INTRODUCTION

The Photax I is a medium format viewfinder camera made in France by MIOM (Manufacture d'Isolants et d'Objets Moulés) in 1937.

BEST SUITED FOR:

Art

PERSONAL NOTES

This camera is big, but light. The unique collapsible lens design makes it possible to make the camera a bit smaller when not in use. But popping out the lens demands a bit of force, mine is a bit stiff.

The Photax I shoots 8 6x9 frames or 16 645 frames (with the provided mask) on 120 film.

It's is super easy to use, like any other medium format cheap plastic (or bakelite) camera, you just load the film, shoot in sunlight, and use the red window to get to the next frame.

The viewfinder is particulary bad on the Photax, it's difficult to see all the way from an end to the other, basically, it's almost impossible to compose properly.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line, no medium format viewfinder camera is worth using, except for the cheap lomographic cameras like a Holga 120N, a Fujipet, or on the complete opposite side, the marvelous wide angle Hasselblad. If you plan to use it, don't buy a Photax I, it's not worth it.

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