Thomas Roma, Hand made Camera - What would it be worth?

Ezzie

Ezzie

E. D. Russell Roberts
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Here's a tough one.

A rather facinating sales ad in the Norwegian Foto.no classifieds. A hand made 120 6x9 camera, one of approx 55 made during the 70's.

Mamiya Sekor 65mm/f6.3 lens

Designed by Thomas Roma. Bulit by Siciliano Camera Works

What would such and item, in good (maybe not great) condiftion fetch in the States?

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Wow that is an interesting thing there. I dont think it would get a high price, in my opinion maybe around 200 dollars depending on the condition of everything?
 
It's a bit of a wierd one, the camera in itself is probably not worth a lot, but Thomas Roma is a pretty famous photographer, so who knows?
 
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The lens cost about ~$200-250 on its own already, it's can be quite hard to find. And if it's still removeable and the camera has a Mamiya Press mount it can use other Press lens as well, which could up the price somewhat. I'd say $350
 
Well, "hand made camera" probably, but hardly that unique - it is another variation of the "chopped Mamiya Press" theme, perhaps with a workshop made blackbox rather than a Press body with amputated rangefinder. But lens, finder and film holder all are Mamiya.

I'd expect a chopped press with the less well regarded 65mm to sell at or below $300, the film back alone would account for about $70, the lens with finder for $150. But auction prices on odd items vary - it takes only two fools to drive the price to insane levels. YMMV as to whether anyone develops a particular craving for this mod, or is willing to pay extra for the reduced size.
 
I would guess the price would depend entirely on how much a person wanted one. There is just nothing to really compare it to, only the cost of the 6x9 back and the lens with viewfinder. I would guess its only advantage would be weight (maybe), and maybe "sex" appeal, since there wouldn't be many seen on the streets.

Disadvantages would be no RF, no way to be certain as to how other lenses would work until tried (but they should), the need for a viewfinder even for 100mm, 150mm and 250mm.

For myself, I wouldn't care for it, but that is because I already have a Super Press 23 and like it as is.

As to prices for the 6x9 back and 65mm lens, check ebay, but that flutuates with the tides and phases of the moon, as you probably know.
 
It was intended for Hardcore Street Photography ... Years ago PDN mentioned that Josef Koudelka owned one;).
 
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I have had some experience in converting cameras. Many years ago I have done a few with the old Mamiya S-backs. They came in 6x7 or 6x9 and they were going very cheap in those days. The conversions were not too difficult using Linhof lens boards. Popular lenses used were Schneider Krenznach 47 or 58 or Rodenstock equivalents. In fact 45 or 47 lenses may need no lens purpose built lens boards as they are very close to the focusing planes. Only wide angle lenses were used as they would not require focusing with a rangefinder. These conversions were nice to use. But they were bulky. I ended up selling them all and used old folder bodies instead for my other conversions. I preferred using the 6x9 S backs to get the maximum size of the film.

However, I would not pay too much for this one. The lens is not that good. I would not advise paying over US$150 for this one and I would personally not consider it at all. I don't mean any offence to the maker just that personally I am not interested. I am sure many others would love this conversion.
 
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Thanks guys. I posted this more as act of curiosity, I wasn´t seriously considering buying it. Must admit that I´m a bit infatuated with MF cameras, but admit that I have neither the time nor the money.
 
I'm in the process of modifying a Mamiya Universal into this configuration. I bought a camera just to get the back. It had been dropped and had a nasty ding in the rangefinder cover. I'm going to use 6 X 9 backs with the 50mm. Just some painting on the top plate I made for it and it'll be ready to go. I'm going to make a sport finder for it as the regular finders are hard to find. It should be lots of fun for street shots and landscapes.
 
65mm Mamiya Press lens is very bad

65mm Mamiya Press lens is very bad

This 65mm lens with Mamiya-press mount was the worst of all i had from 50 to 150mm.
 
This looks like something we can build ourselves.
The trick is to find the rare Mamiya ground glass back so we can test the focus distance.
The back, lens, and even the (mold-injected ?) body is not that hard to procure.
 
Thomas Roma is Lee Friedlander's son-in-law for those who do not know him. He has an impressive resume and background of work, all unrelated to family connections.

historicist said:
It's a bit of a wierd one, the camera in itself is probably not worth a lot, but Thomas Roma is a pretty famous photographer, so who knows?
Click to expand...
 
I started the thread two years past, and have made two MF cameras in the mean time. As Will says, it can be done.
 
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