Primer d.o.o. Peter Skrlep

"When years ago the collodion process began to enter my life it soon occupied most of my thoughts. Through the learning process and while working with wood during the renovation of our family home. I came to a resolution to make my own large format camera. Indeed it became my corona project.

As I have been using my camera I met some other photographers who fervently encouraged me to continue with the production and initially I completely dismissed the idea. Gradually I came up with many improvements and decided to give it a go."

First prototype 40x40cm camera, 2020

Home of Primer cameras

Primer Camera company was founded in 2023 by a Slovenian photographer and craftsman Peter Skrlep, in gratitude for the encouragement and support from some of the leading photographers. The company is situated in his family home in Menges, Slovenia in the heart of Europe.

At this initial stage Primer builds 2 different camera models but is opened to custom orders. In addition, we also teamed up with Zebra Dry Plate company for holders and accessories for all the formats we build, our exclusive specialty being square format holders.

“Back in August of 2022 I was fortunate to find myself in Slovenia with my good friend Borut Peterlin. I was not planning on creating on this trip, I had no camera or chemistry. I had a thought of a portrait of Borut laying down on a 1000 year old ground level water well with his first book in his hand and his brass lens. I was going to indeed create on this trip, one plate is all I wanted. That is when Peter offered to lend me his camera for the shot. I immediately said, “where did you get this” and he explained “I made it”, I was blown away by the craftmanship and the quality in my hands. I went on to use his camera to make “Succumbed To Light” on August 6th, 2022. My 4341st wet plate since I began the wet plate process in October of 2012. The camera worked like a dream even in the uncertain environment of the Slovenia mountainside. I would recommend this camera by my good friend to anyone.”

Shane Balkowitsch

Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio
Bismarck, North Dakota, USA

Shane with prototype 8x10

Borut Peterlin - Succumbed To Light 8-6-2022 #4341

About a year ago, I met @peterskrlep during the Wetplate Expedition 22 by @borutpeterlin. We bonded over our shared passion for wet plate photography, and two things left a lasting impression on me. First, Peter's wonderful welcoming and friendly family. The second remarkable memory was Peter's craftsmanship and his self-built camera. I even suggested he produce more cameras. Perhaps it was @balkowitsch, who was also present during the expedition, that provided Peter with extra motivation to enter production.
In spring 2023, Peter delved deep into camera-building. I promised to buy one without knowing the cost. As a prospective father, I took on extra work. I visited Peter after a flood-delayed trip, and his dedication to his craft left me in awe. Peter unveiled his impressive Mehovke Primer Camera, a testament to his knowledge and perfectionism. Conversations with Peter and his son, Filip, showed their passion for this project. I'm proud to own the first 12x12 inch Mehovke Primer Camera, and I'm moved by the passioned work behind it.

Niklas Hlawatsch
fuchsteufelbild.de
Essen-Werden, DE

In action