Should I buy this LF Camera?

[dehk]

I'm new to LF, however I've been shooting Small and Medium format for quite a while now. I've been waiting for cheap LF camera showing up on craigslist for quite some time now, and I found one today. It's a Calumet 4X5 Monorail View Camera /w lens and case for $250. It comes with a Caltar 8-1/2" f6.3 Lens, and revolving back. Here are some photos, it looks like it's in really good shape.





What do you guys think about the camera? Good buy for that price right or should it actually be cheaper for some odd reason? He'll include 2 holders and a dark cloth for that price too.

Thanks for your input!

[Peter Schrager]

I had one for years and they are rock steady...make sure the shutter fires properly and you are good to go...perfect beginners camera or more..u take the pix..it's just a box with a lens!!
Best, Peter

[dehk]

I had one for years and they are rock steady...make sure the shutter fires properly and you are good to go...perfect beginners camera or more..u take the pix..it's just a box with a lens!!
Best, Peter

My friend just told me don't buy it simply because it weights like a ton, is it really that heavy? If so I have to factor that price in and see if I need a new tripod and see if its still affordable anymore.

[DanielStone]

Ansel Adams used one like that one .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am54LMSwz9E

see 4:26

If its "good enough" for him, I'm sure anyone will be fine with it. They're nice cameras. I had one, sold it, and have considered getting another

-Dan

[2F/2F]

Overpriced by at least $100, IMHO. They are fine cameras, but they can be had for less if you are willing to wait. $100 is a common price. Maybe you find them for $150 with a lens from time to time. The way I see it, with the used market the way it is, low-end monorail cameras are hardly worth spending more than that on. If you are going to spend $250, might as well wait, save, and spend $400 for a SINAR F, or $600 for a SINAR kit with lens, etc. In the $250 range, I'd look at Toyos and Omegas before those old Calumets, as the newer ones are more modern and full featured.

My friend just told me don't buy it simply because it weights like a ton, is it really that heavy? If so I have to factor that price in and see if I need a new tripod and see if its still affordable anymore.

That is nuts. They are lightweight cameras. And what does weight matter with a monorail camera anyhow?

[tomalophicon]

Apart from being ugly as sin, I'm sure it will give you fantastic images if you treat it right.

[dehk]

Overpriced, IMHO. They are fine cameras, but they can be had for next to nothing if you are willing to wait.

If you are going to spend $250, might as well wait, save, and spend $400 for a SINAR F.

I do like to pay next to nothing, that will match my paycheck very well

[DanielStone]

The one I bought(for $75 on C-List, w/ 3 4x4" lensboards, no lenses) and later re-sold was the black Calumet version.

Looks(of the camera) don't matter. Its what you photograph and how you compose the shot. I found that the best addition to the camera was putting an UNCLIPPED ground glass in the camera, so I could see the corners of the frame. IDK why they clipped the corners, but for those of us who use ALL the frame(like I do), its very important IMO. I'll admit they're not "sexy" like a Linhof or a fully-rigged Sinar system, but they're dependable, not too heavy, and have all the movements one needs. As I said, Ansel used one, and it seemed to work ok for him (see the video link above, there's 2 parts btw)

-Dan

[guitstik]

I dont know, I think the lens is worth that much alone.

[tomalophicon]

The one I bought(for $75 on C-List, w/ 3 4x4" lensboards, no lenses) and later re-sold was the black Calumet version.

Looks(of the camera) don't matter. Its what you photograph and how you compose the shot. I found that the best addition to the camera was putting an UNCLIPPED ground glass in the camera, so I could see the corners of the frame. IDK why they clipped the corners, but for those of us who use ALL the frame(like I do), its very important IMO. I'll admit they're not "sexy" like a Linhof or a fully-rigged Sinar system, but they're dependable, not too heavy, and have all the movements one needs. As I said, Ansel used one, and it seemed to work ok for him (see the video link above, there's 2 parts btw)

-Dan

They clipped the corners so the glass doesn't explode with sudden bellows compression.