Prototype of the Polish 4x5 LF camera

k_jupiter · Apr 11, 2011

So of course I ask... why?

It's a nice project. But I see nothing that wasn't included in a Deardorff designed and built 80 years ago (and copied many times over by most other camera manufacturers). What's the market potential for a new camera that brings nothing new to the table? Price? Cheap assed cameras abound, especially used. Are there people clambering all over the world for a new cheap view camera when so many used ones sit on someones shelf, unused and almost unsellable. Has there been a run on Speed and Crown Graphics that I know nothing about?

So, two scenarios:
1.) I don't have a camera. Do I dream of my Polskia 45 View in my sleep? Ummm.. no. It's not a Deardorff, it's not an Ebony, it's... a box.
2.) I have a couple of cameras. Do I want to upgrade my system with the new Polskia 45 View? I hope not. What the heck was I shooting with to start with? Is it so cheap I think I'll buy one to take to the rain forests and not worry about having a croc eat it? Pretty small market I think.

So don't let me get you down. Maybe I am off base. I just don't see the world needing another 5 cent cigar.

tim in san jose

waynecrider · Apr 11, 2011

There's alot of companies out there manufacturing a spit and polished camera and to some extent they all look alike in Cherry and Teak. One that I think is nice looking is the Canham wood.
What I would like to see is something more industrial looking without the metal lacquer at a better price point meaning sub Chamonix, Shen Hao and Tachihara prices. The white tho looks nice with the red bellows. Just polyurethane the heck out of it.

ulv · Apr 11, 2011

Marco, Steve. Back is hold in place by four neodymium magnets. But it's a secret ;-)

Jnanian. It is standard Fidelity Elite.

David. Yes camera could be closed with small lens (such as this Wollensack Optar). We haven't plan to build and sell white camera so far, but so many people ask for such version that we indeed started to think about it. Yes, I think You are right, it could be hard to have clean white for long time. Well if we want to be ok with our customers we have to warn them about this possibility. We tested prototype with test similar to back/front focus tests and ground glass is perfect in place.

Sirius Glass. Cherry wood, red bellows and polished brass is my favorite combination.

k_jupiter. You have a lot of right, but You have to notice one thing also. Our main target market is local market here in Poland. We have not a lot of old, second hand field cameras in good condition available. Even Crown or Speed graphics in not so good condition could cost a lot because it is quite rare animal. Next thing is this simple fact that average Pole is not as wealthy as US citizen. Ebony or Deardorff is great, but it costs a lot. Even cheapest Chinese Shen-Hao or Chamonix is in many situation is big expense especially for hobbyists.
Of course I could be wrong and we will not sell anything. That's ok. We started this project to learn something new. It is not our main source of income. In the matter of fact it so far an experiment and if we earn some money it will be great if we don't that's ok too. Maybe we create good quality entry level camera for good money and it will be success. Who knows.

Rafal

nickrapak · Apr 11, 2011

When I saw this thread, I thought I was going to see a picture of a camera made out of film that takes pictures on a 4x5" plank of wood!

k_jupiter · Apr 11, 2011

nickrapak said:
When I saw this thread, I thought I was going to see a picture of a camera made out of film that takes pictures on a 4x5" plank of wood!

Polarized wood.

tim

k_jupiter · Apr 11, 2011

ulv said:
k_jupiter. You have a lot of right, but You have to notice one thing also. Our main target market is local market here in Poland. We have not a lot of old, second hand field cameras in good condition available. Even Crown or Speed graphics in not so good condition could cost a lot because it is quite rare animal. Next thing is this simple fact that average Pole is not as wealthy as US citizen. Ebony or Deardorff is great, but it costs a lot. Even cheapest Chinese Shen-Hao or Chamonix is in many situation is big expense especially for hobbyists.
Of course I could be wrong and we will not sell anything. That's ok. We started this project to learn something new. It is not our main source of income. In the matter of fact it so far an experiment and if we earn some money it will be great if we don't that's ok too. Maybe we create good quality entry level camera for good money and it will be success. Who knows.

Rafal

You want success?
Make it a kit.

tim in san jose

M.A.Longmore · Apr 11, 2011

.
From : Dead Link Removed

When Arvid Viktor Hasselblad, son of the companys founder and
an avid amateur photographer, established a photographic division
within the company he is reported to comment.
I certainly dont think that we will earn much money on this,
but at least it will allow us to take pictures for free.

Ron
.

Steve Smith · Apr 12, 2011

ulv said:
Marco, Steve. Back is hold in place by four neodymium magnets.

Thanks. I was wondering if it could be magnets.

k_jupiter said:
You want success?
Make it a kit.

I think selling as a kit could be a good idea. Also just selling parts. e.g. someone might be interested in just the back to fit to their own camera.

Do you make the bellows yourself? You could have some success selling those too.

Steve.

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 12, 2011

It is true that there aren't a lot of choices on the local Polish market for large format cameras. In the shops in Kraków I've seen a few Linhofs, some big Soviet studio cameras, and not much in between, and the pathways for purchasing a camera through the Internet are different due to language and perhaps methods of payment.

Argentum in Hungary seems to be surviving, making affordable wooden LF cameras.

A business making LF cameras in Poland could also be a business selling lenses, filmholders, film, and other accessories.

europanorama · Dec 7, 2011

Price-list?

Is it still a prototype? is there a price-list? Thanks by me-half-polish.

mike c · Dec 8, 2011

I'd like a 5x7, red bellows with med grey paint job thank-you.

Mike

steven_e007 · Dec 8, 2011

Good luck with it

I hope it sells.

I might consider buying one when you've perfected the focal plane shutter version ;-)

John Koehrer · Dec 8, 2011

I agree with Tim that there would be a market for a kit camera. Why not present them side by side, it would eliminate a lot of the labor involved in assembly and open your market to a younger or less affluent group.

rudolf · Dec 9, 2011

David A. Goldfarb said:
A white camera with a red bellows is going to start looking dirty with regular use, I think. If you want to offer a camera in patriotic colors, how about red with a white bellows?

Great idea!
I vote for yes; Rafa?, maybe you should think about this camera as a national product, and sell it only in patriotic colors?
That would be recognizable at first sight.

hobbes · Dec 9, 2011

rudolf said:
Great idea!
I vote for yes; Rafa?, maybe you should think about this camera as a national product, and sell it only in patriotic colors?
That would be recognizable at first sight.

[Polish humor]

Yeah! and I'd call it TP-1 (from "Teraz Polska", Poland Now!)

[/Polish humor]

ulv · Dec 13, 2011

Rudolf, idea is great but as we know now white camera is not such a good idea. White bellows... well, who knows. Last two prototypes are ready at this moment. First five cameras for sell will be available probably in January. Two color version, but none of them is white for now, natural wood with red bellows and second with black.
We also think about simpler version as a diy kit. And yes, maybe in future we will create also 5x7 and 8x10 version.
I will provide You new photos and informations soon.

Best regards
Rafal

John Austin · Dec 13, 2011

I question the Tackyhara fittings and wonder why the back has not been made to rack forward for WA work

I am keen to see the 10x8" version and will start a savings account for it if it looks more sensible than the Tackyhara - I bought the Tackyhara as is was importer run-out stock at a saving of $2400 compared to my preferred Canham

However, I find polished wood, red bellows and brass tiresome and I have all the brass bits of my brand new Tackyhara 10x8" soaking in old fixer to make them look better - Cameras should be black, or bright pink like one home-built British Bulldog camera

EASmithV · Dec 13, 2011

I'd be very interested in an 8x10 version.

M.A.Longmore · Apr 10, 2012

.
It's Been A Year So Far.
It's Time To Get An Update From Rafal !

Ron
.

ulv · Apr 19, 2012

Be patient a little longer. We are just before the big day - official premiere. Soon I will show not only the final version of the camera but also a little surprise. About camera I could just say that it is not red and white in standard version. This color variant was hard to keep clean. Surprise... well it is a secret now.

Best regards
Rafal

himself · Apr 19, 2012

the camera looks great.

where in Poland are you guys based?
I'd like to maybe see one of these things

pbromaghin · Apr 19, 2012

The suspense mounts...

bkarasek · Aug 1, 2012

Where can I buy the camera?

Hello, Is there a place in Poland where I can buy the. If so , I'll my cousin in Poland to get me one. What price are they selling for.

Best of luck with the camera.

regards, Bogdan

Trond · Aug 2, 2012

Any news on this project?

Trond

ulv · Aug 8, 2012

Great news. First few cameras are ready now. For sale of course. Here You could see one of photos, more soon at my blog ( Dead Link Removed ) and dedicated website.

Himself, Bogdan - we are from Krasnik near Lublin.

Prototype of the Polish 4x5 LF camera

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