SamuliSchielke
I’ve been thinking about making the move to large format for a while now (the main hurdle being money) and have often found myself gazing longingly at the Fotoman 4x5 in the catalogue... When will it be available? And, more importantly, how much will it cost?
Gast
Oh, sorry, I can see the price is actually listed there. Pretty cheap, I must say. Is there a price for the camera, circuit board and lens combined, or is everything priced so individually that you can work it out yourself from the prices of the individual parts? And what about availability? I won’t have enough money until next autumn anyway, so there’s no real rush...
MirkoBoeddecker
Samuli,
The price does not include the lens, but the camera is otherwise complete.
It remains to be seen whether it will actually be sold at the ‘asking price’.
The price was based on the previous quality of the prototype.
Much has since been improved with the construction of the new Fotoman factory following the fire that destroyed part of it last summer.
The latest news suggests that full production capacity will be restored in three months.
Best regards,
Mirko
SamuliSchielke
Right then, I’m happy to wait that long; I won’t have enough money for shopping until September anyway. Improved quality is welcome, but for me a lot will depend on the price, as I only spend money on photography and don’t earn anything from it...
Samuli
MirkoBoeddecker
It won’t be twice as expensive, after all.
The focusing screws will be better, as will the viewfinder.
I reckon that between them, they’ll bump up the final price by about €150–250, but it’s worth it!
The improved viewfinder alone is worth many times that amount, and anyone who’s used the old one will agree with me.
With L----, you can’t even get the viewfinder on its own for that price...
Best regards,
Mirko
SamuliSchielke
It’ll be worth it. What exactly does ‘otherwise complete’ include? The camera body, viewfinder, focusing screen, film magazines, a studio, a model, big commissions, brilliant photos, a Pulitzer Prize, an exhibition at MoMA?
PhilippReichmuth
You've forgotten 'groupies'!
I'd still give the Graflex another think ;)
Philipp
SamuliSchielke
Hi Philipp,
I think it goes without saying that groupies in sexy ADOX T-shirts are part of the package ;)
A Graflex would certainly be worth considering, especially the Speedgraphic. A large-format viewfinder camera was once the standard for journalists – Weegee used one. On US eBay, a Graflex Speedgraphic is currently selling for 250–300 dollars. It’s a lovely piece of kit, and I’ve had every confidence in old cameras ever since my 1948 Flexaret proved to be my best and most reliable camera. So, a question for the experts: what can the Fotoman do that the Speedgraphic can’t?
Samuli
PhilippReichmuth
Hi Samuli,
So, a question for the experts: what can the Fotoman do that the Speedgraphic can’t?
Have a look at grossformatfotografie.de ;)
Philipp
MirkoBoeddecker
Samuli,
A Graflex can do more than a Fotoman.
A Linhof, an Alpa, a Horseman and a Cambo can too.
The Fotoman is designed for taking ‘snapshots’ on 4x5”, which is a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
When do you ever actually use all the adjustment options on a view camera?
In 2% of cases, or 5%? The Fotoman is designed for all other situations.
If that’s your thing, you can be sure that with every click you’ve captured everything possible, and later you can produce outstanding prints.
Anyone who says that’s over the top has a point, and anyone who wants to work seriously with a view camera (perspective correction etc.) will buy a Tachihara from Greiner.
The Fotoman is a camera that’s meant to be fun. Just take it out, point it and click.
The price includes EVERYTHING except the 35mm film cassette and lens.
Best regards,
Mirko, who has been working with a Speedgraphic since 1993 but is keen to try the Fotoman because he has NEVER used perspective correction or a tripod for his landscape photography.
