I have been using 35mm and 120 for years how can a low budget photographer like me find and buy a reasonably priced working view camera!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
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Position:Home>Visual Arts> How can an average guy find and buy a working view camera?Question: How can an average guy find and buy a working view camera!? I have been using 35mm and 120 for years how can a low budget photographer like me find and buy a reasonably priced working view camera!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: The most obvious answer is e-Bay!. However, that's not necessarily going to get you the best camera at the lowest price!. Another option is to go to photo flea markets!. Most areas have these periodically - there is a listing in Shutterbug each month!. Obviously, the big-name stores are an option, but they are mainly interested in selling new cameras, and their prices will be at the upper end of the scale!. B&H and Adorama are obvious choices, but Calumet is probably a better option!. The best places are more obscure - Badger Graphic Sales, The View Camera Store, Midwest Photo, Lens and Repro!. One very useful thing to do is to purchase a copy of View Camera Magazine and look through the advertisements in the back!. Not only will they give you ideas, you can also get a sense of the prices you will have to pay!. As to choices - Crown And Speed Graphics are a good starting point!. They are rugged and relatively inexpensive, but they are also more limited in terms of utility - limited movements, etc!. You can find a wide range of used 4x5 cameras ranging from a few hundred upwards to a thousand or more for some of the exotic (and overpriced) German technical cameras!. Larger format cameras are a bit more scare - there aren't a lot of 5x7's around, and larger cameras are actually in very heavy demand right now so they sell for good prices and don't stay in the market very long!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Look on eBay (and Google) for Crown Graphic view cameras!. They are the "Jimmy Olsen" (of early Superman days) view cameras of the 60's and on down!. These cameras have a lot of what you need to explore 4x5 film and usually at a price that is quite affordable!. I have bought (and sold) a few there and the $300 is often the area they go in!. A great camera to start 4x5 exploring with!. Bob - TucsonWww@QuestionHome@Com eBay is usually pretty reliable!. Craigslist though the prices aren't as good!. I bought from the husband of a friend of my wife's!. I got one heckuva deal!. $300 for the camera, lens, tripod, developing tanks etc!. I love shooting with it but my health has been up and down so I don't photograph nearly enough!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Have you tried Geeks!.com or EBay!? Another way you might come across one cheaply is to watch for local camera stores who are going out of business!. Sadly, with the digital camera market so popular these days, and the fact that many camera repairmen and developers don't have the steady income they once did, many are closing their doors and selling off the merchandise at insanely cheap prices!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Adorama!.com has a used camera area, I check it out often!. There is always a good selection of used view camera's that are rated on what shape they are in!. As soon as I am able to raise a few bucks, that's where I'm getting mine!. check out this link http://www!.adorama!.com/catalog!.tpl!?op=it!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |