Difference between revisions of "Foitzik"

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(Added Lens and Aperture information of Foinix 35 as visible on 2 images of that camera)
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=='''History'''==
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{{RightTOC}}
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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? -->
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==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. <!-- 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;"/>
 
==120 film==
 
==120 film==
 
===Foinix (6x6)===
 
===Foinix (6x6)===
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====Model Variations====
 
====Model Variations====
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First model cameras have a straigth topcover, second model cameras, starting from c1954 have a hump at the viewfinders location.
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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 :
 
Other observed Lens/Shutter combinations :
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}}
 
}}
 
A name variant of The Foinix (6x6) is the '''Atlantic 6x6'''.
 
A name variant of The Foinix (6x6) is the '''Atlantic 6x6'''.
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According to McKeowns<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 298</ref> 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>.
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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.   
 
That '''Atlantic 6x6''' has a part of its Film Memo scale colored.   
  
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|image_text= Foinix Ori
 
|image_text= Foinix Ori
 
|image_by= Alf Sigaro
 
|image_by= Alf Sigaro
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|image_rights=  creative commons
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|image_rights=  non-commercial
 
}}
 
}}
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
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{{br}}
 
{{br}}
 
----
 
----
 +
 
===Foinix Orito/Foitzik Reporter===
 
===Foinix Orito/Foitzik Reporter===
 
{{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
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|image_text= Foinix OS 1957 Advertisement
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|image_text= Foinix OS 1957 Advertisement<br/>
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|scan_by= Geoff Harrisson
 
|image_rights= wp
 
|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
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*Production c1954<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 297</ref>
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*Production c1954<ref name=foitzik1>{{McKeown12}} page 297.</ref>
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
 
----
 
----
 
===Mess-Foinix (rangefinder)===
 
===Mess-Foinix (rangefinder)===
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*Production 1954 till 1957<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 298</ref>
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{{Flickr_image
 +
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/31253629@N08/15783895014/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|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>
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 +
*Observed Lens/Shutter combinations : <br/>Foinar 1:3.5 / 75mm in a [[Prontor-SVS]] shutter
 +
*Uncoupled rangefinder
 +
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
 
----
 
----
 +
 
===Unca (6x6)===
 
===Unca (6x6)===
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*Production 1952<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 298</ref>
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*Production 1952<ref name=foitzik2 />
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
 
*Format: [[120 film|120 6x6]]
  
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==35mm film==
 
==35mm film==
 
===Foica===
 
===Foica===
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*Production 1948<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 297</ref> (early product made in Lübeck)
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*Production 1948<ref name=foitzik1 /> (early product made in Lübeck)
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
  
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|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
}}  
 
}}  
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*Production 1955<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 298</ref>
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*Production 1955<ref name=foitzik2 />
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
*Lens: Foinar 1:2.8/45mm
 
*Lens: Foinar 1:2.8/45mm
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===Foizica===
 
===Foizica===
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*Production c1948-49<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 298</ref> (early product made in Lübeck)
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*Production c1948-49<ref name=foitzik2 /> (early product made in Lübeck)
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
  
 
----
 
----
 
===Unca (35mm)===
 
===Unca (35mm)===
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*Production 1949<ref>McKeowns Cameras 2005/2006 Edition, page 298</ref> (early product made in Lübeck)
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*Production 1949<ref name=foitzik2 /> (early product made in Lübeck)
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
*Format: [[35mm film]]
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
  
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==References==
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==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)
  
  
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== Links ==
 
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* [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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* [http://tiefenschaerfe.blog.volksfreund.de/2006/11/14/foto-apparate-made-in-trier/ Foitzik history (german)] at [http://tiefenschaerfe.blog.volksfreund.de/ tiefenschaerfe Blog]
 
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{{br}}
 
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==Notes==
 
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<references/>
 
  
 
[[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)

6034979529_d025acbc09_m.jpg
Foitzik Foinix (6x6), second model
image by Gary Pearce (Image rights)
6034980349_361efe2dec_m.jpg
Foinix (6x6), Film Memo Knob
image by Gary Pearce (Image rights)
  • 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

15207419159_ab581a81b5_m.jpg
Atlantic 6x6, Back
image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)
15393988142_48a7bc88ea_m.jpg
Atlantic 6x6, Film Memo Knob
image by Hans Kerensky (Image rights)

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

4603806088_a362f89e6c_m.jpg
Foinix Ori
image by Alf Sigaro (Image rights)
  • 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

934004210_0abdb7dd46_m.jpg
Reporter
image by Graustark (Image rights)


Foinix OS

12968414685_a499d36ff2_n.jpg
Foinix O.S Trier AR N° 292
image by Donald Poirier (Image rights)
9793156064_c40b95bece_n.jpg
Foinix OS 1957 Advertisement
scanned by Geoff Harrisson  (Image rights)


Mess-Foinix (rangefinder)

15783895014_42f6f55ba0_n.jpg
Foitzik Mess-Foinix
image by radspix (Image rights)
  • 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)

10881851655_1ac8202121_n.jpg
Foitzik Foinix 35
image by Fredrik Alpstedt (Image rights)
8189412333_cfc32c5f9a_n.jpg
Foinix 35 with box
image by Christoph Blau (Image rights)
  • 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

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