Mentor Panorama 4x5 cameras

Over the past couple of months, I've been eyeballing the MF/LF section of a local auction site. LF gear is pretty uncommon there, but every couple of weeks, someone puts up a Mentor Panorama (II) camera up for sale. Right now there's one (camera + 300mm 4.5 lens + 2 film holders + 1 mf film holder) ending in a couple hours. I've been waiting to get into LF photography for a while, and this auction (especially at this price) is really, really tempting.

The problem is - I know nothing about these cameras and my searches haven't brought up anything. I'd love to hear any and all opinions, comments... generally, anything, about them from someone who's had contact with them.

If that's a 300mm f:4.5 Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar like I think it is, that camera is a 13x18cm one. The lens front glass is 67mm across; the back looks to be a lot more than 2x that. Same goes for any other 300/4.5, by the way.

Looks like there's a reduction back with it too - you see it in the background in one of the pictures.

Apart from that, I know nothing about Mentors. But it looks to be a good, strong, solid camera - on the heavy side for outdoor work, though.

As Ole said, these are very heavy cameras. I've seen a manual for Mentors somewhere, but can't find it on my hard drive right now. Do note that this Mentor has a curtain shutter behind the lens! It might be useful, as you can mount barrel lenses on it. You might want to check on the german large format forum, as it seems more members there have Mentors and might be able to help out. Good luck deciding.

I have a 9x12 Mentor that I had a 4x5 grafloc back installed on. They are fun cameras, but a bit fragile. Mine is a reflex and it is easy to damage the mirror return system. It's fun though to have a 4x5 (almost) reflex camera with front swings and tilts!

Hej Jedrek

I also have a mentor camera, but the `larger`one - 18x24, jak cos to pytaj

Paul