Anyone know about the Fotokor cameras? - little OT

[comp_wiz101]

I've been peeking around the large format gear lately, and I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with the 9x12cm Fotokor Plate cameras. If it is possible, how can one adapt the plate holders for photo paper or film? More importantly... are they good enough on average for me to bother?

 

[mbisc]

Don't know anything about that particular camera, but having played around with large-format cameras for a couple of years now, I can give you a couple of general suggestions.

I would think that the first problem with the camera will be the film format. While metric film is probably still available in Europe (and maybe by mail-order in North America), most of the sheet film is now in the "inch" sizes, so 4x5 for the smallest format.

Converting this camera to 4x5 is probably not worth it, especially given the price of used, entry-level LF gear.

As far as whether the camera is "good" that question has a very different meaning for LF camera (vs. smaller ones). If "good" is usuable, then you just need to make sure (1) that the bellows are light-tight, (2) that you have access to lensboards, (3) the groundglass is in one piece and (4) that all the hardware is there (screws, clamps, springs, tripod mount) and (5) that it has all the movements you need/want.

"Good" in terms of optical performance is obviously a question of which shutter&lens combination you put into this camera. However, even the poorest lens will produce better large prints than a M7 or M8 with the best Leica lens -- running for cover🙄

Regards,
Mike

 

[ZorkiKat]

I've shot with the Fotokor a few times, using BW photobromide paper. Result of course were paper negatives which can be scanned on a flatbed scanner to produce positives or later, prints. I'ts a fun camera to shoot with. The photopaper gives strange tonalities which have a lot in common with the old colour-blind plates. The plate holders which come with the camera are often (at least in my case) made for glass plates. Inserting a cardboard or glass- many of the plate holders are found with clear glass in them- will make them useable with thinner sheet film.

My cat loves it 😀

Here is an example (shot on Chinese "Era" Bromide paper for negative and then scanned and reversed into a positive in PS):

 

[Screwy]

I've been considering one of these for awhile but wasn't to sure what was involved in converting over to sheet film,Plus I have more than enough other projects to keep me occupied 🙄 but I notice that retrophotographic.com list 9x12 FP4 sheet film and having just purchased a DeVere 54 enlarger so that I can print the 6x9,s from the Moskva's , it would be a shame not to use it's full capability's 😀

Paul