Foca? ..and new Retina IIa

Foca Universal. Not quite top of their line, I guess
But it's the lenses that count.

I see some Willy Ronis photographs and they look nice but then the photos are what's nice
Lens/es do look pretty capable, though. Maybe not super sharp but then perhaps scale focused
Nice ethereal quality to em.

Anyone ever use one of these? Quality cameras they all say.


I finally took some Retina rolls to get developed at Wal-Mart
50 f2 Xenon
Did a comparison with 50 1.8 Zuiko and Hi-Matic 7s 45 f1.8 Rokkor on same roll

Rokkor is very nice
Xenon while not quite as sharp or contrasty as the other 2 is still damn sharp ...especially at closer focus, it seems. Not missing anything! It "glows/bleeds/flares" a bit in the highlights, too. Not quite as Summar "retro" as I had hoped but perhaps with other subject material.

Rangefinder is dim.. not very contrasty. It will see a lot of use, though.

I've used a Foca Sport II. It's a fixed-lens rangefinder and a great little camera. Like most cameras, I had to service it. The lens is quite good. And you don't see many of them in use today -- that's for sure.

My writeup.

http://www.mwclassic.com/articles/foca_universal_rc/foca.htm

Here's a site that talks about the Foca.

Sounds like a nice - very nice - camera.

Jeff M

well, thanks guys. What I thought was very cool about the camera was it's focal plane shutter with "normal" style film loading. They had a 50 1.9 lens as well as a 28mm ..of f6.8 or something like the earliest 28mm Leica Elmars or whatever model. Seems like a kinda sorta wannabe leica M series with older style glass and easy loading.

The Minolta 35 RF has a modern back on it as well. Great camera - easy to find and very easy to repair / adjust.

Jeff M