Wista 4X5

Paul Sorensen · Sep 30, 2005

I have a question for folks who have experience with Wista cameras. There is a Wista 4X5 available locally for $450 that I am thinking about getting. It is in nice shape except for wrinkled bellows. Are there different models of Wista? I see them selling for a lot more than this on eBay, so I wonder about that. All the ones on eBay say DX in the listing, but this one does not have any such marking that I can find, it does say Wista Field on the front.

I am also attaching photos swiped from their web site (Shhh, don't tell anyone) I would love it if someone who knows more about these things could give me some advice about them.

Thanks!

Paul.

BradS · Sep 30, 2005

ah....what was the web site again???

Seriously though, that looks like a bargain. I would want some solid assurance that the wrinkles in the bellows are a cosmetic issue only. That is, that the bellows do not leak, that they do not interfere with the camera folding up completely, etc...

If a new bellows is required, this is not such a good deal.

Paul Sorensen · Sep 30, 2005

Actually, have at it, I just bought a Sun Foto new from Jim at Midwest. He threw in an extra lens board and I am getting one of his demos that he took home to test out, for $425.

It is at the Camera Trader in Denver. http://www.thecameratrader.com. They are insisting that they don't know if the bellows leak and I have not played with it so I am not at all sure about the ability to fold the camera. Honestly I was not thrilled to do business with them after talking to them today on the phone. They knew full well what these things sell for on eBay and yet they have had it on their shelf for at least six months and have not bothered to list it there. I am assuming based on that that there is something wrong with it.

If you want, I will go there and take a look at it for you, but I don't know how easy it will be to test the bellows there. I can certainly take a lens, holder, and flashlight with me to check for leaks, however.

Paul.

ann · Sep 30, 2005

i have had one since the 70's. It is lovely too look at and wonderful to use. For me, it is just the thing.

Depending upon your use may dedicate your decision. It has limited camera movements, however, for my use that is not critical for you that may differ.

Mine is rosewood and still looks brand new, but it is not the DX model, which came later. Has held up well and has been worth the cost.

BradS · Sep 30, 2005

Paul Sorensen said:
Actually, have at it, I just bought a Sun Foto new from Jim at Midwest. He threw in an extra lens board and I am getting one of his demos that he took home to test out, for $425.

It is at the Camera Trader in Denver. http://www.thecameratrader.com. They are insisting that they don't know if the bellows leak and I have not played with it so I am not at all sure about the ability to fold the camera. Honestly I was not thrilled to do business with them after talking to them today on the phone. They knew full well what these things sell for on eBay and yet they have had it on their shelf for at least six months and have not bothered to list it there. I am assuming based on that that there is something wrong with it.

If you want, I will go there and take a look at it for you, but I don't know how easy it will be to test the bellows there. I can certainly take a lens, holder, and flashlight with me to check for leaks, however.

Paul.

Thanks Paul, I'd love to take you up on the offer but, my accountant says that the budget won't allow it right now (but see if she doesn't come home with a pair of shoes that were "ON SALE!" this weekend...).

Somebody here was desperate for a Wista not long ago...maybe he's still looking.

MurrayMinchin · Sep 30, 2005

Is that what my camera used to look like? EEGAD!!!

My Wista G7 is 24 years old, and judging by its appearance compared to the unit pictured, mine has had a hard life. It has served me well through the years with only the odd screw needing tightening every 5 years or so, and the bellows are still OK.

As I only use it from a backpack and not in a studio for portraiture or product photography, or for commercial architectural work where more movements would be needed, it's perfect for me

Murray

mgb74 · Sep 30, 2005

My Zone VI was made by Wista. Has both Zone VI and Wista markings. Looks exactly the same at the one in the pics. I would consider $450 an excellent price.

JHannon · Sep 30, 2005

What causes the problem with wrinkled bellows? I have seen several cameras with this condition.

Dave Parker · Sep 30, 2005

For some reason, every single Wista I have looked at, has the wrinkled bellows problem, don't know why, but do know that in this style of field camera it seems to be a problem.

Dave

df cardwell · Sep 30, 2005

The problem with Wista bellows, and Linhof bellows, is misuse and impatience by photographers. They usually don't leak, but look awful because the owner wasn't paying attention to all the stuff going on. it happens when you close the camera up. All viewcameras should be returned to neutral settings after a shot, but with so much taper in the bellows, closing it when it isn't zeroed will crumple the bellows. Once is all it takes. Happens all the time with Technikardens. Sigh.

Wasn't DX the designation for a sliding rear ? Dunno, don't remember.

Mongo · Sep 30, 2005

Paul Sorensen said:
They are insisting that they don't know if the bellows leak...

Considering how easy it is to find out if bellows are light tight, claims of not knowing whether the bellows leak always makes me believe the bellows do leak. (Perhaps I'm more cynical than I thought, but this reminds me of sellers on eBay who claim they don't know if a camera works, when most of their completed auctions are for camera equipment.)

Paul Sorensen · Oct 1, 2005

Mongo said:
Considering how easy it is to find out if bellows are light tight, claims of not knowing whether the bellows leak always makes me believe the bellows do leak. (Perhaps I'm more cynical than I thought, but this reminds me of sellers on eBay who claim they don't know if a camera works, when most of their completed auctions are for camera equipment.)

That's kind of what I thought too. Also, they knew full well what they sell for on eBay, and were willing to sell it to me for $450. And they have had it on their shelves for over six months, knowing full well what they bring on eBay. Too many bad messages there.

Ross Chambers · Oct 1, 2005

Mine has the slightly wrinkled bellows, I DID buy it second-hand this way. It has never exhibited any light leaks and I'm sure the bellows are sound.

What I do find difficult on the Wista DX is the combination of front base tilt, two levers to juggle to achieve this, and my less than perfect old blue eyes.

My Toyo monorail, with axial tilt and only the lens board to move, is far more easily front tilted.

I suggest that -- if possible -- you try juggling the front tilt and see if you are happy with the procedure.

Regards - Ross

mikewhi · Oct 1, 2005

A friend owns one of these and I had it in my posession for a while. I found it to be a baisc 4x5, perfectly capable of doing the job for general landscape work, kinda like for people who would buy from Fred Picker years ago. I owned one of it's earlier brothers and it served me perfectly fine for 10+ years until I bought a Canham 5x7\4x5. One of his brass knobs froze in place which was a pain. Parts are hard to get - one tiny part for his that I needed had to be fabricated by Richard Ritter for $50+ smackers.

At this time, if I were going to spend that amount I would look very closely at a Shen Hao. My friend's nephew just got into 4x5 andhe made that his first camera and from what I hear that may be the best entry level (or better) camera out there.

-Mike

grahamp · Oct 1, 2005

I find my Wista does the job. It does need some understanding to fold - especially remembering to loosen all the clamps. Although mine has six movements (rear shift, swing, and tilt; front swing, tilt, and rise) and spring back, it doesn't rate a 'DX' label, just a serial number, so I suspect it is a few years old. It has a home-brew central tripod mount which I improved a little. Makes the unit more stable, though I cannot keep a lens mounted in the folded state. The modification is reversable.

I found it locally via Craigslist, including a 135mm Symmar-S, 6 film holders, and darkcloth. Original boxes, too. It cost me $650 a couple of years ago, which seemed fair at the time. Call it $440 for the camera body.

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