Posted by Kent Staubus on April 3, 2006 at 9:34 PM
I've been looking hard at used field cameras for the past month, and really don't want to pay 90% the price of a new Shen Hao, LOL! Might as well buy a new one for that. I have noticed a steady number of used Zone VI wooden cameras out there, and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on those as compared to the Shen Hao. I see the VI has 18 inch extension, and I will be using a 300mm non-T lens. I also noticed that the VI has no level on the top where the Shen Hao does. Maybe that's a nit, but it would be one less thing for me to have to carry and fool with in the field. Another thing I like about the Shen Hao is they have a bellows shade that is relatively inexpensive and looks like it would actually work. Not sure the VI has one available, or at what $$. I think I've ruled out the Tachichara for my purposes.
This morning I hiked about 3/4 mile into a field, crawling under barbed wire fences and dragging my Cambo monorail with me. I kept thinking about how much easier that would be with something more compact.
The ShenHao is a very fine camera. Zone VI may be a bit nicer to look at but in my opinion the ShenHao offers a better list of features and will be a nicer camera to live with.
Kent, I owned a Zone Vl for a couple of years, nice camera, well made, lots of movements, but...maintenance of the wood and brass/gold fittings was a real pain in the ... Got tired of all the upkeep after a while and sold the camera. The ZVI I had had built-in levels on top and side, very handy.
I have been using borrowed Zone VI from some 15 year old incarnation of the camera and I have to say that I have mixed feelings about the camera. I haven't been terribly impressed by the build quality, solidness or the ability to make fine adjustments. On the plus side, the 18 inches of bellows draw has been used a lot for what I do (many closeups with a 210 lens) and the movements seem to be more than adequate.
I have played with a Shen Hao at Midwest and it strikes me as a much more solid camera.
Right now, I am leaning towards the purchase of the Shen Hao, more on cost than anything else, but I will probably miss the bellows draw.
By the way, Midwest is also offering a Sun Foto, which looks like the Shen Hao, but $200 cheaper. I have not seen all that great things said about it.
Shen Hao - new, $600
Zone VI - used, $700 to $950, depending on condition and source
In this general price range, I always recommend Shen-Hao. The Zones and Tachiharas that I've seen, belonging to my Intro to LF workshop participants, have given me the impression that they're not as well built. While a Shen-Hao doesn't have as much bellows, it does have about 350mm, enough for a 500mm tele at infinity.
Posted by Kent Staubus on April 4, 2006 at 9:51 AM
Dan--
The VI seems to be roughly the same price on eBay as the Shen Hao. There have been a couple of used Shens and they brought 81% to 88% of the price of a new one! Very few cameras do that. There is a Hong Kong place selling them for $550, but considering the shipping cost Badger still looks like the better deal. Generally I want a savings of about 20% or $100 before I buy used stuff. As summer approaches, the chances of getting a Shen Hao off eBay at a price that makes sense will likely become less likely.
I thought that maybe the VI would be a relative bargain, but apparently not. I am impressed with how strong a demand there seems to be for the Shen Hao. I still intend to buy one before getting into a D200 this year. I mean, a guy has priorities! Thanks to all that responded.
Discussion
6 repliesThis morning I hiked about 3/4 mile into a field, crawling under barbed wire fences and dragging my Cambo monorail with me. I kept thinking about how much easier that would be with something more compact.
Kent in SD
Guy
I have played with a Shen Hao at Midwest and it strikes me as a much more solid camera.
Right now, I am leaning towards the purchase of the Shen Hao, more on cost than anything else, but I will probably miss the bellows draw.
By the way, Midwest is also offering a Sun Foto, which looks like the Shen Hao, but $200 cheaper. I have not seen all that great things said about it.
Shen Hao - new, $600
Zone VI - used, $700 to $950, depending on condition and source
The VI seems to be roughly the same price on eBay as the Shen Hao. There have been a couple of used Shens and they brought 81% to 88% of the price of a new one! Very few cameras do that. There is a Hong Kong place selling them for $550, but considering the shipping cost Badger still looks like the better deal. Generally I want a savings of about 20% or $100 before I buy used stuff. As summer approaches, the chances of getting a Shen Hao off eBay at a price that makes sense will likely become less likely.
I thought that maybe the VI would be a relative bargain, but apparently not. I am impressed with how strong a demand there seems to be for the Shen Hao.
Kent in SD