Fotoman 45PS

N

NoTx

Guest
You know, someone around here brought up the Alpas recently… which of course immediately had me thinking about them. Which is bad, because while an M8 is something I can plan for, even the Alpa TC gets a little out there as far as price is concerned. But I still went looking… and this lead me thinking about a Mamiya 6 or 7… which led me to comparing it to the Bronica RF645. And all was good in the world.. until I stumbled upon something that just threw me: fotoman 45PS. Is it just me or could this be an incredibly neat and EFFECTIVE camera with say anywhere from 65mm to 105mm lens? Anyone have any thoughts on the 45PS?

Oh, and here is a link for the less GAS afflicted among us:

http://www.fotomancamera.com/prodect_list.asp?id=190

Thoughts? I have never had a large format before... but the price and style of shooting are something I am very comfortable with:)
 
Well, if you like tripods and extreme image quality....
I've got a Brooks Veriwide, a 6x9 camera with fixed 47mm schneider. Works well for what it does, but of course its tripod only material. When you need it, you need it. Not a very good general purpose tool, though. It's got about the same perspective as your Fotoman with a 75mm lens.
I'd look into used equipment too. Maybe a Cambo Wide?
 
Bryce, I take it that is a 45PS is kinda not a direction you like?

The brooks is very interesting though... very interesting in deed.
 
I really dig the concept of the fotoman 45PS, I've contemplated it before too, but I'm a little turned off by the price of film and processing in 4x5" format. Here in brussels for example a box of 10 kodak 100G chromes is 40 euros, plus 26 euros in processing (2.6e each) that's pretty steep.
 
The cost of the film and development can be a bit steep, though honestly I was planning on mainly B&W... which dramatically cuts development prices.

I had been looking at a variety of options... even to the point of prunimg my lenses for trade bait (C/Y 45mm tesser, 50/1.4 planar and 60/2.8 s-planar) for lenses (65/4 nikkor, 75/4.5 and or 105/5.6 fujinons).

Those prices do seem a bit steep.
 
If you're totally new to large format, why not get a $300 crown graphic with a coupled rangefinder and go nuts with that and see if it's for you. ;) Those old press cameras are still a treat to use and you won't have to get a 2nd mortgage. The crown graphic I use now was bought for $240 in ex+ condition with a quite good 135mm lens. The rangefinder is swell. A couple of recent shots in my gallery were made with that. I am considering putting a 612 back on it.

I'll make this cautionary statement about large format: the number of available emulsions is rapidly declining, so you need to know your craft and be confident in your reasons for shooting LF. There is far more selection and availability in 120 / 200 roll film, and the overall expense per shot is far less. Heck, with 120 or 220 roll film, you can go right up to 6x17cm ultra-pano with the right back on a large format camera or use a fotoman or the fuji gx617 or similar.

Another option is to get a 4x5 and use a pano rollfilm back, the 612 backs will run you $500 or so. This route is preferable if you need tilt & shift.

If you don't need tilt & shift, the mamiya 6 and 7 and 7ii cameras are awesome. You might consider the pentax variants as well, which are much less expensive but far more clunky to work with.

BTW I had a fuji ga645W (not the Wi, that is different) and I loved it. Very nice RF, runs like a point and shoot but gives great negs and slides and the lens is awesome. I think Dante Stella presents a good case for that versus one of the mamiyas, though I went for the latter because of the interchangeable lenses and 6x6 format.. no more rotating the 645 frame.... anyway if you can find a fuji gsw690 that is a great camera as well.
 
Last edited:
You can get 6x12 a /lot/ cheaper than $500; more like $200 top (search 6x12 on eBay)

Otherwise, everything keith said! I also got a crown, and it's fantastic. The "problem" with the large format is that you sort of need a tripod and front movement (fotoman lacks movements I think) if you want to do "near to far" focus.
For all the other shots, including handheld with the rangefinder and a Grafmatic back, the crown is just absolutely great. You can also buy 4x5 B&W film very cheaply from eBay; the Chinese have two brands that are in fact very good.

And these 4x5 Velvia 100 trannies do pack some punch !
 
Last edited:
You know... it's sad... all this talk of needing tripods just leads me in odd directions like some of the MF fuji beasts...GAH!!!! Need to go shoot some photos before I go on a buying spree (Fotoman 45PS, Cron Graphic, and GX680... all making it onto the list).
 
Buze said:
You can get 6x12 a /lot/ cheaper than $500; more like $200 top (search 6x12 on eBay)
Click to expand...

I guess you are referring to that Chinese system that I always see on ebay. I haven't gotten my hands on one yet so I can't say whether it is worth it. It is indeed about half or a third of the price of the "standard" 612 backs. It has been enticing me for a while though! Let me know if you have experience with one, I haven't been able to find any in-depth reviews. Thanks!

BTW I do sometimes use the crown handheld in true press camera fashion. There are some really fast films one can use; R3 goes up to ISO 6400 and there is also that wonderful fuji fp3000b in 4x5 format.

(sorry for the tangents!)
 
Last edited:
You don't need a tripod for a 45PS. I have used a Speed and Crown Graphic handheld and my most used camera now is a 6x12 medium format camera. The 45PS could be a lot of fun. I would get in the 55mm to 75mm lens range for it so you can zone focus - you would want rangefinder focus for longer lenses. The only down side would that it could only take slide in roll film holders made by Cambo or Sinar which would make it awkward to handle - the Cambo Wide is better in this regard.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom