Walker Cameras for sale?

[Roger Hicks]

Normally I'd wait to get hold of Mike before posting anything, but I've tried, and can't get hold of him for further information. Anyway, I've heard a rumour that Walker Cameras (www.walkercameras.com) might be for sale. This strikes me as incredibly unlikely, as Mike really loves making cameras, and last time we spoke I had the distinct impression that he was having difficulty making them fast enough to keep up with demand. On the other hand, his injection-moulded designs are far more suitable for production-line assembly than 'woodies' so it's not impossible that someone wants to build a really good, really versatile, incredibly durable camera in larger quantities.

What I'm asking, really, is not whether anyone else believes this rumour -- I don't -- but whether anyone else has heard it and if they have any idea where it started. Unfortunately I can't divulge my source.

Cheers,

R.

[eclarke]

That would be too bad. I have one of his 4x5s and while I use my Arcas, I like the Walker camera too much to sell it..Evan Clarke

[percepts]

Roger,

I would have thought you would know better than spread this private rumour by making it very public by posting it here so that everyone in the photographic community knows about it. You could have verified its truth or otherwise by just waiting to contact Mike instead of tripping over yourself to make it public. I'm not impressed.

[Roger Hicks]

Roger,

I would have thought you would know better than spread this private rumour by making it very public by posting it here so that everyone in the photographic community knows about it. You could have verified its truth or otherwise by just waiting to contact Mike instead of tripping over yourself to make it public. I'm not impressed.

Sorry you're not impressed but it struck me as so intriguing that I'd see if anyone else had heard it. Of course I heard it from C who had heard it from B who had heard it from A, and I wondered if anyone other than A, B, C and now myself D had heard it.

Part of my reason for posting it was for Mike's entertainment. As far as I recall, Zone VI sold for millions and if someone offered Mike huge enough sums of money, I imagine he'd sell them the company.

In other words, it's a sort of meta-rumour. As I've already said, I don't believe it; I know Mike pretty well; I'd love to know where it came from; and I think Mike would too. I can't quite see your problem with this.

Actually, I've now contacted Mike, and he said, "No comment." I don't know whether he's saying this because he really has received an offer, or because (like me) he wants to see where the rumour came from. He added that there is no possibility of the cameras being discontinued: the only reason he would consider selling is to a company who wants to make them in larger quantities, 'because otherwise there'd be no point in selling.'

Cheers,

R.

[percepts]

Sorry you're not impressed but it struck me as so intriguing that I'd see if anyone else had heard it. Of course I heard it from C who had heard it from B who had heard it from A, and I wondered if anyone other than A, B, C and now myself D had heard it.

Part of my reason for posting it was for Mike's entertainment. As far as I recall, Zone VI sold for millions and if someone offered Mike huge enough sums of money, I imagine he'd sell them the company.

In other words, it's a sort of meta-rumour. As I've already said, I don't believe it; I know Mike pretty well; I'd love to know where it came from; and I think Mike would too. I can't quite see your problem with this.

Actually, I've now contacted Mike, and he said, "No comment." I don't know whether he's saying this because he really has received an offer, or because (like me) he wants to see where the rumour came from. He added that there is no possibility of the cameras being discontinued: the only reason he would consider selling is to a company who wants to make them in larger quantities, 'because otherwise there'd be no point in selling.'

Cheers,

R.

sounds like bullshit to me

[PHOTOTONE]

I don't see what you find objectionable about Rogers original post? He was asking? The fact that a company "might" be up for sale, is not an indication that it is going away...in fact, as stated, sometimes the only way to "grow" a company is to sell it to someone with deep pockets and more manufacturing capability. Why not?

[Roger Hicks]

sounds like bullshit to me

Far from impossible.

Anyone else heard it?

Cheers,

R.

[davekarp]

Well, if Mike can sell and ensure his retirement, then great for him.

I have a Titan SF and love it. Mike is great to deal with, supremely customer oriented. So, if he is out of the business, it will be tough for the new owner to meet Mike's standards for customer service.

[Curt]

Maybe this should be under Lounge or Joke?

[Tom Stanworth]

maybe he is on holiday?

I certainly dont find this an apprehensible or irresponsible act. The post made the question clear rather than made a statement based on BS. Quite different...

I hope he's still going strong as his 5x7 is superb. Really superb.