After experiencing the joys of using a Fuji GX617 camera over a long weekend last year, I have been searching for an affordable way to to get into the 6x17cm format on a more permanent basis.

Friends have purchased the fixed-lens Fuji G617 and seem to enjoy working with it, so I started searching for one. After watching eBay for a while, and seeing reasonably poor examples sell for prices that good examples had brought just a few months earlier, I changed direction and began looking at other 6x17 cameras...only to find that most were way out of my price range.

And then I found some reviews of the Fotoman range of cameras! For the cost of the Fuji GX617 camera body, I could purchase the Fotoman 617 body, two lens cones, and two lenses....a complete outfit!

Of course, at the time that I wanted to purchase the camera, there wouldn't be any stock in the world...but, after a wait of a few weeks, new stock of the improved Fotoman 617 became available at Badger Graphic. A quick call, and my order was on it's way to Fotoman. I ordered the lenses for the outfit from KEH.com for a significant saving over new.

The camera arrived from Badger Graphic as two very well packaged items - while I was away in Australia! It didn't stay wrapped for long after I returned home...

As you can see in the photo above, the camera body and 90mm lens cone (for a Nikon 90/8) arrived in a nice aluminum case. I ordered a second lens cone to suit a Nikon 180/5.6.

A quick perusal of the instructions, and a few minutes work had the lenses mounted to the lens cones as shown below:

Using the piece of ground glass supplied, I checked the infinity focus as directed in the instructions. It seemed that no adjustment was needed - once I get the chance to run a test film or two, then I'll know for sure whether everything is OK.

An interesting change has been made to this camera since the reviews I read previously. The viewfinder now comes with a removable mask for each focal length. The mask simply snaps onto the viewfinder with a thin tongue sliding underneath the other addition - a bubble level.The viewfinder seems to be quite good, and the level is readily visible when looking through the finder.

Now all that remains is to spend some time out in the field with the camera...if its performs as well as it looks then I'll be very pleased. Photos should appear soon on www.andy.mcrae.net and ozimages.com.au