Re: recent panorama-camera-prices

[CraigClint@xxxxxxx]

Hi,

<< You can buy a Linhof 6x17 with fixed 90 brand new for $4000 from Wall 
Street Camera. >>

So why wouldn't you buy a good used Fuji with a fixed 105 lens for about half 
the price?

Lets compare apples to apples. 

A Fuji with 90mm interchageable lens costs about $5,200 brand new - plus $300 
for the center filter. They include a finder with each lens.

What does a Linhof with 90mm interchangeable lens cost? About $6,100 from 
B&H. Now there is a deal! Plus you have to buy the finder for the Linhof for 
about $600. I don't know about a center filter for the Linhof. 

In all fairness though, B&H is offering the Linhof 617SIII body with the 72mm 
lens and finder for $5,500 - about the same as the Fuji with the 90mm (their 
widest). Or you can get the Linhof body with a 180 lens and finder for $5,300 
- $300 more than the Fuji with their 180 (finder included). Not a bad deal. 
However, once you've bought in you'll pay $500 - $800 extra for each 
additional Linhof lens. 

I don't know about you, but I can't see a reason to pay more. In fact, if you 
buy your Fuji at CameraWorld in Portland OR you can pay even less (cheaper 
body and no sales tax).

Craig 

PS. I find it interesting that Linhof offers a wide 72mm lens that Fuji 
doesn't have, and Fuji has a normal 105 and a long 300 that Linhof doesn't 
have. Fortunately, I like the longer better than the wider. But if you like 
wider the Linhof has what you need.