Mentor* Studio | Frank Titze

Menu The Artist Search Info Legal Tools Technic Nikon D800/D810 Nikon D3300 Nikon FE2 Nikon F4s Nikon L35AW AF Rollei 35 S Bronica GS-1 Fuji GX680 II Linhof S.-Technika IV Seagull 4A-103 Zeiss-I. Ikonta 521/2 Zeiss-I. Ikonta 521/16 Toyo View 45G Linhof Technika* III Welta 9x12 Mentor Atelier Mentor Studio Nikon Nikkor AIS Bronica Zenzanon Fuji Fujinon GX680 Fuji Fujinon LF Reproduction Lenses Shot on Film Shot Digital Best Known Methodes Constructions Maintenance / Repairs Processes Plain List of all Pictures Shop Portfolio

Mentor* Studio

Overview

The Mentor Studio (13x18 cm) is a large-format studio camera from the German company Mentor-Kamerafabrik (Dresden) build from . Different as the name suggests, it was capable for use in a professional studio environment but also in the field.
Key Characteristics:

Large Film Format: The "13x18" in its name refers to the film format it uses: 13x18 cm sheet film. This is a very large format, even by large-format standards (the more common formats are 4x5 and 8x10 inches (9x12 cm and 18x24 cm respectively). This large negative size yields incredible detail, resolution, and tonal range, making it ideal for high-end work.
Design: The camera is has a portable "field camera" design but it is a large and heavy. It's meant to be mounted on a sturdy tripod, where its weight and size are an asset for stability and precision.
Movements: As a large-format view camera, the Mentor Studio 13x18 would have offered a comprehensive range of camera movements. These include:
- Front Standard Movements: Rise/fall, shift, tilt, and swing, which allow for perspective correction and control over the plane of focus.
- Rear Standard Movements: Similar movements on the film plane side, which are also crucial for controlling perspective and depth of field.
Shutter: While some Mentor cameras were SLRs with focal-plane shutters (like the Atelier-Reflex), the Mentor Studio series were often simple view cameras without a built-in shutter. Instead, they would use lenses with their own integrated leaf shutters, which is the most common setup for studio large-format photography.
Construction: The camera is typically a robust, all-metal construction with a large bellows for focusing.

In summary, the Mentor Studio 13x18 is a classic, large-format studio camera. It represents a time when photographers and artists relied on large negatives for maximum quality and had the time and space to work with these large, deliberate tools.

26.08.25

Imprint

Data Privacy Policy

Trademarks

Help