Thinking about an upgrade

It's worth watching forums like Photrio and the US based but International LF forum as there are cameras listed at decent prices.

Bear in mind that buying from outside the EU is likely to attract around 33% in duties as Import tax is based on the Item and Postage, then VAT is added on top with a handling charge to collect the money.

Currently there's an MPP MKVIII for $260 inc shipping from Japan, and a Linhof Color Kardan (old but nice) monorail same seller and price. Those are fair prices so a good guide to what you/we should be paying for cameras. The MkVIII uses different lens boards tto the earler MkIII to MkVII and they are harder to find and expensive,. Most think the MkVII is the best MPP.

LF prices are significantly higher here in the UK so it is worth buying from abroad.

Ian
 
If you look around there are some reasonably priced, good, lightweight LF cameras around in the UK. Keep an eye on auctions (actual auctions - most are online) and you can pick equipment up for reasonable figures. The thing is to know roughly what you want and have a top figure in mind and be sure not to pay more. Ebay too can be viable. If you are prepared to buy a half plate camera and put together a 5" x 4" back for it then there are some really interesting options out there.
 
Not sure about the Intrepid 5x4 Mk1, but the later versions are Linhof/Wista lens board compatible. Therefore, if the OP bought any one of the many cameras that accept this lens board he'd be able to easily swap lenses.
 
Paul Kay said:
............ Keep an eye on auctions (actual auctions - most are online) and you can pick equipment up for reasonable figures.
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....... bear in mind the auction house buyers premium which can be up to 20% plus VAT - it can really take the edge of a 'bargain.:(
 
Ian Grant said:
LF prices are significantly higher here in the UK so it is worth buying from abroad.
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Not just from the UK……..In France, the sellers seem to thing that anything that comes under the heading of photography, in particular LF, can sell for a totally unrealistic price.
I've bought most of my gear from overseas, often outside of europe but also from the UK ( Oh hang on a min, the UK is outside of europe, ah no, not just yet! :D)
Even with taxes etc, the final price can still often be less than buying locally and of course by searching worldwide, the choice of gear available is like an Aladins cave :)

Ian Grant said:
This one could be quite cheap
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Personally I prefer my cameras to be "ready to use" rather than "flat pack"! :p


Keith Haithwaite said:
....... bear in mind the auction house buyers premium which can be up to 20% plus VAT - it can really take the edge of a 'bargain.:(
Click to expand...

Occasionally a true bargain will come up be it at auctions, eBay or wherever but more and more they are very rare.
Hoping to drop on one can involve a very long wait and if in an auction, there's then no gaurantee of being the highest bidder.
I'm all for biding my time to see what shows up but there has to be a cut off point when I choose to take the plunge and make a purchase...…..If not I could still be waiting for the correct price / bargain when I'm in a 6ft box!
 
It's a MkVII, it has a Graflok type back. It's missing the focus screen hood which I find quite useful saves always needing a dark cloth. Typically a focus hood is going to be in the region of £40+ unless. Looks like the Wray Lustar lens which is not as good as a Xenar

It might be worth thinking about the one on Ebay at the moment with two lenses, while listed at £350 he's open to offers, the 90mm f6.8 Angulons sell for £90-£100, the camera has the focus hood as well as a range-finder. Not sure about bellows condition though.

Ian
 
It says that the lens is a Heliar (Voigtländer 1950s vintage I assume?). Not sure how this rates but I have a Xenar kicking around that has little use which I'd happily swap for a 135 or 184 Lustrar in a compur shutter in case this helps (it has an E46 adapter on it too!!!).
 
Missed that text ile :D Heliars are quite sought after, but that's usually the larger format ones.

Ian
 
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