Andreas_23
Hello everyone,
By a stroke of luck, I’ve ‘stumbled across’ a Fujimoto enlarger (no, not as you might think, on eBay, but from a design studio that no longer had any use for it), which is suitable for negatives up to 9 x 12 cm or 4 x 5 inches. It’s a massive piece of kit (see photo)! [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
Now, I can use it to enlarge my medium-format negatives too, but it’s actually oversized for that; it’s easier to do that with the Opemus. I’d therefore like to experiment with large-format photos; but I don’t have a suitable camera. Not an optical bench like the Linhof one, but something for on the go. Something like the Fotoman cameras available from Foto Impex, though with a suitable lens, those are far beyond my budget. Can anyone recommend (or even offer) something more affordable? I’d also be happy with something vintage. Of course, the image quality has to be up to scratch; otherwise, it’s not worth the effort.
Many thanks,
Andreas
Gerd
Congratulations on your find. It’s a lovely piece of kit. Do you also have suitable condenser lenses and lenses (150mm) for large format?
Fotoman cameras are actually very specialised large-format cameras, used mainly for super-wide-angle photography.
A compromise between an optical bench and such a rigid camera would be a [edit][s] folding camera[/s] or a field camera [/edit], such as the Linhof Technika, or if you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, a Wista Field; Horseman and others have also built such cameras. They are comparatively light, very portable, but also offer good adjustment options (shift, tilt). With these cameras, image quality really depends solely on the lens, which is not included with the camera but must be purchased separately (a used one is often included). However, prices for older lenses are no longer particularly high.
To get started, I can recommend the following sites:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/
http://grossformatfotografie.de/
Gerd
cfb_de
Hi Andreas,
When buying a camera, make sure you get a complete set (including a focusing screen, suitable cassettes and a lens) if possible. For wide-angle shots (a 90mm on a 13x18 has a certain charm...), with most cameras you’ll need a wide-angle bellows and a recessed lens plate (into which the lens should fit *properly*!).
A cheap camera without attachments quickly becomes quite expensive when you have to buy an internal back (the standard pitfall with cheap old Technikas), a lens and a plate.
A Technika with an internal back plate will also be expensive, so you’re better off looking at Wistas or Horsemans. You wouldn’t be using press cameras from around 1935, so you don’t need a rangefinder (which, with the Technika, should also come with the appropriate control curves for the respective lens).
Do you need tilt capabilities? If not, a fold-out ‘gentleman’s handbag’ (Grandad’s old plate camera) should do the trick. But be careful when buying one: most are in 9x12 format, which makes choosing film difficult these days. And they usually come with plate cassettes, for which you’ll either need to buy flat film inserts or carve them yourself. With self-carved flat film inserts (and perhaps some cleaning of the shutter mechanism yourself, as these are usually resin-clogged after 75 years), you’re looking at around €50. And a Xenar or Tessar isn’t a bad lens.
You also need to be careful with the old plate cassettes: there are ‘standard folds’, ‘million folds’ and a whole host of other cassette folds. Not every 9x12 cassette fits every camera.
The advantage of the ‘gentleman’s handbag’ and other ground-level cameras: flip the lid shut, pick it up, and you’re done. The downside: limited adjustment options for tilt/shift.
I’ve sent you another option via PM; I don’t want to spoil the eBay prices for you.
Best regards,
Franz
Andreas_23
Hello Gerd,
The Fujimoto is quite well equipped: the standard condenser is for large formats. There is also an additional condenser for 6x9 formats or smaller. This simply clips on with a bayonet mount. The enlarger is fitted with a Componon-S 5.6/150. Then there are two film stages, one for 9 x 12 cm and one for medium-format films (i.e. up to 6 x 9), and an M39 lens plate that fits my Rodagon 4/80.
Hello Franz,
Thank you very much for your tips. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.
Best regards,
Andreas
Gast
Hi Andreas,
I’m just curious: that’s not you in the photo, is it?
Best wishes... René
Andreas_23
Hi Andreas,
I’m just curious: that’s not you in the photo, is it?
Best wishes...René
Hello René,
No, I’m not that young. It’s my youngest son. He’s just turned 8.
Best regards,
Andreas
Andreas_23
Hello!
I’ve found a camera!!! It’s a Graflex Pacemaker Crown Graphic for 4×5-inch sheet film.
It’s portable and compact enough to take on the go, modern enough to work with comfortably, and the coated four-element lens should also meet my quality standards. As a floor-mounted camera, it can also handle special features like tilt and shift.
It’s exactly what I had in mind.
Many thanks to everyone who helped me with the search,
Andreas
cfb_de
Hello Andreas,
Does it have an international back plate? If not, I hope there were enough flat film cassettes included.
The Ektare (I assume you’ve got one) doesn’t have a bad reputation. Congratulations!
Best regards,
Franz
Andreas_23
Hi Franz,
There are 6 "Riteway" double cassettes included. As far as I can tell, they are identical to the international versions.
Best regards,
Andreas
cfb_de
Hi Andreas,
Well, that sorts everything out then. Congratulations!
Even if they aren’t internal cassettes: six of them is more than you’d need for a day, and a spare bag really doesn’t take up much space in your luggage with the Knips.
Best regards,
Franz
Claudius
Congratulations on the Fujimoto – I’ve got one of those sitting in my study, just waiting to be put to use.
Does anyone actually know where to get hold of spare parts, such as other negative stages or lens boards?
