD auctions that should give you an idea of relative value. Initially I agree with your thought regarding $$$.
You spent less for the Wista and can sell it for the same $$ take the $$ and run. It's the capitalist way, buy low and sell high.

Keep Wista or Tachihara?

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