Anyone familiar with Fatif Cameras?

Philippe-Georges

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This was a Milan (Italy) based camera and studio equipment manufacturer.
I have somewhere a product brochure, when I find it I will attach it here
As I recall, but correct me if I am wrong, the 'I' in the name comes from Italia and one of the 'F' from Fotografia, the other from Fabbricazione (remember F.I.A.T.)...
As with most if the Italian products, a lot of energy went into the design (that's why I like the Silvestri).
 

guangong

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So that’s what F.I.A.T means. Most people assumed it was an abbreviation of Fix It Again Toney!
 

GregY

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Harlequin, a beautifully made italian camera. I've only had my hands on one....an 8x10....lovely lovely artistic piece of work.
 

MarkS

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They were marketed in the USA in the late 1980s-1990s. I saw them on display at the big Photo Expo shows in NYC at the time. They were system cameras, designed for the advertising studio market. Competing against Sinar, Linhof, Arca-Swiss, Toyo, et al. I had their brochure, which showed many studio accessories, a la Foba; stands, tripods, booms, etc.
I never knew anyone who used one, and the ads disappeared from the magazines rather quickly. So despite their apparent quality, they must not have been a sales success here.
 

Mal Paso

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There are two on ebay now. One 4x5, one 8x10. Interesting, they are both monorails and look very light. Would have to use one to see how sturdy.

I have a light and a medium to heavy Cambo so I'm set.
 

GregY

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Mal Paso said:
There are two on ebay now. One 4x5, one 8x10. Interesting, they are both monorails and look very light. Would have to use one to see how sturdy.

I have a light and a medium to heavy Cambo so I'm set.
Click to expand...

They're very sturdy....
 
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