Opinions on these cameras.

campy51 · Apr 4, 2016

Can someone tell my why I should not buy one of these? One says half plate and I'm not sure what that means. It also mentions glass size as being smaller than 5x7 but yet it says it's a 5x7. If I am violating any rule by posting this please delete it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-V...953930?hash=item4afb9d0e4a:g:Nb8AAOSwjVVVhPVg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wooden-Fiel...198888?hash=item2a645946e8:g:-YoAAOSw7hRWQC74

campy51 · Apr 4, 2016

Can someone tell my why I should not buy one of these? One says half plate and I'm not sure what that means. It also mentions glass size as being smaller than 5x7 but yet it says it's a 5x7. It also looks like there isn't a bottom plate to mount on tripod. If I am violating any rule by posting this please delete it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-V...953930?hash=item4afb9d0e4a:g:Nb8AAOSwjVVVhPVg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wooden-Fiel...198888?hash=item2a645946e8:g:-YoAAOSw7hRWQC74

campy51 · Apr 4, 2016

How did I manage to post this multiple times?

Old-N-Feeble · Apr 4, 2016

Dunno...

Dunno...

Dunno...

Dunno...

Dunno...

shutterfinger · Apr 4, 2016

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_format scroll down the page to Single Image tables. Half plate is 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 inches.

MattKing · Apr 4, 2016

Half plate is a European/traditional film size - 4.25" x 6.5".

campy51 · Apr 4, 2016

So it won't take 5x7 film or holders? What about the second camera?

removed account4 · Apr 4, 2016

the 5x7 is nice. its a great format, but one of those sizes that no color film is made for
( unless you cut 8x10 down yourself ). i'd also make sure it is acutally 5x7, sometimes
people sell 13x18 mistakenly as 5x7 ... its a different film holder+film size and close enough
that people get confused.

Dan Fromm · Apr 4, 2016

I could be mistaken, but it isn't clear that camera #2 will mount on a standard tripod head. Very old-fashioned camera, should come with legs that attach to that pretty disk-shaped plate.

I could be mistaken, but it isn't clear that camera #2 will accept standard film holders. It seems to have a book-form back.

Run away, run away.

mdarnton · Apr 4, 2016

I considered these once, but they appear to be non-standard as regards what goes on the back, as Dan says, so it seemed that getting a back from somewhere else, then fitting it, would be necessary. Once you get into that, there are better bargains to be had. Also, I know you're new to this so you don't have any context (and others can certainly disagree with me on this), but those things look like cheap jewelry from the dime store, aesthetically. A better buy would be, for instance, a 5x7 Korona, making sure it's in good condition and includes the not-always-there extra back track section. I bought one of those recently for around $250 with a lens, the track, and a case, in great shape, and that's a common enough price. I don't see one on Ebay at the moment that qualifies, but they're common enough.

Wayne · Apr 4, 2016

jnanian said:
the 5x7 is nice. its a great format, but one of those sizes that no color film is made for
( unless you cut 8x10 down yourself ).

As of last year there was still a once-a-year or so special order of Ektar 5x7 through Canham Camera.

No comment on the cameras except there's no need to buy a 5x7 from Japan...unless you live in Japan. Plenty of others around.

campy51 · Apr 7, 2016

What about this? It looks functional and like it would be nice refinished.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252342809386?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

eddie · Apr 7, 2016

I think the 2D price is a bit high. I picked one up, about a year ago, in the same, or better, condition. It also had a lens, intact ground glass, tripod (not one I use), a few holders, and a case for under $350, including shipping. Good deals are out there, if you're willing to wait. I think I waited about 6 months before getting one at a price I was comfortable paying.

campy51 · Apr 7, 2016

eddie said:
I think the 2D price is a bit high. I picked one up, about a year ago, in the same, or better, condition. It also had a lens, intact ground glass, tripod (not one I use), a few holders, and a case for under $350, including shipping. Good deals are out there, if you're willing to wait. I think I waited about 6 months before getting one at a price I was comfortable paying.

Is it a descent starter camera?

eddie · Apr 7, 2016

Starting with 5x7? Or starting large format? If you have film experience, it's a good place to start if it comes with a 4x5 back (mine did). Depends on what you want to do with it. If it's for contact printing/alt stuff, 5x7 is nice. If you're looking to enlarge silver gelatin prints, a 4x5 is probably a better place to start. 4x5 enlargers are easier to come by than 5x7 enlargers.

removed account4 · Apr 7, 2016

5x7 film is almost 2x the price of 4x5 film ( b/w )
unless you are shooting xray film, or paper negatives
it might be an expensive format to learn on.
and then there is the processing. unless you have a jobo/unicolor drum or
other sort of roller drum or "tank" system, you will need to purchase 5x7 deep-tanks and hangers
or learn the art of tray processing 5x7 film.
its a great format, but a lot of people shy away from it because of the lack of an abundance of
color film, cost and processing.

good luck !

Doc W · Apr 7, 2016

campy51 said:
Is it a descent starter camera?

As a few others have said, 5x7 is not a great starter camera mainly because of the cost of the film. If you are not familiar with view cameras, then start with 4x5 and buy inexpensive student film at first. If you want a 5x7 because you really like the format, then get one with an additional 4x5 back.

campy51 · Apr 8, 2016

I have developed b&w 4x5 before but I also had an enlarger at the time. I thought if I went 5x7 I would do contact prints so I wouldn't have to do the enlarger again. I would only be doing a half dozen or so a month at most. I just want to play around around with it and see if the bug would get me. It didn't the first time around. Are there any reasonably priced scanners that would do 5x7?

Ian Grant · Apr 8, 2016

Great Half plate cameras but you'd need book form plate/film holders or make/adapt a modern 7x5 back. I'd buy the second except the tax on the purchase price and the sipping would add about 34% but then I have a spare 7x5/half plate spring back.

Ian

Barlow · Apr 8, 2016

campy51 said:
I have developed b&w 4x5 before but I also had an enlarger at the time. I thought if I went 5x7 I would do contact prints so I wouldn't have to do the enlarger again. I would only be doing a half dozen or so a month at most. I just want to play around around with it and see if the bug would get me. It didn't the first time around. Are there any reasonably priced scanners that would do 5x7?

If you just want to make contact prints, I'd go with 8x10. A functional Kodak 2-D 8x10 can be had for $200-300.

campy51 · Apr 8, 2016

Barlow said:
If you just want to make contact prints, I'd go with 8x10. A functional Kodak 2-D 8x10 can be had for $200-300.

Where?

Doc W · Apr 8, 2016

If you have experience with 4x5 and you want to go larger to contact print, then an 8x10 with a 5x7 back would be ideal. You can probably get something decent for under 1K and maybe even less. I used an old Ansco for some time and it came with a 5x7 back. I think you could probably get one for around 500-600 or even less. I now have a Kodak Master 8x10 with a 5x7 back but it is probably closer to 1.5-2K.

pdeeh · Apr 9, 2016

campy51 said:
Where?

In the USA.

But if you are not in the USA, you are likely to have to pay more.

You might find it helpful to put your location in your profile so that people can see where you are and not make suggestions or observations that are appropriate only to their own locality. Although that's no guarantee ...

It sounds a bit as though it might be helpful for you to understand the "ins and outs" of large format so that you know a bit more about what you're looking at, and when you ask questions, to understand the implications of some of the answers ... so this is a good place to start http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

Some of the articles were written a few years ago, but are still perfectly valid, though some manufacturers referred to may have ceased trading etc, the basics are all there.

Barlow · Apr 13, 2016

campy51 said:
Where?

I bought a Kodak 2-D 8x10 for $225 through the For Sale forum on the largeformatphotography.info website a few years ago.

Neil Poulsen · Apr 14, 2016

I'm not an expert on these cameras. But designs I've encountered similar to these were landscape orientation only. If this is important to you, I would check it out prior to purchase.

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