Any Gandolfi users out there?

[gandolfi]

I'm in too..

Have 6 Gandolfi's

a 4x5 - a half plate Louis Gandolfi stereo - a 5x7 black - a full plate - an 10x8 and a huge 12x16...

Ole: I'd like to buy your 4x5 - (don't have that model...)

[James B. McCourtney]

Andrew - thanks for those bio's and old photos. Looking back, it was a special time.

[Stu5]

I own a black 10x8 Gandolfi complete with full plate, 5x7 and 5x4 backs and sinar lens panel. Also own a Fogg bag that was designed for it. I use to know Brian who owned the company but he died a few years ago after taking it over from the Gandolfi brothers. I use to sell the cameras to camera shops for a short while if they were interested in them. Also did a Focus trade show at the NEC with Gandolfi. Use to regularly go up to the factory as it was only a 20 minute drive. Also did the first light test at the factory of the Gandolfi Variant a few days before it launched at the show. Quite a nervous wait as the Polaroid developed! Everything was fine though. After Brians death the factory moved to near Salisbury where is remains today. I see now though they only do repairs and lens boards. Think that happened this year. The person who runs it now was one of the guys who was making the cameras when they were based at Andover. Brian use to say he was very talented at his job and had a real feel for it.

[gandolfi]

Love to hear about these cameras and the history behind...

I have two images with my cameras - I really must go make better images of them! they deserve it...

[James B. McCourtney]

Stu - now that you mention it, I vaguely remember that the black version was an option. I do remember, at the shop, seeing the black tri-pods. Another unique thing, with my 5x4, Fred threw in a used hard leather case that he said was made at the shop years earlier.
I don't see the attachment click for photos but, when I do find it, I can post a shot.

[gandolfi]

Stu - now that you mention it, I vaguely remember that the black version was an option. I do remember, at the shop, seeing the black tri-pods. Another unique thing, with my 5x4, Fred threw in a used hard leather case that he said was made at the shop years earlier.
I don't see the attachment click for photos but, when I do find it, I can post a shot.

I have two gandolfi triposa, and also a very well made leather case for my 10x8..

I can take some pics

[James B. McCourtney]

I think I figured it out.

Notice the lens box that Fred made, and not in the photo, my wooden numbered holders with additional back.

[gandolfi]

I think I figured it out.

Notice the lens box that Fred made, and not in the photo, my wooden numbered holders with additional back.

that looks beautiful!

My leather case hasn't room for lenses, but for cassettes and/or my 4x5 reducing back...

Come to think of it, I also have an ancient (imperfect as it is missing the lid) leather case for my Lois Gandolfi stereo camera - and room for the 6 cassettes...

edit: sorry for the really crappy digisnaps...

[David Loney]

I'm now a proud 10x8 Gandolfi owner of less than a week.

I've shot two sheets so far and looking forward to shooting much more.

I've sent mine to Eddie Hill for a service and can't wait to get it back.

Will post some photos later...

[Bill_1856]

I just bought a Full Plate camera right before Christmas (through the For Sale column on this forum), but I'm going to have to sell it. I knew the bellows was not good, but I thought that I could patch it up. Unfortunately, it is way beyond the patch it up stage and will have to be replaced, and I'm not in a situation to do it myself or have it done locally.
What a magnificant work of art those cameras are.