NOTICE

All material in this blog falls under the laws of Copyright. Each Artist represented retains their own copyright to their images.Reproduction without their written consent forbidden by law.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

John Minnicks : The Liberator Camera

In this electronic gizmo, " fits in your pocket " era, John Minnicks reaches into the past to revamp a classic film camera into an art piece that is getting quite a following.

What he wanted was a hand-held 4X5 camera, with some style, with a look…

So he started with the Graflex cameras. The only problem was they wouldn’t accept the 7” F:2.5 lens. The lens with the 3-D look, (the fastest 4X5) that could focus from 3’ to infinity…  {The AERO-EKTAR lenses were used for aerial reconnaissance spy photography in World War II!}


Minnicks modified them to accept the lens by machining the camera. He makes custom-designed bellows, a new mirror-bright screen and a Graflock back, which will accept any 4X5 Polaroid back and roll film backs. 





The lens board has a Tilt & Swing enabling
selective focus. The live image is 4X5 landscape, the short back focus of the lens and the precision size of the body to achieve infinity. Shutter speeds generally range from 1/500-1/30 sec.+ time exp.

Each camera body is unique and special, a bit different because each part is individually designed to suit the camera.



That amazing look is matched with the images achieved with the camera: a hand-held 4X5 with full control of the image.

image by ...©Bernard Testemale


John enjoys working with each client to design his or her personal and unique camera.

( on the right Dave Burnett )

image...©Bernard Testemale



Each one uses different materials and finishes: leathers, exotic leathers, metal finishes, choices of bellows and hood materials…


Prices depend on materials used: lenses, body and parts/materials.
 A basic black leather runs about $3600.00, the Woodies run $6,000.  Due to the amount of custom work and attention to detail and specially machined parts, he can only build a few a year. ( woodies )  -  (Weather conditions affect finishes as well.)




For more information, contact us at:   johnminnicks@gmail.com   203-247-3833

24 comments:

  1. It's not only the film that makes this pleasing - the cameras themselves are works of art, art meets function. Sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just retired my Dad's folding 6 x 9 120 camera yesterday. Film pack and bellows have light leaks. This is the camera my grandfather bought for my Dad on his 24th birthday in 1938. Dad's images are on my blog at webbersphotography.blogspot.com. I've gone back to our Voigtlander Vito II 35mm folding camera with its Skopar 3.5 lens and leaf shutter. I'd like to buy the new Fuji 6x6-6x7 folding camera. I've read good reviews. My film of choice is still Tri-X which I process and print in my own darkroom. On occasion, I'll shoot infrared film which I really enjoy. It's great to see film/formats "returning" to what was common place not so long ago.
    God bless and be well,
    Hank Webber - Webbers Photography

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a Fuji 634 folder and I love it; unfortunately because of the materials that they used at the time had bellows light leaks GALOR. I had the bellows replaced by:
      Camera Wiz Repair 645
      169 Pleasant Hill Rd.
      Harrisonburg, Va.
      22801-5715
      BE careful!

      Delete
    2. Fuji 645 folder! Sp.!

      Delete
  3. Dzieło sztuki samo w sobie. Super.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very nice camera, I agree that this is a work of art.

    My film work has narrowed down to large format, as I am seeing less and less advantage in the smaller formats. I'm sure that I will always do pinhole on film, as my results are so much better than when shooting digitallly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. stunning camera! and photos with a truly unmatchable and personal quality.

    ReplyDelete
  6. John, I am so impressed with the quality of your cameras -- they are truly a melding of art and function, which we all strive for.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mastery is rare, John moves easily in that sphere.

    ReplyDelete
  8. To buy trustworthy and valid LinkedIn Followers, Endorsements and Connections, you may speak to us. This will encourage you to enhance the professional identification online. link to buy linkedin followers

    ReplyDelete
  9. The celebrities are very famous compared to the other aspects of a firm page which is a good point for all brands huge or tiny. facebook reviews

    ReplyDelete
  10. Have you been enthusiastic about procuring Android App Store ratings and reviews? If that is so, you’re on exact web page. We can provide you genuine Android App Store reviews/ratings in bulk. buy permanent app reviews

    ReplyDelete
  11. You just need a fans page, and then order for likes and comments to come. At the time you buy facebook video views from a specific territory, the page will be viewed by some others also. purchase facebook video views

    ReplyDelete
  12. You can market your company by adding as numerous facebook likes as you can, as people constantly look for brands and items that have great deal of sort on facebook. buy geo targeted facebook likes

    ReplyDelete
  13. Life-time Replacement is an element that you scarcely find, when you Buy facebook reviews. Exclusively a few decent suppliers offer this. buy facebook fanpage reviews

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  15. If you need to acknowledge which the pills for treating erectile dysfunction are, you can generally Google for them. Regardless, that, in it, might show another issue - fake data and false reviews. Just constantly ensure that it's authentic and that the solutions are embraced and regarded safe if you are using Cenforce 150 mg. So you genuinely need to do your very own due assurance concerning finding the best typical male enhancers. Anyway that is routinely excessively dull and dreary. Finally, whichever erectile issue you have, there's reliably help out there, on the web or at backs off.

    Visit more Products:--
    cenforce 200
    Fildena 100
    vidalista 60
    cenforce 200


    Cenforce 100
    Cenforce 150
    Cenforce 200
    fildena 100

    ReplyDelete
  16. There are numerous physical and mental purposes behind erectile dysfunction. Most doctors see erectile dysfunction as a sign of an increasingly vital basic ailment as Cenforce 150 mg. For example, a diminished blood flow to the penis or some nerve damage can cause erectile dysfunction. Luckily treating erectile dysfunction isn't as hard as it used to be. That is the explanation we have done some analysts work and found the best ones for you in our benefit box beneath. Do look at it now. If the spinal harm is remarkable, treating erectile dysfunction coming about on account of this sort of damage might be unimaginable.
    Visit more Products:--
    Cenforce 100
    Cenforce 200
    Fildena 100
    Vidalista 40
    Vidalista 60
    Cenforce 200
    vidalista 60

    ReplyDelete
  17. If you are trying to quit smoking all together then you need to commit and stop carrying your cigarettes around with you. If you do not have cigarettes with you then you make it less convenient to smoke. This will make it easier for you to quit in the long run.satta king

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Before using cenforce 120 mg, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional, especially for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular issues, liver or kidney problems, or those taking medications that may interact with Sildenafil Citrate.

    ReplyDelete

Comments signed anonymous will be deleted. You should stand behind what you say.