Difference between revisions of "Foton"
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* [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=189934&_ssl=off#189934 Foton] with two-inch f/2 Amotal, sold at the [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=185087&acat=185087&lang=3 May 2010 Westlicht Photographica Auction] | * [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=189934&_ssl=off#189934 Foton] with two-inch f/2 Amotal, sold at the [https://westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=185087&acat=185087&lang=3 May 2010 Westlicht Photographica Auction] | ||
Revision as of 00:54, 26 November 2014
There is also a Russian instant camera called Foton.
Foton image by John Bosko (Image rights) |
The Foton is a high-specification 35mm camera launched by Bell & Howell in 1948, with a small number of interchangeable lenses and a coupled rangefinder. The standard lens is a 'Filmocoted' Taylor-Hobson 2-inch T2.2 (f/2) Cooke Amotal anastigmat (the aperture is marked in T-stops). This can be focused either by twisting the lens itself, or with the focusing wheel on the front right-hand side of the body;[1] The rangefinder is in a separate eyepiece from the viewfinder.
A four-inch T4 (f/2.5) Panchrotal,[2] and a twelve-inch Cooke lens[3] were available, and an shoe-mounted viewfinder for the long lenses.[3] The lenses have a screw mount. The focusing helical thread is part of the camera body, not the lens.[2]
The camera has a focal-plane shutter with metal blades, travelling vertically, with speeds 1 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'.[2] The shutter release is on the front of the body (there is a button on the top housing where a shutter release might be expected; this is the rewind release[2]). It also has both a 6 frame-per-second spring motor advance (with the winding key in the base) and a manual advance knob on the top housing. Advancing the film cocks the shutter; there is a frame counter, and an indicator window beside the film advance knob, to show when the camera is wound on and cocked.[1] There is a control by the shutter release to select single or continuous exposures.
There is a film speed reminder dial tucked under the hot shoe.
In 1949, the camera was advertised for $700 in the July issue of U.S. Camera. In just a few months, the advertised price had dropped to $498 (see the advertisements below).
Scans by camerawiki (Image rights) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Foton at Scott's Photographica Collection.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Foton, including a picture with the four-inch Panchrotal lens and one with the film chamber open, at Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). p123.
Links
- Foton with two-inch f/2 Amotal, sold at the May 2010 Westlicht Photographica Auction