Fotoman camera

[AYC Nee]

Hi Seniors

Any experience to share on Fotoman cameras? I am particularly interested in the 617 version since I cannot afford the Fuji GX617, thought this could be a cheaper and perhaps, comparable alternative. I heard that the camera is made in China, and is marketed by several companies, including the well known dealer Tin Cheung in Hong Kong. Apparently, it can use an amazing number of lenses, including the medium format Nikons.

Many thanks.

AYC

[Dream Merchant]

I'm not familiar with the Fotoman, but Nikon made medium format lenses? Do you have any links the the Nikkor medium format lenses? Would love to find out about them!

[catchlights]

AFAIK, Nikon does even made large format lenses.

[Dream Merchant]

I am familiar with the excellent range of Nikkor's LF lenses. I am using one of their UWAs.

I was just wondering since TS mentioned medium format lenses ...

[catchlights]

think he made mistake, the Fotoman cameras and many other brands of cameras, are using large format lenses even the camera is using medium format film.

[AYC Nee]

My apologies, it should be large format lenses. Medium format lenses are more associated with cameras such as Mamiya, Hasselblad, etc.

[Dream Merchant]

Originally Posted by catchlights think he made mistake, the Fotoman cameras and many other brands of cameras, are using large format lenses even the camera is using medium format film.

Alamak! Got me excited for a moment!

No worries.

CHEERS!

[insanne]

1st thing to note, Fotoman stopped all productions. I am not sure if you want to get a new or 2nd hand one. FM can use a lot of LF lens, but unless you want to stick to one or a couple, otherwise, you may need to buy along the way, ie. more costs. Following which you will have to get them mounted on the helical mounts that FM uses, ie where to get them mounted? I am not familiar with helical mounting but I do not think you can mount them yourself. I am not sure if Tin Cheung can mount them and if they need to be calibrated? I think you also need to be aware that with 617, you will need a lens with a fairly large circle image, ie costs again. There will be 2nd hand ones, but it's your luck.

Fuji GX617 is also OOP, but you will get support from Fuji locally, but it's mostly on minor issues. They will still have to send back to Japan if it's something serious. The few others that still in productions are will be the Linhof, Horseman, Ebony and Shenhao. I am not familiar with the other brands. Linhof and Horseman systems are similiar, almost like the fuji as well. You are stuck with a few lens. Ebony and Shenhao works more like a LF system, with choices of many lens. I feel that they are even better compared to FM as you can mount the lens youself, like a LF and you still can share the lens if you have a seperate LF system. I do not think you can do that with a FM. Similiarly you will need to shop around for the various lens, which should be more readily available than the Linhofs or Horsemans. Pricing wise, Ebony, is an Ebony, so the price is an Ebony. SH should be more affordable.

[AYC Nee]

Hi Insanne

Many thanks for the detailed reply. I am not familiar with Ebony and Shenhao (from China?). Fuji GX617 is reputable as most of the pano photographers use this, but it is very hard to find. I saw a couple of G617 but it is a fixed lens camera and not so versatile. Probably not advisable to get this model, since the initial outlay is also not that small. What is your advice?

AYC

[chiif]

Originally Posted by AYC Nee Hi Insanne Many thanks for the detailed reply. I am not familiar with Ebony and Shenhao (from China?). Fuji GX617 is reputable as most of the pano photographers use this, but it is very hard to find. I saw a couple of G617 but it is a fixed lens camera and not so versatile. Probably not advisable to get this model, since the initial outlay is also not that small. What is your advice? AYC

If you are based in Singapore and you want to get a 617, I can pass you someone who is an expert in this area. I think he still have some sets to let go...

The camera body is not as critical as the lens. what most important is the lens and the back focus distance adjustment.

If you intend to go into 617, then it pays to invest a little time to understand how to calibrate and adjust the lens with the camera body.

If you want to know the contact, PM me. He used to have an account in clubsnap but for some strange reasons, the mod suspended him...

[mattlock]

Fotoman ceased production.you'r egoing to have serious problems finding accessories for it

[ismangun]

I don't know whether this Fotoman 617 is compatible with Gaoersi 617.

If so, parts shouldn't be a problem I suppose, as the company still exists?


Cheers,

[insanne]

Originally Posted by AYC Nee Hi Insanne Many thanks for the detailed reply. I am not familiar with Ebony and Shenhao (from China?). Fuji GX617 is reputable as most of the pano photographers use this, but it is very hard to find. I saw a couple of G617 but it is a fixed lens camera and not so versatile. Probably not advisable to get this model, since the initial outlay is also not that small. What is your advice? AYC

SH is from China, Ebony is Japanese. The G617 is an older version of the GX617. The G617 is a fixed lens camera and the GX has 3 interchangeable lens. I used to have a GX but sold it off already. The handling is very good and light enough to be handheld, which you may use sometime although I never do. They could still be found in HK and China if you know where to look, but I will not advise you to do so unless you really know what to look out for, especially China.

The handling of the GX and the linhof are almost the same. You load the film as if it's a typical 35mm camera.

You will have to note that the handling of a linhof/fuji is very different from a SH/Ebony. I have to admit I am not familiar with a Fotoman nor a Gaoersi, but I think they are also similiar to a Fuji, except that you can mount on the LF lens onto their helical mounts, which gives you more choices. I am not incline to that personally because I still wish to share lens with my LF kit, but you may otherwise. SH/Ebony works very much like a LF kit. Lens are mounted on lensboard, you adjust and compose thru a gound glass. In fact, it's exactly the same except for the format.

I think it's really your preference for which sort of handling you will like. In the ideal senerio, you will want to be able to feel how both the system works and make a decision then, but Spore being Spore, it may not be easy. I think a couple of the 2nd hands may have a toyorama, so you may want to try it out first.

Costs wise, I think you have to be aware that lens for any of those are not cheap. Lens for the SH are more easily available and may, to a certain extend be cheaper. The fuji has 3 lens but they may not be easy to come by. But do aware that if you choose a Fuji, you will be stuck with the system. You can switch around LF kits if you take the SH route. You will lose some freedom if you chose the FM/Gaoersi in terms of the interchange-abilities of the lens, but you will get to keep the lens should you want to move on, unless you continue with their other bodies.

I will lean towards the LF type of system, ie SH, purely based on the fact that I can still change/add/upgrade my lens in the future. Fuji lens are hard to come by and expensive to service, but I have to admit they are nice You may want to check with Chiif's contacts to see what he has. I am sorry I really no clue about FM and Gaoersi.

I have to add that the Fuji and FM, however, is more travel-able than the SH. It's lighter and more mobile compared to the SH. You will need to bring along other accessories for the SH and the SH is larger and cannot be folded up like a tech camera.

I think I am repeating myself already ..... Anyways, if you want to chat over the phone, feel free to call. A search should turn that up.

[AYC Nee]

Hi Insanne

This is very useful information indeed. You are right, it will be very difficult to located used GX617 here, one would need to look at Hong Kong, Japan and US used camera shops. Most professional photographers such as Lee Frost used GX617 quite extensively and he has produced some breath-taking photos of the highest quality. Of course, owning such a camera is still very very far from achieving such results which are usually years of experience. I own a Noblex 60/150. It produces sharp images but when come to straight lines, it produces a weird bulging curve towards you and this is totally unrealistic. I think a flat film plane camera should not have this effect?

Many thanks!

AYC

[insanne]

Sure, my pleasure.

A Noblex works with a swing lens and the Fuji is a flat plane camera. No distortion at all, which also explains the price.

HK and US are your best bets, but I do not think you will have much luck with Japan, or Tokyo at least. I've been there already

Good luck

[Rangefinder_fan]

Nikon did make MF lenses, at least they did for Bronica in the past.
The mechanical Bronica S2 series used Nikon glass.
I've the 75mm and 150mm.
Not too sure about other mounts though.

Originally Posted by Dream Merchant I am familiar with the excellent range of Nikkor's LF lenses. I am using one of their UWAs. I was just wondering since TS mentioned medium format lenses ...