Hunting for that special 4x5, my first LF camera

[Drew Wiley]

T-shirt weather here today; couldn't pass that up, and yes, I was out with my Norma. Prior to me, mine had only ever been used in the same studio overseas the whole time, and the original bellows was in almost like-new condition. Then, just in case, I located another original Norma bellows completely unused. I already had a number of Sinar and Horsemen special as well as regular bellows. But the original Norma tapered bellows is especially versatile and deluxe. The only reason I can think of why they discontinued them was that they might have just been too darn expensive to keep making.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Sinar Norma Price List July 1966 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Sinar Norma Price List July 1966 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

These are most (but not all) of the available accessories.

[Bob Salomon]

Sinar Norma Price List July 1966 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Sinar Norma Price List July 1966 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

These are most (but not all) of the available accessories.

The good old days. I had traded my Plaubel that I had gotten from Olden for the Sinar 45 Expert outfit. Problem was in my studio in Darien, CT the rails kept “rusting”. They would develop some type of rust red oxidation. The Sinar Product Manager from Paillard, Norbert Kleber, would make several trips to replace them.
This was, of course, before he opened FotoCare in Manhattan but he may have already have opened his gallery.

[r.e.]

The Sinar Product Manager from Paillard, Norbert Kleber, would make several trips to replace them.
This was, of course, before he opened FotoCare in Manhattan but he may have already have opened his gallery.

Just curious... So this gentleman Norbert Kleber owned FotoCare before Jeffrey Hirsch and family took over in 1990?

[Bob Salomon]

Just curious... So this gentleman Norbert Kleber owned FotoCare before Jeffrey Hirsch and family took over in 1990?

Yes. Norbert hired Jeff from Fishkin Bros. In Pert Amboy.

[Daniel Unkefer]

I just realized that I have every lens listed in the above Norma catalog, excepting the 800mm F9 Apo Ronar. LOL Oh Well

Lots of fun ahead

[jnantz]

These are most (but not all) of the available accessories.

I looked at the prices and was like, holy mackerel this place has a lot of deals! then I realized it was 1966
fun catalog!
thanks
==

justlikeswimming
I'm not sure what kind of travel backpacking system you might be planning to use ( or if you plan on using one at all )
I have always heard great things about Bruce's Photobackpacker * system. Made by a photographer, for photographers.
Once in a while they come up for sale, keep your eyes open because people that use them say they are fantastic


* I think it's Bruce ? if its not sorry not-Bruce I tried. ...


John

[r.e.]

Yes. Norbert hired Jeff from Fishkin Bros. In Pert Amboy.

I don't mean to take this too far astray, but some may be interested in this internet post from 2004 about Fishkin Bros. closing its doors: https://www.photography-forums.com/t...usiness.14132/

Given the New York market, which includes operations like B&H and Adorama, it's an accomplishment that FotoCare continues to have a strong client base in 2021, more than 50 years after Norbert Kleber started the business.

[Bernice Loui]

Ken Hansen Photographic in New York was another along with FotoCare.


There was a time when speciality stores served the LF view camera market in remarkable ways.


Bernice

[LabRat]

I don't mean to take this too far astray, but some may be interested in this internet post from 2004 about Fishkin Bros. closing its doors: https://www.photography-forums.com/t...usiness.14132/

I grew up around the corner from Fishkin's, hung out there a lot, and even worked there for a spell... Learned a lot, and was a primer for the foto industry for me... Most all of my early gear and supplies came from them...

But even before the internet, many would "shop" there, but buy grey market in nearby NYC (sound familiar in a "brick & mortar" way???) They considered moving north outside NYC to Rt 22 area, but the internet buying was taking a firm hold on sales business, so they let it go...

FYI, they were the principal contact dealer for the nearby Sinar distributor center...

Bob, Jeff & Bill were kool!!! ;-)

Steve K