Wives, convertible BMWs and LF Cameras...

BradS · Aug 10, 2005

Last weekend I was sitting out on the back patio sipping a little of Tennesee's finest when my accountant, out of the blue, says "why don't you sell the BMW and buy yourself that nice wood field camera you've been dreaming about?".

Ok, so I bought a well used BMW convertible a little over a year ago and have put maybe 250 miles on it since....it just sits in the garage..a real garage queen. My wife's motivation is quite transparent...you see, before the BMW, that portion of the garage now occupied by the garage queen belonged to her car. It is summer here and it is HOT. Her car has to sit out in the sun and cook....a few weeks ago, she wanted to sell the BMW to pay for the piano we just bought...the notion was quickly and decisively vetoed.

Anyway, when first she suggested the idea, I just kinda laughed to myself but, now, I'm thinking...I might be able to get a nice Canham Traditional or....a Wisner Technical. I'd really like the Ebony but, if I buy new, would prefer to support our domestic craftsmen (like Keith Canham and Ron Wisner)....so, what do y'all think? Should I "go for it"? Should I call her on it?

And if so, what could I get for around $3000 ????

Paul Sorensen · Aug 10, 2005

I would, but then I don't think I would have bought the car to start with. If you have put so few miles on it, you won't even miss it when it is gone. Your accountant will be happy and so will you. Sounds perfect to me. Makes me wonder what kind of a deal I can work with my accountant.

I think you should go for a really good used camera. Are you looking for an 8X10? At 4X5 you could get one hell of a used camera and a passel of newish lenses for the money. For 8X10, I suspect you could get a really good camera and a couple of nice lenses. You must go for it!

jimgalli · Aug 10, 2005

Wood and glass is always a fine investment Better jump on that 355 G-Claron I just listed so you'll have the killer lens for the 8X10 you're dreaming about. Did WFW ever sell his 11X14?

highpeak · Aug 10, 2005

Let's see, for 3000 bucks, you can get a very nice wooden 4X5 camera, a 90mm super angulon, 150mm rodenstock, 210mm schneider convertible, pentax spot meter, polaroid back, of cause they are used, just like your new BMW, throw in some films and holders, and you are ready. Or, you can go big, like 8X10, but you will have less lens to start with. For the remaining of the money, arrange a nice diner and figure out how to explain it to her.

Jorge · Aug 10, 2005

Bager sells the Canham JMC 8x10 for $2600 and the wood field for $3200. Your choice!

You can alaways wait for one to come up on E bay, but they are few and far between.

BradS · Aug 10, 2005

Jim, Saw the new G-Claron...that and a Canham 8x10 traditional would be a sweet entry into the world of 8x10....we shall see. I think I saw WFW post a 7x17 or somesuch not long ago...I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on the Wisner kit he sold a while back. That was a sweet outfit. Somebody here at APUG bought it...hmmm, I wonder...?

Paul, yeah, I'm thinking 8x10. In 4x5, I already have a Crown Graphic, a Toyo monorail and a handful of unremarkable lenses. I guess, while I'm dreaming, I might as well dream big. I do like your idea of going for a camera AND a few nice lenses however....

Nicole · Aug 10, 2005

hmm, Brad, should've listened to you wife. you could've made her happy and still get the camera.

My suggestion is, whatever you do, include a gift for her too.

Kind regards,
Nicole

BradS · Aug 10, 2005

Nicole Boenig-McGrade said:
hmm, Brad, should've listened to you wife. you could've made her happy and still get the camera.

My suggestion is, whatever you do, include a gift for her too.

Kind regards,
Nicole

Nicole, Excellent suggestion. Thanks for your insight.

MattCarey · Aug 10, 2005

Gee, I feel honored to have seen the BMW out of the garage!

Get everything at once. One big package (or a few within a week) and it is all from the sale of the car. A bunch of boxes delivered to your door over a month...not such an easy sell.

Nicole's advice is excellent!

This is probably not the time to bottom fish too much. Get it right the first time. Work with people you trust. Get good film holders.

One suggestion might be the 'dorff on equinox. They state that it is their old user camera. Should be in good shape. Otherwise, talk to the good people at MPEX, they might be able to put together a package for you.

Why a field camera? If you could find one, consider the pocket 8x10 like the good Prof. Goldfarb has. Packs small and light. Your kids will be able to carry it sooner than a wood camera!

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

Matt

MattCarey · Aug 10, 2005

BradS said:
Jim, Saw the new G-Claron...that and a Canham 8x10 traditional would be a sweet entry into the world of 8x10....we shall see. I think I saw WFW post a 7x17 or somesuch not long ago...I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on the Wisner kit he sold a while back. That was a sweet outfit. Somebody here at APUG bought it...hmmm, I wonder...?

I think that a 7x17 wouldn't be a good plan. Just my opinion, but you have been posting more portraits lately. 8x10 is just too generally usefull. Unless you have a reason (or already have an 8x10) don't go for the ULF stuff.

Of course, I don't have anything bigger than 4x5, so what do I know? I think Jim's Circuit camera is still on eBay! 10"x 6 feet!

Matt

BradS · Aug 10, 2005

MattCarey said:
Gee, I feel honored to have seen the BMW out of the garage!

Get everything at once. One big package (or a few within a week) and it is all from the sale of the car. A bunch of boxes delivered to your door over a month...not such an easy sell.

Nicole's advice is excellent!

This is probably not the time to bottom fish too much. Get it right the first time. Work with people you trust. Get good film holders.

One suggestion might be the 'dorff on equinox. They state that it is their old user camera. Should be in good shape. Otherwise, talk to the good people at MPEX, they might be able to put together a package for you.

Why a field camera? If you could find one, consider the pocket 8x10 like the good Prof. Goldfarb has. Packs small and light. Your kids will be able to carry it sooner than a wood camera!

Good luck, let us know how it works out.

Matt

Hey Matt,

Geeez, I can't believe I forgot about Peter Gowland...yeah, an 8x10 Gowland All moves, poket view would be fantastic! I wonder if Mr. Gowland still has any laying around...probably not huh.

and you're right, definitely no time to bottom fish....this is my BMW we're talking about here. Unfortunately, I think the real trick will be to sell the thing.

Brad.

Graeme Hird · Aug 10, 2005

Sell the car, convert the wife and get two LF cameras!

Seriously, get rid of the car and buy something you will use and enjoy. Just having a cool wife will be a benefit greater than you can imagine.

BradS · Aug 10, 2005

Graeme Hird said:
Sell the car, convert the wife and get two LF cameras!

Seriously, get rid of the car and buy something you will use and enjoy. Just having a cool wife will be a benefit greater than you can imagine.

Graeme, This is almost exactly the way my wife put it (the second part that is).

André E.C. · Aug 10, 2005

Nicole Boenig-McGrade said:
hmm, Brad, should've listened to you wife. you could've made her happy and still get the camera.

My suggestion is, whatever you do, include a gift for her too.

Kind regards,
Nicole

Of all the posts of this thread, this one is without any doubt, the ONE.
That`s the "road" to perfection.

Cheers

André

Tom Stanworth · Aug 10, 2005

You have a perfect scanrio here!

My 2 Cents is to get the best camera for your needs wherever it happens to be made. It gives me real pleasure to buy British, but I only do so when it is the best or equal best product.

Buying new or used for teh camera?

PeterDendrinos · Aug 10, 2005

Ok, so here's the deal. I'm assuming your accountant is your wife. You shot her down on the piano funding, now she want you to get the camera.

My friend this will cost you well more than you know. once you have the camera, you loose any control you may have had over where discretionary dollars will be applied in the future.

Mind you, even is the accountant is not your wife, this still holds true.

All i can say is tread carefully.

Pete

matt miller · Aug 10, 2005

BradS said:
what could I get for around $3000 ????

You could get a brand new ULF camera with holders from our own Jim Chinn, a lens, & still have money for a few boxes of film.

Thomassauerwein · Aug 10, 2005

Fire your accountant, sell the wife, buy the camera, keep the car. Perfect!

mark · Aug 10, 2005

Here is a thought. You can please the wife and still get a nice used outfit. SPlit the difference. Pay part of the piano, move the wife's car into the garage, get a decent, not brand spankin' new, camera and a lens or two. All of it can be done. You just have to stop thinking about those high end new cameras.

Jeremy · Aug 10, 2005

Thomassauerwein said:
Fire your accountant, sell the wife, buy the camera, keep the car. Perfect!

Thomas, I'm betting your wife doesn't browse on Apug, huh?

Claire Senft · Aug 10, 2005

I would advise a Shen-Hoa and some good used glass over a very expensive..but very nice camera...and I believe that you would end up with a much more flexible system.

Thomassauerwein · Aug 10, 2005

Jeremy, she was standing at my shoulder while I typed it. She smacked me atop my head then kissed me. I don't think she thought I was serious. Now that she's off to work and I have some time to think hmmm New camera, wife, camera,wife, used camera new lense, wife used camera,used lense and extra money for film or my wife. What a delima! Course if I choose the 8x10 I'll need a mistress so maybe I'll take on an 11x14 as a mistress.

MattCarey · Aug 10, 2005

Nicole Boenig-McGrade said:
My suggestion is, whatever you do, include a gift for her too.

One suggestion here--an adjustable piano chair. My wife lusted for one for years--only a few pros she knew had them.

Yamaha used to sell these, but I couldn't find one when we got it about 3 years back. There is a label on it, if you are interested I can find it.

Matt

BradS · Aug 10, 2005

MattCarey said:
One suggestion here--an adjustable piano chair. My wife lusted for one for years--only a few pros she knew had them.

Matt, That's a good idea. If it's no trouble, can you take a look and see what you can find out about the adjustable chair?

Jeremy · Aug 10, 2005

Thomassauerwein said:
Jeremy, she was standing at my shoulder while I typed it. She smacked me atop my head then kissed me. I don't think she thought I was serious. Now that she's off to work and I have some time to think hmmm New camera, wife, camera,wife, used camera new lense, wife used camera,used lense and extra money for film or my wife. What a delima! Course if I choose the 8x10 I'll need a mistress so maybe I'll take on an 11x14 as a mistress.

Wives, convertible BMWs and LF Cameras...

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