I'm considering buying a Lotus 5x7 View camera and would like to hear from people who have used Lotus cameras (any size). Would you recommend them? What do you like / not like about them? etc. Anything that you feel I should know before making the final decision would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

-- Wilfried Kruse (ossi@prodigy.net), February 22, 2002

Answers

Wilfried,

Sorry no answer, just another question:

From your name (and email OSSI) I assume you are German and from that I want to ask the following: have you ever seen a Lotus camera at a shop in Germany (NRW)?

I am also lurking at a Lotus camera, 4x5 though.

I did send an email to Lotus today with some questions, one of the questions was wether there is the possibility to see (and feel) the camera without traveling to Austria :-)

To answer partly your question: What me got drawn to the Lotus is the sleek/elegant design and the movements that seem to be more generous (shift & raise/fall) compared to other brands.

How well it can be un/folded is something I would love to test on a real camera.

Huib.

-- Huib Smeets (hsmeets@plex.nl), February 22, 2002.

Huib,

good observation about the name and e-mail alias - I am indeed German. However, I have been living in California for 14+ years, so I can't answer your question about Lotus cameras in German stores. One observation I'd make is that the Lotus people seem to be extremely easy to work with and very responsive to special requests. I haven't asked them about a "loaner" or something like that, though.

-- Wilfried Kruse (ossi@prodigy.net), February 22, 2002.

Haven't seen or used a Lotus View Camera, but, as an American who lives most of the year in Austria, I have dealt with them often (mostly film and paper). They are reputable, prompt and eager to be of service. Maja Stoebele, who runs the office, speaks and writes excellent English, so don't hesitate to e-mail them. Maybe they can direct you to somewhere where you can get a "hands-on experience" with one of their cameras. Hope this helps ;^D)

-- Doremus Scudder (ScudderLandreth@compuserve.com), February 22, 2002.

Stupid of me: I just read the above post and see that you are German. Kannst schon a bissi Deutsch, oder? Maybe the Americans will find the info useful. ;^D)

-- Doremus Scudder (ScudderLandreth@compuserve.com), February 22, 2002.

Huib asked whether the lotus had been seen in a camera store in Germany. I did see one in the summer of 2000 in a store in Munich - I believe it was called Second Hand Cameras or some such. They advertise in Shutterbug.

Tony

-- Anthony J. Kohler (arbitrator@uneedspeed.net), February 23, 2002.

Wilfried,

If you are going to Europe via London I would suggest that a visit to Linhof & Studio might prove beneficial. They are the UK agaents for Lotus and have the range available on view - even up to the 20x24 monster with its aircraft motors for rise/fall etc.

I looked at them a couple of years ago when I had intially been drawn to Gandolfi (L&S also agents for Gandolfi) - the finish and operating ease of the Lotus raises the hairs on the back of my neck.

Contact:

Mrs. Paula Pell-Johnson Linhof & Studio

+ 44 207 7295 751 phone

+ 44 207 729 5787 fax

or paula@linhofstudio.co.uk

I am in no way affiliated with Linhof & Studio beyong being a customer of theirs from the other side of the planet - Sydney, Australia

Happy shopping,

Walter Glover

-- Walter Glover (walterg@netaus.net.au), February 24, 2002.