msbarnes
Well-known
Anyone use Foca cameras?
I found one with a 5cm f3.5 lens at a decent price (much cheaper than a IIIc/f + Elmar).
I looked into this camera and there are some cool design advantages over Leica ltms, such as combined rf/vf and better film loading.
Thoughts? I'm most concerned about repairability and reliability.
I found one with a 5cm f3.5 lens at a decent price (much cheaper than a IIIc/f + Elmar).
I looked into this camera and there are some cool design advantages over Leica ltms, such as combined rf/vf and better film loading.
Thoughts? I'm most concerned about repairability and reliability.
DC1030
DC1030
I've heard that the shutter is extremly hard to repair. i had a foca with a defective shutter, no chance for it, sold it off as defective.
To service a leica ltm is quite simple and there are many sevicmen around.
I think a good ltm (III, IIIa) with a elmar is cheaper in the long run...
kind regards
andras
To service a leica ltm is quite simple and there are many sevicmen around.
I think a good ltm (III, IIIa) with a elmar is cheaper in the long run...
kind regards
andras
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
If you're like me, it would be a neat bit of variety. However, I have quite a selection of other cameras and don't rely on any given camera. If this would be your main shooter, the advice to get a reliable Leica is good advice. For me, it also depends on the initial capital outlay .... is this Foca inexpensive? If it approaches the price of a good Leica LTM, I'd probably pass. If it's bargain priced, I'd probably get it.
If you find you need repair, hopefully you're one of the type of people who are mechanically adept and "into" the challenge of camera repair. I have been one of those people, and sometimes I get great satisfaction, sometimes great frustration/disappointment from various cameras. All part of the "experience". I do have a small collection of failures (look great on the shelf), but I also have a larger collection of successes that go out with me and actually shoot photos.
I'm probably not helping...
If you find you need repair, hopefully you're one of the type of people who are mechanically adept and "into" the challenge of camera repair. I have been one of those people, and sometimes I get great satisfaction, sometimes great frustration/disappointment from various cameras. All part of the "experience". I do have a small collection of failures (look great on the shelf), but I also have a larger collection of successes that go out with me and actually shoot photos.
I'm probably not helping...
siracusa
Well-known
I use a Foca PF3. I like it very much - mine has the 5cm f2.8 lens, which is very good. I imagine that the 3.5 lens would probably be a Tessar copy, though I am just speculating, and I'd guess it would be a good performer.
The bugbear for me is the ergonomics. The distance scale is beneath the lens to one side - not a great location. The viewfinder is appalling. It's fine to focus through, but if you wear glasses, forget about it and mount an external viewfinder to use for composing after you have focused, which seems to be what Willy Ronis did with his. (As an aside, Ronis used the 50mm f1.9 lens, which is apparently excellent). And the final thing about the ergonomics is the winder: the film is advanced by turning the shutter speed dial. Less handy to wind on quickly than the film advance on a Leica screw mount.
Because of all this, my Foca is not the first camera I pick up when I want to use film. You compare it to a Leica. Having owned several film and digital Leica bodies, including ltm and M film bodies, I have to say that I even find the ergonomics of a screw mount body preferable. For example, you mention the combined vf/rf of the Foca. Well, that's fine, but don't forget that depending on which Leica screw mount you might buy, you will also have the lever to change magnification, thus increasing your focus accuracy. Also remember that the viewfinder and rangefinder on a Leica screwmount are handily located to the rear left of the body, whereas on the Foca they are central. And then take into account that the Foca vf is truly terrible. Leica cameras are, I would say, ergonomically superior.
But despite all of this (perhaps, in part because it adds some quirky charm and individuality), I absolutely adore my Foca and wouldn't ever sell it. If you can get used to its quirky ways the Foca is a great camera. If you're thinking of buying one then I'd check that the lens is clean, check that the shutter curtain looks okay, and check that the shutter is operating as it should. And after that, I'd buy, buy, buy and enjoy the camera if you're sure it is what you want. I love mine - it's my favourite out of my film cameras. But despite it being my absolute favourite, it isn't the first camera I reach for when I want to shoot film.
The bugbear for me is the ergonomics. The distance scale is beneath the lens to one side - not a great location. The viewfinder is appalling. It's fine to focus through, but if you wear glasses, forget about it and mount an external viewfinder to use for composing after you have focused, which seems to be what Willy Ronis did with his. (As an aside, Ronis used the 50mm f1.9 lens, which is apparently excellent). And the final thing about the ergonomics is the winder: the film is advanced by turning the shutter speed dial. Less handy to wind on quickly than the film advance on a Leica screw mount.
Because of all this, my Foca is not the first camera I pick up when I want to use film. You compare it to a Leica. Having owned several film and digital Leica bodies, including ltm and M film bodies, I have to say that I even find the ergonomics of a screw mount body preferable. For example, you mention the combined vf/rf of the Foca. Well, that's fine, but don't forget that depending on which Leica screw mount you might buy, you will also have the lever to change magnification, thus increasing your focus accuracy. Also remember that the viewfinder and rangefinder on a Leica screwmount are handily located to the rear left of the body, whereas on the Foca they are central. And then take into account that the Foca vf is truly terrible. Leica cameras are, I would say, ergonomically superior.
But despite all of this (perhaps, in part because it adds some quirky charm and individuality), I absolutely adore my Foca and wouldn't ever sell it. If you can get used to its quirky ways the Foca is a great camera. If you're thinking of buying one then I'd check that the lens is clean, check that the shutter curtain looks okay, and check that the shutter is operating as it should. And after that, I'd buy, buy, buy and enjoy the camera if you're sure it is what you want. I love mine - it's my favourite out of my film cameras. But despite it being my absolute favourite, it isn't the first camera I reach for when I want to shoot film.
msbarnes
Well-known
Thanks all.
The outfit that I found (Foca fp3 w/ 50 f3.5) is not too expensive ($200, Adorama), but I think that a Leica IIIc/f w/ an Elmar will serve me better in the long run.
The outfit that I found (Foca fp3 w/ 50 f3.5) is not too expensive ($200, Adorama), but I think that a Leica IIIc/f w/ an Elmar will serve me better in the long run.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Yeah, you can go nuts chasing down lenses and such for an obscure system, like I went through building up my Leidolf kit. But it is fun.
PF
PF