Bender Camera kits

[porsche917k]

I'm considering on eof these kits this winter and wonder if anyone here has had any experience with them? Good, Bad? Indifferent?

http://www.benderphoto.com./8x10.htm

Thanks!

Paul

[Robert]

I've thought about it but when I did the math it didn't seem like it would make $$$ sense. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't think the pre-made low end new cameras are much more then the kit. Or you could find a used camera of some sort. If you like woodworking that's one thing but then you might not need the kit at all.

[Jim Chinn]

If you are wanting to try Large Format I think their are better ways to get started for even less then a Bender kit. The easiest route is to buy a used camera from a shop, swap meet or on Ebay. A good used Calumet C-400 can be bought for between $100 and $250 on Ebay without a lens. This camera while heavy and a monorail provides all view camera movements, has bubble levels and a rotating back.

If you want portability, a Crown Graphic 4x5 is an excellent place to start. These almost always have lenses included and sell between $150 and $350 depending on condition. Does not have near the movements of other cameras, but it folds up and can take a variety of lenses.

My rationale is if you like LF, the Bender will not be adequate for what you may want to do in the future. If you don't like the format, the Bender really has no resale value. The used cameras mentioned can be resold for close to the same that you paid for them if in the same condition as when purchased.

If you really get into LF, the above mentioned cameras will provide an education so you can make a wise choice in purchasing a more modern camera in the future.

[EUGENE]

Paul, if your interests are woodworking or model building, building a Bender. It will look good on your display shelf. However, if you are interested in photography, pick up a good used large format camera and lens and spend your spare time this winter learning to use it.

[porsche917k]

Thanks folks,

Yea, there are indeed many things holding me back on this, and one thing urging me on....

-I do wonder about the quality of this particular kit camera (tho I am good at building things)

-My new Besseler 23CIII can only do up to 120 format film so I can't handle the 4x5 film format...

-Which leads to wanting to do 8x10 format so I can at least do contacts...

-Which leads to wondering about the expense of all this--lenses, film backs, etc....cost of entering large format begins to escalate here....

But something about having the larger area and film surface to work with is very appealing...

My son is a budding photographer as well and this appeals to him. He's had a good taste of succes with his first show this past summer and having sold some prints. What I may do is to just continue to concentrate on our 35mm work, have him take a Nikon School one day class mid-winter, then something here in NYC at ICP as well.

Best,

Paul,

FYI, here's his web site:

http://www.marotta.okipages.com/

If it doesn't load, keep hitting the reload, a friend is hosting it for free and there have been some problems with his server...

[Robert]

If you are good at basic woodworking check out the camera makers mailing list.

4x5 enlargers aren't that bad if you can pick it up locally. Mine weighs more then a small car [well not quite but close]. Shipping it would have cost more then I paid. My enlarger with 35mm,6x7,6x9 ,two 4x5 negative holders and three different lens boards cost me $250US [depending on the exchange rate I guess] Even got a three month warranty from the local shop.

Used large format lens of various ages seem to show up on ebay. My problem with all this is I'm not sure what to look for. Don't forget you may need a shutter for that lens.

I'm basically in the same boat you are. I've considered the Bender but decided I could do it myself for less or for a little more I could buy the Toyo 45CF. I actually wanted a 5x7 camera for contact prints but wasn't sure about film. I basically tripped over the 4x5 enlarger which I guess locks me into that format.

Does anybody have a feel for the Toyo 45CF? It seems for little more then the price of a new 35mm and a couple of lens a Toyo with the 150mm lens could be had.

[Jorge]

Hey Porsche here is an excellent deal. This guy has been trying to sell this cameras for about 1 year. When he first announced it he wanted $1000.
Now he is down to half the price, the camera is very good, but since it is not popular in the US I guess nobody took the deal. If I did not have an 8x10 already I would go for this. Fatif 8x10 camera, reducing back to 4x5, lend board....all for $500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=1384471172

[porsche917k]

OK, I bid on it, and I wonder if his reserve is the same as the BIN....my problem is, I really don't have "play" money until end of Nov/early Dec...so we'll see where this goes....

[fparnold]

I have to speak up in defense of the Bender kits. In the case of the 4x5, if you're reasonably handy you'll get a no-frills, but quite functional, monorail with long bellows from it. I built one (I didn't have room in the apartment for a woodworking shop), and have packed it extensively. Like any monorail, it's bulky, but very light in weight, and that's it's real appeal; more movements than a Crown Graphic, lighter and more portable than an old Calumet monorail, less expensive than a Wisner et al.

[porsche917k]

fparnold: What lense did you pair with it? How was it to build? Were you satisfied with the results? Are you satisfied with the quality of the negs and ultimately the prints? Would love to know and perhaps see some of what you've done with it.

Thanks!

P-