Difference between revisions of "Foitzik"

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=='''Foitzik'''==
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{{RightTOC}}
{{Flickr_image
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==History==
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/75468899@N05/12968414685/in/pool-camerawiki
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The '''Foitzik-Kamerawerke''' were founded in 1945 in Lübeck, northern Germany, by machine construction engineer Karl Foitzik (born 1909 in Schomberg, died in car accident 1955). There the company could make 600 units of its early camera types Foica, Foizica and Unca. <!-- what does this mean? 600 cameras? Per day/week/year? 600 different parts? -->
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/12968414685_a499d36ff2_m.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_text= Foinix O.S Trier AR N° 292
 
|image_by= Donald Poirier
 
|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
 
 
The '''Foitzik-Kamerawerke''' were founded in 1945 in Lübeck by machine construction engineer Karl Foitzik (born 1909 in Schomberg, died in car accident 1955). There the company could make 600 units of its early camera types Foica, Foizica and Unca. <!-- what does this mean? 600 cameras? Per day/week/year? 600 different parts? -->
 
 
It had troubles with the quality of the [[Steinheil]] lenses. In 1950 the factory reopened in Trier with 20 employees. It was one of the many post-war German camera manufacturers.  According to various sources, the production in Trier began in 1951 and ended in 1958. Karl Foitzik himself took part in the development of cameras. The Foinix I was his construction.<ref>The history of the company and its founder are described in an article (in German) from Geschichte,14.11.2006.</ref>
 
It had troubles with the quality of the [[Steinheil]] lenses. In 1950 the factory reopened in Trier with 20 employees. It was one of the many post-war German camera manufacturers.  According to various sources, the production in Trier began in 1951 and ended in 1958. Karl Foitzik himself took part in the development of cameras. The Foinix I was his construction.<ref>The history of the company and its founder are described in an article (in German) from Geschichte,14.11.2006.</ref>
  
 
It has produced several camera models and some accessories, a [[self-timer]], two [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinders]] and a universal viewfinder. In 1953 the takeover of ''Optische Werkstätte Janetzki'' enabled Foitzik to produce its own lenses. In its heyday the company employed 150 people. Warehouses Kaufhof and [[Foto-Quelle|Quelle]] sold Foitzik's camera, exports went to 60 countries. The decline began with Karl Foitzik's sudden death in an car accident. His wife Margarethe led the company until it was closed in 1958.
 
It has produced several camera models and some accessories, a [[self-timer]], two [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinders]] and a universal viewfinder. In 1953 the takeover of ''Optische Werkstätte Janetzki'' enabled Foitzik to produce its own lenses. In its heyday the company employed 150 people. Warehouses Kaufhof and [[Foto-Quelle|Quelle]] sold Foitzik's camera, exports went to 60 countries. The decline began with Karl Foitzik's sudden death in an car accident. His wife Margarethe led the company until it was closed in 1958.
 
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<br style="clear:both;"/>
===Foinix 6x6===
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==120 film==
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===Foinix (6x6)===
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearciecouk/6034979529/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6144/6034979529_d025acbc09_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Foitzik Foinix (6x6), second model
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|image_by= Gary Pearce
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|image_rights= creative commons
 +
}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/pearciecouk/6034980349/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6203/6034980349_361efe2dec_m.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Foinix (6x6), Film Memo Knob
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|image_by= Gary Pearce
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|image_rights= creative commons
 +
}}
 
*Format: 120 6x6
 
*Format: 120 6x6
 
*Lens: Foinar 1:4.5/ 75mm
 
*Lens: Foinar 1:4.5/ 75mm
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*Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder in top cover
 
*Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder in top cover
 
*Flash: PC terminal
 
*Flash: PC terminal
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*Film Memo Knob
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 +
====Model Variations====
 +
First model cameras have a straight topcover; second model cameras, starting from c1954, have a hump at the viewfinder's location.
 +
 +
Other observed Lens/Shutter combinations :
 +
*Foicar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a [[Vario]] shutter
 +
*Foinar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a [[Pronto]] shutter
 +
 +
 +
====Name Variations====
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/15207419159/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3897/15207419159_ab581a81b5_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= Atlantic 6x6, Back
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|image_by= Hans Kerensky
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/29504544@N08/15393988142/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2948/15393988142_48a7bc88ea_m.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= Atlantic 6x6, Film Memo Knob
 +
|image_by= Hans Kerensky
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
 +
A name variant of The Foinix (6x6) is the '''Atlantic 6x6'''.
 +
According to McKeowns<ref name=foitzik2 /> the Atlantic is a name variant of the Mess-Foinix (with rangefinder) and produced for a Swedish Mail-Order house. However there are also Atlantic folders observed with only a viewfinder<ref>Actual camera owned by Hans Kerensky</ref>.
 +
That '''Atlantic 6x6''' has a part of its Film Memo scale colored. 
 +
 +
 +
====Performance====
 +
The optics are a little primitive; however, the camera is simple and easy to use if you don't mind having to either use a separate rangefinder for perfect accuracy or accept that focus may be a little rough. The flash mount often will not synchronise properly.
 +
{{br}}
 +
----
 +
===Foinix Ori===
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/4603806088/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/4603806088/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image_rights=  non-commercial
 
|image_rights=  non-commercial
 
}}
 
}}
 
=====Performance=====
 
The optics are a little primitive; however, the camera is simple and easy to use if you don't mind having to either use a separate rangefinder for perfect accuracy or accept that focus may be a little rough. The flash mount often will not synchronise properly.
 
 
===Foinix Ori===
 
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Lens: Foinar 1:5.6 / 75mm Trier AR
 
*Lens: Foinar 1:5.6 / 75mm Trier AR
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*Shutter: everset [[flash sync]]hronized, 1/25 sec. , 1/75 sec. plus B
 
*Shutter: everset [[flash sync]]hronized, 1/25 sec. , 1/75 sec. plus B
 
*Viewfinder: optical
 
*Viewfinder: optical
 +
{{br}}
 +
----
  
 
===Foinix Orito/Foitzik Reporter===
 
===Foinix Orito/Foitzik Reporter===
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Lens: Reporter [[Anastigmat]] 1:4.5/ 75mm
 
*Aperture: 4.5 - 22
 
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/graustark/934004210/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/graustark/934004210/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image_by= Graustark
 
|image_by= Graustark
 
|image_rights=  with permission
 
|image_rights=  with permission
 +
}}
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*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
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*Lens: Reporter [[Anastigmat]] 1:4.5/ 75mm
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*Aperture: 4.5 - 22
 +
 +
*Shutter: [[flash sync]]hronized, 1/25 - 1/200 plus B
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*Viewfinder: optical
 +
{{br}}
 +
----
 +
===Foinix OS===
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{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/75468899@N05/12968414685/in/pool-camerawiki
 +
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/12968414685_a499d36ff2_n.jpg
 +
|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= Foinix O.S Trier AR N° 292
 +
|image_by= Donald Poirier
 +
|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image=  http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/9793156064_c40b95bece_n.jpg
 
|image=  http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/9793156064_c40b95bece_n.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
|image_text= Foinix OS 1957 Advertisement
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|image_text= Foinix OS 1957 Advertisement<br/>
|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|scan_by= Geoff Harrisson
 
|image_rights= wp
 
|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
*Shutter: [[flash sync]]hronized, 1/25 - 1/200 plus B
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*Production c1954<ref name=foitzik1>{{McKeown12}} page 297.</ref>
*Viewfinder: optical
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*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
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{{br}}
 +
----
 +
===Mess-Foinix (rangefinder)===
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{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/31253629@N08/15783895014/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/15783895014_42f6f55ba0_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Foitzik Mess-Foinix
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|image_by= radspix
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|image_rights=  with permission
 +
}}
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*Production 1954 till 1957<ref name=foitzik2>''ibid.'', page 298.</ref>
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*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
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*Observed Lens/Shutter combinations : <br/>Foinar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a [[Prontor-SVS]] shutter
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*Uncoupled rangefinder
  
 +
{{br}}
 +
----
  
 +
===Unca (6x6)===
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*Production 1952<ref name=foitzik2 />
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*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
  
===Further cameras===
 
  
====120 film====
 
* Foica, Foizica, Unca (early products made in Lübeck)
 
* Foinix OS
 
* Mess-Foinix (rangefinder)
 
====35mm film====
 
* Foinix I
 
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
  
== Links ==
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==35mm film==
* [http://photo.even.free.fr/col_app.php?type=fein&title=Feinmechanische Feinmechanische page] at [http://photo.even.free.fr/ Collection G. Even's site]
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===Foica===
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*Production 1948<ref name=foitzik1 /> (early product made in Lübeck)
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*Format: [[35mm film]]
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 +
----
 +
===Foinix (35mm)===
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{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alpstedt/10881851655/in/pool-camerawiki/
 +
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/10881851655_1ac8202121_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= Foitzik Foinix 35
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|image_by= Fredrik Alpstedt
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|image_rights= non-commercial
 +
}}
 +
{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisblau73/8189412333/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8490/8189412333_cfc32c5f9a_n.jpg
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|image_align= right
 +
|image_text= Foinix 35 with box
 +
|image_by= Christoph Blau
 +
|image_rights= with permission
 +
}}
 +
*Production 1955<ref name=foitzik2 />
 +
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 +
*Lens: Foinar 1:2.8/45mm
 +
*Aperture: 2.8 - 16
 +
{{br}}
 +
----
 +
 
 +
===Foizica===
 +
*Production c1948-49<ref name=foitzik2 /> (early product made in Lübeck)
 +
*Format: [[35mm film]]
  
 +
----
 +
===Unca (35mm)===
 +
*Production 1949<ref name=foitzik2 /> (early product made in Lübeck)
 +
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
 +
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 +
== Links ==
 +
* [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/index.php?/category/878 Feinmechanische page] at [http://www.collectiongeven.com/piwigo/ Collection G. Even's site] (in French)
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141107074737/http://tiefenschaerfe.blog.volksfreund.de/2006/11/14/foto-apparate-made-in-trier/ Foitzik history (german)] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20150925033326/http://tiefenschaerfe.blog.volksfreund.de/ tiefenschaerfe Blog] (archived)
 +
 +
  
 
[[Category: German 6x6 folding]]
 
[[Category: German 6x6 folding]]
 
[[Category: German camera makers]]
 
[[Category: German camera makers]]
 
[[Category: F]]
 
[[Category: F]]

Latest revision as of 19:43, 26 February 2024


History

The Foitzik-Kamerawerke were founded in 1945 in Lübeck, northern Germany, by machine construction engineer Karl Foitzik (born 1909 in Schomberg, died in car accident 1955). There the company could make 600 units of its early camera types Foica, Foizica and Unca. It had troubles with the quality of the Steinheil lenses. In 1950 the factory reopened in Trier with 20 employees. It was one of the many post-war German camera manufacturers. According to various sources, the production in Trier began in 1951 and ended in 1958. Karl Foitzik himself took part in the development of cameras. The Foinix I was his construction.[1]

It has produced several camera models and some accessories, a self-timer, two rangefinders and a universal viewfinder. In 1953 the takeover of Optische Werkstätte Janetzki enabled Foitzik to produce its own lenses. In its heyday the company employed 150 people. Warehouses Kaufhof and Quelle sold Foitzik's camera, exports went to 60 countries. The decline began with Karl Foitzik's sudden death in an car accident. His wife Margarethe led the company until it was closed in 1958.

120 film

Foinix (6x6)

  • Format: 120 6x6
  • Lens: Foinar 1:4.5/ 75mm
  • Aperture: 4.5 - 22
  • Shutter: Vario 1/25 - 1/200 with double exposure lock
  • Viewfinder: optical direct vision viewfinder in top cover
  • Flash: PC terminal
  • Film Memo Knob

Model Variations

First model cameras have a straight topcover; second model cameras, starting from c1954, have a hump at the viewfinder's location.

Other observed Lens/Shutter combinations :

  • Foicar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a Vario shutter
  • Foinar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a Pronto shutter


Name Variations

A name variant of The Foinix (6x6) is the Atlantic 6x6. According to McKeowns[2] the Atlantic is a name variant of the Mess-Foinix (with rangefinder) and produced for a Swedish Mail-Order house. However there are also Atlantic folders observed with only a viewfinder[3]. That Atlantic 6x6 has a part of its Film Memo scale colored.


Performance

The optics are a little primitive; however, the camera is simple and easy to use if you don't mind having to either use a separate rangefinder for perfect accuracy or accept that focus may be a little rough. The flash mount often will not synchronise properly.


Foinix Ori

  • Format: 120 6x6
  • Lens: Foinar 1:5.6 / 75mm Trier AR
  • Aperture: sunny (1:11) and clouded (1:5.6)
  • Shutter: everset flash synchronized, 1/25 sec. , 1/75 sec. plus B
  • Viewfinder: optical



Foinix Orito/Foitzik Reporter



Foinix OS



Mess-Foinix (rangefinder)

  • Production 1954 till 1957[2]
  • Format: 120 6x6
  • Observed Lens/Shutter combinations :
    Foinar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a Prontor-SVS shutter
  • Uncoupled rangefinder



Unca (6x6)



35mm film

Foica

  • Production 1948[4] (early product made in Lübeck)
  • Format: 35mm film

Foinix (35mm)

  • Production 1955[2]
  • Format: 35mm film
  • Lens: Foinar 1:2.8/45mm
  • Aperture: 2.8 - 16



Foizica

  • Production c1948-49[2] (early product made in Lübeck)
  • Format: 35mm film

Unca (35mm)

  • Production 1949[2] (early product made in Lübeck)
  • Format: 35mm film


Notes

  1. The history of the company and its founder are described in an article (in German) from Geschichte,14.11.2006.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 ibid., page 298.
  3. Actual camera owned by Hans Kerensky
  4. 4.0 4.1 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). page 297.

Links