Seroco View Camera?

I'm buying a Seroco for $200 with the case n film holders that is in good condition, bellows look almost new and are light tight so the seller says. Looks better than the one at the bottom of this page... http://www.cwriley.com/photica/cameras/drop_bed.htm

Anyone have anything they can tell me about this camera and if it's worth $200? Maybe give me some tips on using it? I haven't shot LF in over 40 years so I need all the help I can get.

The Seroco camera line was sold by Sears Roebuck & Company SE-RO-CO.
They contracted out with suppliers to make a complete line of photographic equipment. It is usually of good quality.

This drop-bed type of wooden LF camera is not the most desirable kind of view camera for quality work, as your movements are either absent, or limited. These were, for the most part, amateur cameras. Depending on when it was made, it may, or may not take modern sheet film holders, as the glass plate holders of this early time period were not always standardized into the outside holder dimensions we now use for cut film. So even if you have a 4x5 camera, the 4x5 plate holders may not be identical to 4x5 cut film holders and 4x5 cut film holders may not fit, thus limiting yourself to only the holders you get with the camera, which may or may not leak light. I think, in my opinion, for your $200 you could do better for a "user" camera. This is more a "looker" than a "user".

The Seroco does take standard sized film holders.
Don't be put off by those who have never learned to use these wonderful old cameras.
When used by a knowledgeable person, they can do just about anything a monorail can do. The Seroco'c one limitation which is most difficult to overcome is the lack of front swings. But if complicated movements such as might be necessary for serious architectural work are not encountered, it can do anything.
A lot of very nice work was done by E. Weston, Ansel, Strand, I.Cunningham and many others with cameras very similar to the Seroco. SOme may have even used a Seroco. When the Universal came out with full movements, Weston switched to one. Ansel switched to a magnesium/aluminum version of the 2D.
Look at some of the work Jim Galli puts on this web site occasionally and note the equipment used.

Have fun with it!
Jim

I wasn't implying that one "couldn't" do quality work with a vintage drop-bed camera, rather it is "harder" to do quality work when you have to work within the limitations of the rather primitive design of the Seroco and other lower-end drop bed wooden cameras. Experienced photographers (and I consider myself one of those) can coax nice images out of just about anything....but for a first LF camera? to learn technique on? I would pick something different. Something with more potential..like say a more modern drop-bed camera such as a Busch Pressman, or a Crown Graphic, which could still fall within his outlay for this Seroco.

paul ron said:

I'm buying a Seroco for $200 with the case n film holders that is in good condition, bellows look almost new and are light tight so the seller says. Looks better than the one at the bottom of this page... http://www.cwriley.com/photica/cameras/drop_bed.htm

Anyone have anything they can tell me about this camera and if it's worth $200? Maybe give me some tips on using it? I haven't shot LF in over 40 years so I need all the help I can get.

Click to expand...

I own a Seroco, that will shoot whole plate, and is in very good condition, possibly in better condition than the one shown at the bottom of the page. The holders were originally designed for dry plate with 5x7 and 4x5 inserts. I also have film septums for two holders that allow the use of sheet film.

The shutter on the Wollensack 8.5 inch lens is sticky and needs cleaning but the glass is pristine. I have thought about converting the camera to wet plate.

IMO, a 4x5 is probably worth $150 to $200 depending on condition. It will make good photogrpahs, I've even shot Ektachrome film with though it has been years since I tried that. The bellows are in great condition.

I would say if you are interested in the camera go for it as long as the sellar will give you return privileges if the camera arrives in a condition not like you expect. Just remember though, you are buying an antique.

I have worked with LF before but I haven't played with it in over 40 years so yes this will be a first camera and I am not very technically up to date. I'm sure it will be just a passing thing and the camera may just end up a show piece since I am heavily involved with MF.

I am looking forward to playing and am more concerned with how to use sheet film. I'll have to load 5x7s in the holders that come with th e camera, but would like to know if I can adapt standard 4x5 n 5x7 holders maybe with some modifications. Has anyone ever done this with theirs?

Thanks for the input guys.