New toy.. gulp!

[TheFlyingCamera]

Well, I just won a Zone VI 8x10 field camera on ebay. This was my first time using sniping software to buy something, and I guessed right on my max bid. That was financially painful, but I'd rather spend the money on the camera and be able to get out and shoot than stare all day at my Calumet C1 sitting in my living room on its tripod, not getting any use because it's a pain to lug around. I'm surprised the Zone VI's didn't do better in the marketplace- I guess it was a case of right camera at wrong time- minimum 3" bellows, max 38". Now I can do true 1:1 macro with my 14" commercial Ektar, and then some, and maybe even use my 600mm Apo-Germinar (with a front-mounted Packard) if it won't rip the front standard off the camera from the weight.

 

[david b]

I had a bid on that. Very nice. Good luck.

 

[rbarker]

Have fun with it. There's just something about looking at the big screen under the dark cloth.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Ralph- I'm already an 8x10 addict - love the format. Yeah- there's something quite special about that giant groundglass- like watching TV, but better, because it IS reality! And it's upside down and backwards too! Now I'll have one I can actually travel around with, and will fit in known backpacks/carrying cases.

 

[Dave Parker]

Ground Glass / TV......believe me, I know the feeling I am always in awe, when I set the 8x10 up, there is just something about looking at the back of the camera when all it good!!!

Congrats, have a ball with it, we expect pictures!

Dave

 

[Robert Hall]

My 8x10 feels quite natural in that respect. Not quite the spontaneity of a 35, but it has it's perks.

Anything bigger seems to be work. One has to do this kind of waddle from side to side to see what the ground glass has in it.

You should get a nikkor 120mm and see if your bellows will run it as well.

Congrats

 

[John Kasaian]

Congratulations! Sounds like a fine combination and just in time for summer!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Robert- I don't have a 120 (after buying this, it isn't in the budget!) but I do have a Wolly 159mm F12. I know the camera will handle the 159 at infinity, if the minimum is 3". I should be able to focus a 90mm to infinity with 3" minimum bellows (no movements mind you). I'm now getting visions of making a 4x10 reducing back or a 5x12 expansion back to use with it.

 

[wfe]

Congrats Scott!!! I know you will enjoy it.


Regards,
Bill

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Bill- I'm going to bring it to our next Mid-Atlantic APUG get-together.

 

[wfwhitaker]

Looks nice! Ya even got the box. Congrats!

 

[gr82bart]

Oh oh, another one with GAS?

Art.

 

[User Removed]

I was watching that camera on Ebay. My gosh, it was a beauty! You are really going to love it.

I better get that extra 50 bucks sent over to you so you can afford to eat this month! haha!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Well, the big beast arrived today. Wow - sweet camera. It looks like it may have been used at most a dozen times. There aren't even any scratches on the tripod socket. It IS the Zone VI Ultralight version. Now I need to find a backpack or other carrying case to haul it around with. I think this will work well on my chinese Bogen copy tripod with the 3039 head (or is it 3046?).

 

[BradS]

That's a beauty. Congrats.

 

[wilsonneal]

Congrats. I am sure you'll be happy.

Just curious. With what you paid for that you could have had a very nice (okay probably not quite as clean) Deardorff V8. I've seen some nice Deardorff's going for $1000 recently. What made you go for the Zone VI?

Neal

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

three major factors - 38" of bellows, more front movements, and lighter weight- this one is the Zone VI Ultralight model, which weighs in at under 10 lbs.

 

[Jeremy]

three major factors - 38" of bellows, more front movements, and lighter weight- this one is the Zone VI Ultralight model, which weighs in at under 10 lbs.

I measured my V8 at 36" of extension, it only lacks front shift which I can fake with both swings, and weighs in at about 12 pounds. IMHO, I don't think the camera weight is the big factor, the film holders are.