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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).

 

Go to the main index Last updated 29th October 2007