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Peter - While I’d originally aimed at a retail price (without lens) somewhere in the vicinity of 5K, this was back in 2005-06, at the then-predicted/assumed completion of the first production run. But even then, getting my costs in line to make that figure viable was extremely difficult.
(keep in mind that lenses for these cameras are interchangeable and available in many configurations and focal lengths, and thus are available separately from a given camera, unless a chosen lens or two might be included in a “package” deal).
Then again, Linhof or Sinar (I’d add Arca-Swiss also) could have likely asked twice my price point even back then, simply due to their long standing position in this industry.
These days…who knows? Likely in the 10K to 15K range. My best means of keeping the price down might be to lease a 5-axis CNC machine and do this myself - but that ain’t happenin’! Another thought…that 3D printing technology is beginning to incorporate metals, and if the resolution afforded by this process keeps getting better…then something like this might actually be accomplished relatively inexpensively.
But to me, nothing matches the look and feel of precision milled, aircraft grade aluminum. I like this so much in fact, that despite my camera’s very smooth appearance, I insisted that some milling marks be left visible on an inner surface plane, visible only when the camera is extended and then only by peeking down through the weight relief holes (which are visible in the “twisted” photograph of the metal camera). I love seeing these machining marks!
And about a digital back…yes indeed! In fact, one of my prototypes went home with Mike Collette, who started Better-Light (high end digital scanning backs) a few years back. Mike recognized that my camera provided a perfect (both ultra-precise and sturdy) platform for use with his amazing scanning backs - and we were on our way to working out a package when he became ill and passed away.
Further along the digital track…I’ve often thought how nifty it would be if a large format camera could incorporate a “touch screen” digital (CMOS sensor) back…large, like 4x5 or 5x7 inches (by incorporating many smaller ones w/incorporated auto-stitching?) - one which would allow the user to make basic adjustments to things like local (specific area) dynamic ranges, color balance, and maybe some cloning out of unwanted details…on the surface of the viewing screen prior to taking an actual photo. Another feature would be a provision to have an unadulterated raw file captured concurrently as a backup!
Glen - have always thought about that hike...down and back up - but my gear itself can weigh close to 40lbs in my photo-backpack...and this is without water!
Have to laugh about your Doc. I had a dentist awhile back, whose images were plastered all over his office...and he could not stop talking about all of his photographic trips to exotic locations. All I could do was nod at him and mumble through all of the gear he'd crammed into my mouth...while thinking: hmmm...maybe I'm in the wrong business!
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