Fotoman

[PBrooks]

Hello I just recently purchases a Fotoman 612 w/65mm lens and also a 150mm. I will be adding more lenses but wanted to start with these two. I am not new to using lf, Ulf lenses, not on mf though. So, I do have a few questions.

How are your lenses calibrated? At the center or for correction of lens curvature.

What do you think the advantages are for each way of calibrating?

Why is there not a Fotoman social group. I think that would make sense?

Tell me what you like about your Fotoman? Advantages and disadvantages.

All the Best!
PBrooks

 

[sar-photo]

This is nothing to do with your questions (sorry!), but I am hoping to buy a Fotoman 612 with a Rodenstock 65mm lens. Which 65mm lens do you have? Do you need to use a center filter with it?

Cheers
Simon

 

[PBrooks]

hello Simon, The 65 on mine is the nikon f4. I don't beleive that I will need a center filter. I am still in Taiwan for the next few weeks and will be returning to the states, where the camera is waiting.

 

[rternbach]

Hello I just recently purchases a Fotoman 612 w/65mm lens and also a 150mm. I will be adding more lenses but wanted to start with these two. I am not new to using lf, Ulf lenses, not on mf though. So, I do have a few questions.

How are your lenses calibrated? At the center or for correction of lens curvature.

What do you think the advantages are for each way of calibrating?

Why is there not a Fotoman social group. I think that would make sense?

Tell me what you like about your Fotoman? Advantages and disadvantages.

All the Best!
PBrooks

You might also try asking the above on the fotomancamera.com site under Q&A.

 

[eclarke]

Hello I just recently purchases a Fotoman 612 w/65mm lens and also a 150mm. I will be adding more lenses but wanted to start with these two. I am not new to using lf, Ulf lenses, not on mf though. So, I do have a few questions.

How are your lenses calibrated? At the center or for correction of lens curvature.

What do you think the advantages are for each way of calibrating?

Why is there not a Fotoman social group. I think that would make sense?

Tell me what you like about your Fotoman? Advantages and disadvantages.

All the Best!
PBrooks

Calibrate by focusing on infinity through the ground glass. What I like: well made, what I dislike: no movements...Evan Clarke

 

[PBrooks]

I guess everyone is out working with these cameras at the moment. I didn't think that the Q/A section of Fotoman website was an appropriate place for these questions. Thanka for you response Evan.

 

[JBrunner]

I have the 6x17 with a 90mm SA. It's focused for infinity with the little ground glass. At the stops I use that works just dandy. What I like? The negatives. What I dislike? Not really hand holdable with my lens in most situations.

 

[PBrooks]

Thank you Jason, I'm still not sure if I should place the little GG off to the side when calibrating for the 150. This would if I read correctly allow for the curvature of the lens and get me closer focus. What do ya'll think. By the way Jason, I'll be in your state in about a month with this camera. I was planning on staying around the Hite area give or take.

 

[Van Camper]

Hello I just recently purchases a Fotoman 612 w/65mm lens and also a 150mm. I will be adding more lenses but wanted to start with these two. I am not new to using lf, Ulf lenses, not on mf though. So, I do have a few questions.

How are your lenses calibrated? At the center or for correction of lens curvature.

What do you think the advantages are for each way of calibrating?

Why is there not a Fotoman social group. I think that would make sense?

Tell me what you like about your Fotoman? Advantages and disadvantages.

All the Best!
PBrooks

I prefer at the center, you got to pick one or the other...but most lenses (all formats) fall off towards the edges...so this is more natural. What I like-

a) Built like tank, beautifully finished
b) Well known for film flatness
c) I carry an additional 10mm space (add between body and cone when want
to focus real close). This reduces my near distance by about 50%.
You can also add a 25% spacer and focus even closer.
No other panoramic camera can do this. Of course you lose infinity focus,
so you add the spacer only as needed.
d) Huge lens choice

I liked it so much I bought two, my buddy bought three (we wanted fast handling, not having to mess with removing cones).
Also still in full production at Fotoman China (Fotoman Camera and Fotoman China had split, with Charlie the original designer running Fotoman China exclusively in Chinese market) ... see http://www.fotomancamera.com.cn/

And to contact them see.... fotomancamera@yahoo.com.cn My buddy ordered a 150mm cone and rangefinder from them (very quick). Speak English too.

 

[coigach]

I use a Fotoman 617 with 150mm Caltar. It's a new camera to me, but I'm enjoying coming to grips with it and learning to see in 'letterbox'.

It's quite a specialised tool and, as such it, is an addition to my main landscape photography camera system (Pentax 67II + 5 lenses) rather than a replacement.

Likes: Build quality, film flatness, those amazingly-sized transparencies...

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[rternbach]

FOTOMAN in CHINA--Keeping a good film camera going

I recently ordered a cone + hfm for my 612 from Fotoman in China.
Response time was rapid, communication excellent, and they even sent jpegs of the items to be supplied when they sent the invoice. Payment was via paypal, shipment was immediate, and package was received in less than 10 days. Post-purchase questions were answered quickly and clearly. My thanks to Charlie and his assistant Sally at Fotoman in China. I am including their contact info here:

Tel:+86755-88834733
Fax:+86755-29558764
Http:www.fotoman.cc
PayPal:fotoman@yahoo.cn
E-mail:fotomancamera@yahoo.com.cn
地址:深圳市宝安区西乡宝源路F518时尚创意园F17栋客服中心二楼
Add:F17, F518 Idea Land, Baoyuan road Baoan district, Shenzhen , China Zip code:518102