Many must have felt, that they have not found a camera, which they have been desiring for, or the camera they wished to have was beyond a reachable level they could afford. I myself have faced this dilemma several times. In 1996 I decided to put an end to all this. In half a year I managed to complete an operable 40x40 cm format camera. My story could have an end here, however I made up my mind to launch a serious development using my photographic and mechanic experience, and as they would have put it in old times, I trained myself to be a photographic joiner. During the years that have passed by since then, I have developed a camera-system, which has proved to be useable and effective according to the first customers who put an order. In the development and production of cameras my friend, Janos Beregszaszi has joined me, so the enterprise has become manufactural for today. We bravely dare to recommend our cameras for those, who find interest in large format photography, especially it's classic branch, and perhaps to whom making a photo with a camera made by hands, and designed according to their special needs, is also important. The cameras we make have numerous customized feature, which applies also to the accessories. We would like to highlight the square shaped, double wooden filmholder, by means of which the full area of the frame can be covered. The camera-system is called argentum referring to the roots of photography. Argentum cameras have two main types: excursor and explorator.

Excursor is developed to be a camera which is easy to handle, quick to set up, light weighted, small when folded, but still has the basic movements.

Explorator has a robust construction, however to its capabilities this camera still has an extraordinary light weight, and folds flat.

These two main types and their subtypes make it possible for everyone to have a customized camera, that he has been dreaming about.

Other cameras with different name is also made to fulfill special needs.

To build a camera we utilize silver anodized aluminium machines, and at first place cherry-wood as a stock. Cherry-wood has a nice appearance, and apart from its durability, it has a relatively light specific weight, and is significantly solid. Other types of wood are also considered as stock, like apple-wood, which is extremely massive, stable, and is very resistant to hits. Its only backward is the high specific weight, therefore it is recommended rather to make smaller large format cameras. The applied timber is stained to the desired color, the final surface treatment is done with hard wax.

In case of having special, even extreme needs, please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.

István Soltész