Lotus is one of the great names in wooden field cameras. They are made in small numbers at the foot of the Austrian Alps. Yet few people have used or even seen one. This is beginning to change. They have introduced a model designed to cater to the tastes of USA photographers, the American Model Lotus.

There are two big differences. The European model Lotus uses Delrin plastic for all focusing tracks. Delrin, which costs about the same as brass, is employed to reduce the weight and make the focusing smoother. Because of negative comments by the American photographers it has been replaced with brass on the American model. The weight increase is minimal and the focusing is smooth with the brass rails. The camera feels much more solid.  The other difference is the top focusing. Top focus is an extra track on top of the rails used to bring the camera's back forwards for wide angle lenses. The European model has a top focus which is pushed into place by hand then locked, like an Osaka. The American model's top focus is used by turning a knob, with the opposite knob a lock.

Otherwise the two models are the same. So far the 8x10 American Lotuses have been selling before they even get here. There is currently a short waiting list, with the next orders placed expected to be ready late in the year (written 6/06).

For those unfamiliar with the Lotus these are some of it's features. It is made of cherrywood with black anodized aluminum parts (anodized, not painted black, as some manufacturers do). The wood, thankfully, does not have a cheap shiny finish. It is tastefully finished with oil and wax, protecting and sealing the  wood yet leaving an unfinished look. The Lotus has ALL movements including shifts and rear rise, and the movements go further than on most other cameras. The camera is unusually light and folds more easily than other wooden field cameras because of a wooden yoke which they have placed around the front standard. The bed is made of slats instead of solid cherry, reducing weight and increasing rigidity. There is a metal tripod mounting plate on bottom.  Craftsmanship is exceptional, in a class with Ebony cameras. The placement of the glass viewing screen on exactly the same plane as the film is crucial to camera sharpness. It is not perfectly placed on most brands. It is on the Lotus. The negatives are as sharp as your lenses will produce. This 8x10 is one of the very best made.

Lotus makes cameras in most standard sizes, including 4x5, 5x7, 8x10,11x14, 7x17, 8x20, 12x20, 14x17 and 20x24. If you want some other size they will make that too. Their ultra large format cameras are far more well made than the Wisners which most people use, though a bit more expensive. (Wisner is out of production at the time of writing. Their future is doubtful.) They also make first class filmholders, rated among the best by the Ebony. Co.

The 8x10 size is kept in stock whenever possible at Bruce's Field Camera Store, the US-Canadian importer. Other sizes are made to order.  212 807 1403