Expert: David Silver - 2/26/2006

Question
I purchased two large format cameras about 30 years ago from a photographer who was retiring.  Now I'm wondering if they have some value.  The first is a Folmer & Schwing.  The film holder seems to be about 7"X17".  It's in pretty good shape.  It's in the original case (a little beatup on the outside).  The ground glass on the back is broken and it currently doesn't have a lens.  But I may have put the lens somewhere else. I teach Physics and I may have used it for some optics experiments, so I might be able to find it.  Is it valuable?

I also have a Wizard View manufactured by Gundlach-Manhattan Optical Co. of Rochester, N.Y.  This is in 8X10 format.  This one also is in its original case, packed with some attachments and several film holders.  The ground glass on this one is intact (lots of lines on it to get different size pictures).  This one has the lens with it.  Any suggestions?  

I used to do a lot of photography and have alot of equipment around.  I'm cleaning out my basement and would like to see them "go to a good home" and if I could get some money for them that would be icing on the cake.

Thanks for you help,
Jeff Anderson


Answer
Hi Jeff,

Your 7 x 17 is a "banquet" camera made by Folmer & Schwing around 1910 for panoramic format images.  They used to be valued as usable cameras more than collectible items (most 20th century view cameras are rather generic in design, so there's never been a great deal of collectible appeal), so the lens and shutter were important to the appraisal.  Interest has fallen off in the past few years, due to the simplicity of making digital panoramic images, but a truly excellent Folmer & Schwing 7 x 17 camera outfit (that would be the camera with a truly intact and supple bellows, a decent quality lens and shutter, at least three film holders, the wide tripod base, and carrying case for the whole thing) would still sell for about $500 today.  There is also a 12 x 20 model that is MUCH more valuable, and accordingly much harder to find.

The Wizard, I just can't say.  Gundlach-Manhattan made a number of different models, and there are zillions of different lens and shutter combinations, and then you again need at least three film holders, etc., but these need to be seen to be properly appraised.  Most likely it's going to be something in the $300 range, but there are too many variables.

For both cameras, I could help you better if we take this dialogue off AllExperts.  Send me a couple of simple small JPEG images showing the general overall appearnce of each camera.  By all means, try to find the lens for the Folmer & Schwing or it will be a bugger to sell!  Send the images to my personal e-mail at silver@well.com and I'll get right back to you with an idea of value, and perhaps some suggestions where best to sell.  Please, keep the images small (under 100kb), I don't need details or extreme close-ups, and only in JPEG format or my cranky old computer will choke on them.  One good look is all I need to guide you on the right path.

Best wishes,

David Silver