Difference between revisions of "Foton"
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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;<ref name=SPC>[http://www.vintagephoto.tv/foton.shtml The Foton] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/index.shtml Scott's Photographica Collection].</ref> The rangefinder is in a separate eyepiece from the viewfinder. | 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;<ref name=SPC>[http://www.vintagephoto.tv/foton.shtml The Foton] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/index.shtml Scott's Photographica Collection].</ref> The rangefinder is in a separate eyepiece from the viewfinder. | ||
| − | The lenses have a screw mount. The focusing helical thread is part of the camera body, not the lens.<ref name=CQ/> A four-inch T4 (f/2.5) Panchrotal was available;<ref name=CQ>[http://www.cameraquest.com/foton.htm Foton], including a picture with the four-inch Panchrotal lens and one with the film chamber open, at Stephen Gandy's [http://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm Cameraquest].</ref> An example has been seen at Westlicht with a Cooke 216 mm (8½ inch) f/5.6 Telekinic and a shoe-mounted rangefinder unit to serve one of the telephoto lenses;<ref name=W>[ | + | The lenses have a screw mount. The focusing helical thread is part of the camera body, not the lens.<ref name=CQ/> A four-inch T4 (f/2.5) Panchrotal was available;<ref name=CQ>[http://www.cameraquest.com/foton.htm Foton], including a picture with the four-inch Panchrotal lens and one with the film chamber open, at Stephen Gandy's [http://www.cameraquest.com/index.htm Cameraquest].</ref> An example has been seen at Westlicht with a Cooke 216 mm (8½ inch) f/5.6 Telekinic and a shoe-mounted rangefinder unit to serve one of the telephoto lenses;<ref name=W>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=20140812_1547&inO=438 Foton] serial no. 697076, with Amotal standard lens and Cooke 216 mm f/5.6 Telekinic, and shoe-mounted rangefinder, offered for sale at the [https://wlpa.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=4&L=1 27th Westlicht Photographica Auction].</ref> clearly, this suggests that the camera's own rangefinder does not couple with all the available lenses. McKeown states that a ''twelve''-inch Cooke lens was also available.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p123.</ref> |
The camera has a focal-plane shutter with metal blades, travelling vertically, with speeds 1 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'.<ref name=CQ/> 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<ref name=CQ/>). It also has both a 6 frame-per-second [[film advance|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.<ref name=SPC/> There is a control by the shutter release to select single or continuous exposures. | The camera has a focal-plane shutter with metal blades, travelling vertically, with speeds 1 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'.<ref name=CQ/> 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<ref name=CQ/>). It also has both a 6 frame-per-second [[film advance|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.<ref name=SPC/> There is a control by the shutter release to select single or continuous exposures. | ||
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| − | == | + | ==Notes== |
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==Links== | ==Links== | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=17&inO=512 Foton] with two-inch f/2 Amotal, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.objectlist?inC=WLPA&inA=17&inSiteLang= 17th Westlicht Photographica Auction] |
Revision as of 16:08, 6 July 2020
There is also a Russian instant camera called Foton.
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| 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.
The lenses have a screw mount. The focusing helical thread is part of the camera body, not the lens.[2] A four-inch T4 (f/2.5) Panchrotal was available;[2] An example has been seen at Westlicht with a Cooke 216 mm (8½ inch) f/5.6 Telekinic and a shoe-mounted rangefinder unit to serve one of the telephoto lenses;[3] clearly, this suggests that the camera's own rangefinder does not couple with all the available lenses. McKeown states that a twelve-inch Cooke lens was also available.[4]
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).
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Scans by camerawiki (Image rights) | |
Notes
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Foton serial no. 697076, with Amotal standard lens and Cooke 216 mm f/5.6 Telekinic, and shoe-mounted rangefinder, offered for sale at the 27th Westlicht Photographica Auction.
- ↑ 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 17th Westlicht Photographica Auction
