Italian camera designer Gian Paulo Ferro manufactured an exclusive range of ring cameras from his Udine workshop near the Solevenian/Austrian/Italian border. The right angle finder gives away it's function. Packed into a very small space 25mm in diameter is a 10mm f2 lens with shutter speeds of 1/30 to 1/500 s. The six images are 4.5x6mm and are cut out of standard film with a special punch. There is also a special daylight developing tank.
Originally sold in cylindrical wooden case. Prices range from 2500-3000USD, No.67 of the GF-84 was sold 2003/05/24 for 1500EUR. GF-81, 1981 production in gold. It has been reported that only 20 have been made, numbered 001 to 020. The removable finder doubles as a screwdriver to set the controls. Overall height is: 45mm, with height above the finger: 25mm. Weight: 57grams. GF-82 added a fixed viewfinder to the previous model. These where made from 1983 until 1987, a total of 33, gold plated numbered 021 to 053. This also included GF-83 variation. GF-84, with only a reported 32 having been made in black anodized (serial numbers 054 to 085) and 22 gold plated ones numbered from 086 to 107. Five apertures of f/2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8. The black version weights only 20 grams. These where made from 1994 until 1998. This later version has a lighter shutter, a bigger finder which is easier to use. The most important changes concern the component's production, taken from the watch-making technique. The retail price, in 1994, was 5,000,000 Italian lire for each of the two versions (approximately 4400USD at the time). |