Wisner 14 x 17 & 7 x 17 Camera documentation?

[Dave Wooten]

If any Appugers have or know the whereabouts of Wisner 14 x 17 and 7 x 17 cameras, could you share this info? Date of manufacture or purchase etc. They (especially the 14 x 17 ) are probably among the more scarce as they were not a regular catalog standard...some do not have serial numbers...

[Terence]

I believe Kerik sold a 7x17 not too long ago (on APUG, if I remember correctly).

And there was a 14x17 on eBay within the last 6 months. I'll see if I took snapshots of the screen.

[wfwhitaker]

I sent Dave a PM, but for the sake of the thread, I have the Wisner 14x17 originally owned by Clay. Tracy Storer has one, too. That makes three that we know of. Any others? Does Ron read this stuff? Tracy?...

[Dave Wooten]

Thanks Will,

I have sent Ron a note also. It is possible however that he doesnt know the travels, trials, tribulations and jubilee the various 14 x 17 cameras have gone through. I am betting that the Wisner 14 x 17 is one of the most rare if not the most rare of the Wisner Cameras....

[Michael Slade]

I am betting that the Wisner 14 x 17 is one of the most rare if not the most rare of the Wisner Cameras....

Dang, the way Ron talked about my 4x5 Pocket Expedition made me think I was buying the rarest of the rare.

[Dave Wooten]

Dang, the way Ron talked about my 4x5 Pocket Expedition made me think I was buying the rarest of the rare.

Michael, The pocket expedition is certainly in the running and IMO is really a choice camera to own, probably all of the 4 x 5 cameras had serial numbers, that would be interesting info. Also for a while there was a Connoisuer series advertised, custom order, I only saw a photo of one and it was really beautiful...don't know if that was the only one made or not?

As per the 14 x 17 some were made custom for specific projects...I think it is possible that individually by format there are more 20 x 24 and 16 x 20 Wisner cameras out there than the 14 x 17. Presently I know of three that are in use in the U.S. Those 3 are Will in DC who posted above, Tracy Storer in California and myself in Nevada. I have not seen or heard of a Canham or Lotus 14 x 17 in use. Kerik has a really sweet "Anthony" in wonderful condition.

I recently obtained a lens marked Versar Portrait and View 14 x 17 Wollensak-Rochester F-6, so I would assume at one time in the past century the format was not as uncommon as it is at the present.

Thanks all for the replies...

[Kerik]

Hey Dave,

Patrick Alt has a sweet Lotus 14x17. He also has a beautiful ROC 14x17 that he restored. Plus about a thousand other view cameras in literally every format ever produced (at least that's what he told me once).

Have you put that Versar on your camera yet? I'm curious what the approximate focal length is...

[RobertP]

Does the Wisner 14x17 have the standard Wisner front standard with 5 1/4" lens boards? This can be limiting to some of the larger portrait lenses. I've been searching for a soft focus to cover my 8x20.

[RobertP]

Michael, I have an 8x10 pocket expedition. My 8x20 is also a cherry wood expedition model with vertical and horizontal backs. The only thing it doesn't have is the geared front rise that the pocket expedition has.

[wfwhitaker]

Kerik - The 14x17 Versar is 18 1/4" FL. I have a 17x20 Versar which has a focal length of 22 1/2". (http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/...kcate/p10.html)

Robert - The Wisner 14x17 does use 5 1/4" lens boards and, you're right, it's very limiting for a camera that size. It all but prohibits using the 22 1/4" Verito which is in a #5 Studio shutter. There are some work-arounds, but I haven't had an opportunity yet to pursue that.