:o Cheap Calumet

Soeren · Dec 1, 2006

A new camera for 400$

http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CC3001/1.html

Whats the catch?
Maybe I havn't seen it all but it's the cheapest new LF I have seen. To bad it aint 5X7"
Cheers
Søren

Mick Fagan · Dec 1, 2006

I looked around nearly a year, for a cheap entry level 4x5 camera. This was the cheapest one I saw anywhere on the net. I don't think there is a catch, just value for money and when you wish to move on to a better or different view camera, you would no doubt look closely at the better specified Calumet cameras. A good long term advertising strategy, I would say.

Interestingly, I ended up buying a secondhand bottom end Calumet, which was manufactured in the sixties, as far as I can work out. Pretty much yesterdays version, of the above camera.

It works very well, as it should, nothing flash, just a very basic monorail camera with very useful movements for a nominal $118 USD (locally I might add).

It would appear from my searches, the Argentum field cameras made in Hungary, are about the cheapest and possibly most reasonably built. I think the Chinese camera manufacturers come a very close second to Argentum.

You really want a 5x7 don't you?

Mick.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 1, 2006

The "catch" is extremely limited expandability, and extremely limited accessories. Just about anything you buy for it will not work on any upgrade camera you might replace it with later. And if the longest lens you can use on it is a 305, for a monorail that's pretty limiting. I'm not even sure the lensboards fit other Calumet cameras.

Nick Zentena · Dec 1, 2006

The catch is you should be able to find a used higher end camera for less money.

Logan Group · Dec 1, 2006

Have you considered a used Sinar? The Sinar F (and in some cases the F1 and F2) are going for next to nothing on eBay and there are a ton of accessories out there for them. I've shot with a F2 for years and bought a second one off eBay with a meter back and extension rail for $480.

Soeren · Dec 1, 2006

Yep

Logan Group said:
Have you considered a used Sinar? The Sinar F (and in some cases the F1 and F2) are going for next to nothing on eBay and there are a ton of accessories out there for them. I've shot with a F2 for years and bought a second one off eBay with a meter back and extension rail for $480.

I am looking for a second hand camera and trying to save some money for it.
The 5X7" Sinars I have seen on German E-bay ended up being too expensive for my wallet but the Plaubel Pecos often goes for a reasonable amount so that will probably be my choice.

Edit.
Maybe I should ad that I posted this because I was surprised by the low tag on the calumet it is almost low enough for a new camera to make me consider the smaller format for a firsttime LF camera. Then I was curious about the reason for the low price. Well nothing has changed, Im still going for a 5X7".

Cheers
Søren

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 1, 2006

There's a reason the Plaubels go so cheap- they're an extinct system. You'll spend months hunting for some strange accessory if you need one. If it isn't listed in the classifieds here, you might want to look over on the LF Forum for the Rochester 5x7 listed by WFWhitaker. I've seen and handled the camera in question- while it is short on movements, it is a fantastic light travel camera. Note, I have no stake in the sale of the camera. I just know the owner and so I've had the chance to see it and handle it in the flesh.

papagene · Dec 1, 2006

The Cadet is a decent camera if you can live with its limitations, which I can. I bought mine before I ever heard of ebay. When it was introduced it received many good reviews fore being more camera than the $399 it cost.
If you get it with the international graflock back there are more accessories available than without. And it is light enough to take on hikes around the Quabbin.

gene

Nick Zentena · Dec 1, 2006

If you don't need a monorail usually you can find an Ansco 5x7 for around $200 or less.

Soeren · Dec 2, 2006

TheFlyingCamera said:
There's a reason the Plaubels go so cheap- they're an extinct system. You'll spend months hunting for some strange accessory if you need one. If it isn't listed in the classifieds here, you might want to look over on the LF Forum for the Rochester 5x7 listed by WFWhitaker. I've seen and handled the camera in question- while it is short on movements, it is a fantastic light travel camera. Note, I have no stake in the sale of the camera. I just know the owner and so I've had the chance to see it and handle it in the flesh.

Thanks for the hint, Scott
It is listed here but as you say, its short on movements.
Plaubel managed to send me the old prospects on the Peco universal II-III so I have most of the partsnumbers for them. My father in law is a skilled craftsmann so I'm not put of by the risk of not being able to get the right parts. Furthermore Plaubels and parts for them are quite common on German E-bay.
Offcource I would rather have an Ebony or a Walker but.........
Cheers
Søren

DrPablo · Dec 2, 2006

I've used both the 45N and now the Cambo Legend. There are differences, but as bare bones as it was, the 45N is still highly capable for a camera that can go for $200 or less on the used market. There were no movements that I have on the Legend that I didn't have on the 45N other than the rotating back.

The above comment is correct about expandability. I upgraded to the legend mainly to get a monorail extension. It's also a lot easier to disassemble the Legend for transport. But the accessories for the Legend and the 45N are otherwise interchangeable (lens boards, bellows, compendium shade).

Soeren · Dec 2, 2006

Oh yes, expandability.
But, how much does one need?
In terms of lenses and accesories etc?
Cheers
Søren

Peter Williams · Dec 21, 2006

I just bought a hardly used Cadet on Ebay and it's a surprisingly decent camera for the price. I picked it up with lens (Caltar II-N), film holders, darkcloth, loupe, Polariod back, filter set and case for $300. I also have the Toyo 45CX (the entry level monorail) and for a first LF camera on the cheap, I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Peter

Jim Noel · Dec 21, 2006

At one time I bought both models of this camera new for a total of $300 and after minimal usage decided that was too much for these cameras. They basically are junk.

A beginner is much better off with almost any older camera. A good example is a Graphic View or especially a Graphic View II. There are many models available for $250 or less that far surpass the ability of the Cadets.

Ian Grant · Dec 21, 2006

I have one of these cameras, it's simple with superb movements, plenty of rail lenght. For the price it is amazing.

Its far more flexible than a field camera, and if you want lenses over 300mm then you can buy a tele lens.

Ian

TheFlyingCamera said:
The "catch" is extremely limited expandability, and extremely limited accessories. Just about anything you buy for it will not work on any upgrade camera you might replace it with later. And if the longest lens you can use on it is a 305, for a monorail that's pretty limiting. I'm not even sure the lensboards fit other Calumet cameras.

John Bartley · Dec 21, 2006

I can imagine (not having fondled one ) that they might be a bit on the "limited" side, both in quality and features, but you can only expect so much for $400. For a first time LF user though, the idea of having something "new" without inheriting any previous owners troubles and accompanied by a warranty can be very appealing. When I bought my first LF unit, a 4x5 Calumet 400, I decided on an amount of money that I was prepared to walk away from and I bought a used one for just less than that. Not everyone can or will buy that way, no matter how good a deal a used one "might" be.

cheers

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