Recommendations for 14x17 camera???

bobbysandstrom · Oct 1, 2005

I wanted an 11x14, then thought maybe I'd get an 8x10 enlarger. Now, I think I'd like to move on up to a nice 14x17. Any guidance regarding brand or what to watch out for would be much appreciated.

thanks a lot.
Bob

clay · Oct 1, 2005

I am getting ready to sell my Wisner 14x17. I have a Canham 12x20, and Keith is making a conversion 14x17 back for that camera so I don't have so much camera gear around here. I'll say that the Wisner is well built - in fact it is a tank. I would not want to walk much further than 100 feet from the car with this camera. It is approximately 35 pounds. That said, it is very beefy and rigid. Canham cameras are much lighter, but maybe not as rigid. I will take the lightness any day, but that is a personal choice.

What do you intend to use the camera for? A Wisner would be fine for a studio or a close-to-the-car camera. If you want want to throw on your shoulder and walk around, then a Canham would be the way to go.

bobbysandstrom said:
I wanted an 11x14, then thought maybe I'd get an 8x10 enlarger. Now, I think I'd like to move on up to a nice 14x17. Any guidance regarding brand or what to watch out for would be much appreciated.

thanks a lot.
Bob

Dave Wooten · Oct 2, 2005

I can recomment the Wisner 14 x 17 ... and also agree with all of Clay's observations....I do carry my camera in a vehicle and do not venture far...when I do...I have a carrier with three bicycle wheels and then no sweat what so ever...the camera is strong....once mounted up I feel the weight is an asset..the camera is also I feel quite beautiful.....

I do not go more that 20 or 30 feet from my vehicle...when I do it is in its "carriage"...however the vehicle is 4 wheel drive and I can usually transport all my "stuff" close enough...

absoultely awesome as a studio portrait or still life set up....

I dont think there are that many Wisner 14 x 17's out there ... I think Tracy Storer also has one.....Purchase Clays and join the club...

David · Oct 2, 2005

And then there's Lotus View Camera who make beautiful cameras and they make a stock 14x17. Their workmanship is exquisite.

Dead Link Removed

Dave Wooten · Oct 2, 2005

6750 euros for a lotus..

bobbysandstrom · Oct 2, 2005

Clay, what are you asking for the camera? Does it include film holders or anything else? How much does the Canham weigh?

thanks
bob

bobbysandstrom · Oct 2, 2005

I've joined the club! I Bought Clay's 14x17. (Can you see the big grin on my face?) Anyhow, thanks for the input guys. I look forward to pulling my first big beautiful neg out of the developer.

Bob

TracyStorer · Oct 5, 2005

Congrats! A little late, aince you sprung, but Clay and I have/had 14x17 Traditionals, mines about 27 pounds. Wisner has since offered lighter weight models. I love mine with one or two gripes.

bobbysandstrom · Oct 5, 2005

Thanks Tracy. Now I just gotta find some film to feed that thing!

TracyStorer · Oct 7, 2005

Call John Horowy of Bergger USA. last time I spoke with him he had some in stock.(awhile ago, but give him a try.)
Have holders already?

bobbysandstrom said:
Thanks Tracy. Now I just gotta find some film to feed that thing!

bobbysandstrom · Oct 7, 2005

Tracy, I have holders S&S but they are REALLY tight. Is there anything you can put on them (like wax) that won't hurt the film? I'll check into the Bergger thing.

Thanks
Bob

clay · Oct 7, 2005

Bobby, those holders are cherry and they seem to have a little expansion and contractions that goes on when the humidity changes. I never had much of a problem with them. but if you want them to slide a little easier, get some Johnson paste wax at the hardware store and put a thin layer on the wooden parts of the holder and then buff it. I had to do that a while back when I owned an old Korona that had a tight fit for the holders.

Paul Sorensen · Oct 7, 2005

bobbysandstrom said:
Thanks Tracy. Now I just gotta find some film to feed that thing!

J&C is showing Efke, and their brand, which is Forte I believe, on their site. The page is here.

sanking · Oct 7, 2005

clay said:
Bobby, those holders are cherry and they seem to have a little expansion and contractions that goes on when the humidity changes. I never had much of a problem with them. but if you want them to slide a little easier, get some Johnson paste wax at the hardware store and put a thin layer on the wooden parts of the holder and then buff it. I had to do that a while back when I owned an old Korona that had a tight fit for the holders.

Cherry is actually more dimensionally stable than walnut, which means that if you use cherry holders in a walnut back there will be times when the nominal dimensions of the two parts are not in equilibrium. Walnut is harder than cherry, but absorbs moisture from the air more readily.

We are now making S&S holders in both cherry and walnut, at about the same price. The walnut ones are about $10-15 more pe item than those in cherry since walnut is a bit harder and slightly more difficult to cut, and costs just a tad more in quantity purchase. We just made a batch of 7X17 walnut holders, with dual baffles, and have another batch of 12X20 on the way. Eventually we hope to stock all of the common sizes in both walnut and cherry, with the new dual baffle system.

Sandy

bobbysandstrom · Oct 7, 2005

My problem is with the darkslide going in and out of the holder...

sanking · Oct 8, 2005

bobbysandstrom said:
My problem is with the darkslide going in and out of the holder...

Bobby,

That is definitely a humidity probllem that will likely disappear when the moisture content of the wood and phenolic plastic stabilize.

Another problem with phenolic plastic in large size is that it sometimes warps and forms a curve which makes it difficult to remove the slide. A solution to this is to insert the slide with the dark slide out and allow it to stay that way for a day or so. This will usually reverse the bend.

Sandy

Jurgen Estanislao · May 1, 2023

sanking said:
Bobby,

That is definitely a humidity probllem that will likely disappear when the moisture content of the wood and phenolic plastic stabilize.

Another problem with phenolic plastic in large size is that it sometimes warps and forms a curve which makes it difficult to remove the slide. A solution to this is to insert the slide with the dark slide out and allow it to stay that way for a day or so. This will usually reverse the bend.

Sandy

Chiming in on an old thread—I have acquired two like new 14x17 S&S film holders and what I noticed is that film doesn't go in all the way, hence there is a lip of film that stays outside of the overall area for the film.

I have two older S&S holders which do not have these problems (sharing an image of the problematic ones, not sure which is cherry which is walnut).

Recommendations for 14x17 camera???

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