What to do with this?

[Justin Cormack]

Having just got together everything I needed to start shooting on my first plate camera (half plate, see previous thread), I alas had to go away for two weeks (staying in a lovely house, shooting colour medium format). And was really looking forward to my first large format shots. Next week now.

But ebay alas was still there, and I accidentally oopsed.

So not only do I have a second plate camera, its a Hunter Penrose 12x15 process camera, 1930s-1950s. Takes plates down to about full plate size apparently. Unfortuantely it doesnt fold. And I presume it has a very slow lens which probably doesnt cover the format at infinity.

So should I
(a) Reproduce maps as intended
(b) Stick a reversed enlarger lens in and do macro shots using the 150cm extension
(c) Find a huge portrait lens
(d) persuade a friend to truck mount it and take huge pictures of motorways in home-made glass plates
(e) realise it was probably a terrible mistake, wont fit in a small London flat
(f) convert it into a sofa
(g) invoke the sellers 7 day money back pledge as it is woefully misdescribed (circa 1860!)

I guess it really depends on the lens coverage, or ability to find something that covers the format, and the condition it really is in.

d. would be my preferred option...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140019910040

 

[Claire Senft]

Given you housing arrangements, I would not buy it.

 

[jimgalli]

You should (h)use it to print counterfit $$$ to pay for all the other crap you're going to be buying because you obviously are infected with the dreaded GAS

 

[glbeas]

Put a slab on top and use it for a work table. The lens looks like toast!

 

[Dan Fromm]

Hmm. UKP 201 plus VAT delivered and its basically unusable. And there were two other bids; didn't check, though, to see how many bids you placed.

Jim's right, you have it bad. You need the one-step cure. Just say NO!

If I were you I'd invoke the 7 day money back offer.

On the other hand, if you keep it you'll have a story to tell for the rest of your life. That wouldn't be worth the money to me, but you might find it so.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

 

[copake_ham]

This is a POS (and I am not using the acronym for Point of Sale).

Just say no!

Or take the end table suggestion - a nice grey-tone marble slab would look great after you polish up the woodwork!

 

[Justin Cormack]

yes, I was very silly. cancelled.

Back to being sensible now.

 

[Ole]

The only thing that camera could be used for, is to put a big glass slab on top of it and use it for a coffee table. Would be a nice coffe table, though...