  We study coherent and incoherent phi-meson photoproduction from nuclei. The
available data are analyzed in terms of single and coupled channel
photoproduction. It is found that the data on coherent photoproduction can be
well reproduced within a single channel optical model and show only little room
for omega-phi mixing. These data indicate a normal distortion of the phi-meson
in nuclei, which is compatible with the results obtained through the vector
meson dominance model. The data on incoherent phi-meson photoproduction show an
anomalous A-dependence resulting in a very strong phi-meson distortion. These
data can be explained by a coupled channel effect through the dominant
contribution from the omega -> phi or pi -> phi transition or, more
speculative, through the excitation of a cryptoexotic B_phi-baryon.
