Difference between revisions of "Foton"
m (Added ref to Cameraquest, where there's a picture with one of the long lenses.) |
(More details of controls, and refs for these, Rearranged advert images a bit.) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
''There is also a Russian [[instant camera]] called [[Foton (Instant)|Foton]].'' | ''There is also a Russian [[instant camera]] called [[Foton (Instant)|Foton]].'' | ||
| − | + | <div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 15px 15px;"> | |
{{Flickr image | {{Flickr image | ||
| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/97974762@N00/3112872176/in/pool-camerawiki/ | | image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/97974762@N00/3112872176/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/3112872176_d117a857c9.jpg | | image=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/3112872176_d117a857c9.jpg | ||
| − | | image_align= | + | | image_align= |
| image_text=Foton | | image_text=Foton | ||
| image_by= John Bosko | | image_by= John Bosko | ||
| − | |image_rights= with permission | + | | image_rights= with permission |
}} | }} | ||
| − | The '''Foton''' is | + | </div> |
| + | 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A four-inch T4 (f/2.5) Panchrotal,<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> and a ''twelve''-inch Cooke lens<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p123.</ref> were available, and an shoe-mounted viewfinder for the long lenses.<ref name=McK/> The lenses have a screw mount. The focusing helical thread is part of the camera body, not the lens.<ref name=CQ/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. | ||
| − | + | 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). | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
<br style="clear: both" /> | <br style="clear: both" /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | {|class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 15px 15px;" | ||
| + | |[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/6111532422/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6111532422_b930472a3d_n.jpg] | ||
| + | |[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/6111586132/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6111586132_95582eaed3_n.jpg] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |colspan=2|<center>Advertisements in ''U.S. Camera'', July (left) and November (right) 1949.<br/><small>Scans by {{image author|camerawiki}}</small> {{public domain US no copyright}} | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |} | ||
=References= | =References= | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
=Links= | =Links= | ||
* [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] | ||
| − | + | ||
[[Category: 35mm rangefinder system]] | [[Category: 35mm rangefinder system]] | ||
Revision as of 18:34, 29 June 2012
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
