I just recieved my Ebony 45SU from Badger Graphic; what a camera! I have been using technical cameras for the past 13 years so it will take a little while to get used to sliding movements but the range of movements are truly amazing for such a compact camera. I know I will run out of lens before I run out of camera, as it should be. I am proud to be a member of the "club".

-- Jeffrey Scott (jscott@datavoice.net), January 30, 2002

Answers

I know some may "poo-poo" our Ebony enthusiasm as little more than a camera-of-the-moment fad, but I just got my camera a few nights ago and have found myself setting it up repeatedly and working through the functions and features, or just staring at the damn thing! I never did that with my Wisner. The overriding thought that keeps coming to mind over and over again is, the designer of this camera is a genius. I think I have the cheapest camera he makes (RW45), yet the attention to detail, functionality and aesthetics of it are simply amazing.

-- Todd Caudle (todd@skylinepress.com), January 30, 2002.

Jeffrey,

Welcome to the Ebony club, you will enjoy your camera better each time you use it. I have the 45S and it is superb, as you say, the movements are truly amazing. Unfortunately due to ongoing opthalmic problems I am having to leave "the club" and have to sell my beautiful LF camera & lenses.

I'm sure you will get many years happy shooting and good luck with your new camera.

---------------- Quality is remembered, long after the price is forgotten.

Kind regards

-- Peter L Brown (photo_illustration@bigpond.com), January 31, 2002.

Hi Jeffrey, Yes I think you're right - Hiromi is a genius!! I've owned my SW45 for 2 years almost and when the weather's too foul to venture out for taking photos, I find myself setting up and "playing" with the camera - just to admire the craftsmanship!!!! I must admit, I've never done this with any other camera!! I think the smell of the thing is addictive and probably explains why we do this! BUT, although there appears to be an unofficial Ebony "club", I'm glad to say that it doesn't follow the "I own a Leica so I'm better than you" path! IMHO, LF is one area of photography where choice of gear comes second to talent/skill/experience! Enjoy your Ebony for many years to come! Regards Paul

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

Man, these consistently enthusiastic Ebony posts really fire me up. I am running a lot of Portra through my Bronicas with the purpose of saving towards an RW45, my first LF camera. This camera is to be a selfish purchase; if I never make a dime from any image taken with it,I really don't care! I am just looking forward to the process of using a beautifully made instrument to create the best images of which I am capable. Patience, patience, patience....!

-- Griff Crutti (cyberdog1@peoplepc.com), January 31, 2002.

I tell ya, I think I need a cold shower after reading some of these Ebony descriptions. A cold shower, followed by a bank heist so that I could afford to buy one of those babys.

-- Ben Calwell (bcalwell@aol.com), January 31, 2002.

Time to dispel the myth!! EBONY cameras are not that expensive!!! Ok, some of them are!! But you can get hold of an RW, RSW, SW for the same sort of money as other makes. Robert White has some excellent deals on the RW and RSW in kit form as well as body only prices. Anyhow, an Ebony really is an investment and IS worth the extra outlay.

-- paul owen (paulowen_2000@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

Paul is absolutely right! I paid just $1600 for my RW45 brand spankin' new.

-- Todd Caudle (todd@skylinepress.com), January 31, 2002.

Yes, Ebony cameras may appear to be expensive but if you consider that it will probably be a final purchase the cost can be justified. Over the years we all buy and sell and trade up to the next level of camera, just think of all the lost dollars involved in such transactions. Buy the best first and save all the money for other things like a trip somewhere to use the camera for image-making!

-- Jeffrey Scott (jscott@datavoice.net), January 31, 2002.

Yeah, but I want an 8x10, and the cheapest 8x10 Ebony is nearly $6,000!

-- William Marderness (wmarderness@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

Jeffrey,

It does not surprise me that you are pleased with your camera. As I am sure you realize, the interest in Ebony cameras really isn't a club. And the pleasure expressed is not a fad. The 45SU is wonderfully engineered and constructed. The situation is very much like the pleasure that people had (and have) when using Deardorff cameras, with the materials and construction updated and rethought by a new generation of talented camera-makers. With the availability of outstanding lenses and great cameras, we are living at a complicated and great moment in the history of large format photography. Happy picture-taking.

-- Michael Alpert (alpert@umit.maine.edu), January 31, 2002.

So pleased you like your Ebony they are superb cameras to own and USE! Regards,

-- Trevor Crone (tcrone@gm.dreamcast.com), January 31, 2002.

Yes I know Ebony is not a club, I was just responding to some earlier threads regarding such statements. I guess it is like those that own fine automobiles in that they tend to rally (no pun intended) together regarding something they wish everyone could experience. Given today's reality that most products are built to a pricepoint, even some things you would expect not to be is all the more reason to champion quality things such as the Ebony camera line of products.

-- Jeffrey Scott (jscott@datavoice.net), January 31, 2002.

Question for the club members... do all or some of the Ebonys have zero detents... if so, what are they like?

-- Glenn C. Kroeger (gkroeger@trinity.edu), January 31, 2002.

My RW45 has zero detents for front and back tilt, front swing. They seem solid, but not so much so that you can't set the position very close without falling back into the detent.

-- Todd Caudle (todd@skylinepress.com), January 31, 2002.