The Fotet - Photography by Brian Price


			The 'Fotet' is a re-badged Korelle 3x4, made by Franz Kochman, Dresden around 1931. The Fotet Camera Company was based in Hatton Garden, London - the heart of London's diamond industry. It is quite compact when folded, measuring 4.5" x 2.7" x 1.8" (112 x 70 x 40mm) and feels comfortably solid. It takes 16 photos measuring 30 x 40mm per roll of 127 film. I found a roll of Kodak Super-XX film in the camera - you can see the photos on the results page.



A metal strut unfolds to allow the camera to be used on a table for long exposures.	The lens is a Ludwig Vidar, 50mm f4.5 with stops to f22. More expensive Korelle models had Radionar or Tessar lenses.	The Compur shutter has speeds from 1 second to 1/300th, along with T and B.



The owner added an exposure table on some masking tape. The weather is down the side, and the subject (bright, average etc.) is along the top.	The direct vision wiewfinder pops up automatically when the bellows are opened, using the silver button.	The bellows open instantly and solidly using a strong spring and four posts. Closing can be rather tricky!



A strong, positive catch holds the hinged back in place. You have to press all four posts in at the same time to fold the camera.	The spools are held in place by a sprung platform, which makes it easy to insert or remove the film.	The milled wing-on knob stands slightly proud of the body. Apart from closing the bellows, the camera was very easy to use.