Camera that writes parameters on the negative

[Boris Mirkov]

I saw some MF photos that had f stop and shutter speed written on the side of the negative, any idea what camera that could be?

 

[L.J.SILVER]

The Fuji GX680 III does this.

 

[L.J.SILVER]

The Fuji GX 680-III does this. Very large camera but if you can get used to it you'll have a rather versatile camera with excellent lenses.

 

[film_man]

I'm pretty sure the Pentax 645NII does that.

 

[RattyMouse]

Fujifilm GA645 and GA645W do this as well.

 

[munz6869]

and the Fuji Ga645zi!

Marc!

 

[Dr Croubie]

And Mamiya 645AF.

 

[Boris Mirkov]

Thank you all for the replies!

 

[Kirks518]

Is this data written on the rebate of the film? Very cool.

 

[ruby.monkey]

The Pentax 645N and 645NII do - the first model, the 645, doesn't. Something to bear in mind.

 

[Jeff Bradford]

Pentax 645N, 645Nii, MZ-S

 

[Photo Engineer]

The Nikon 2020 does this as well, but it is not well known.

PE

 

[LMNOP]

And Mamiya 645AF.

I own a 645AF and have never known this to be the case. Any idea how to activate this feature?

 

[cliveh]

But what purpose does this serve?

 

[Dr Croubie]

I own a 645AF and have never known this to be the case. Any idea how to activate this feature?

It's on page 73 of the manual.

Here's what I get:

Av = aperture priority.
---- = is where the f/ would be written if I used an AF lens, it's blank because I only have MF lenses.
1/20 = shutter speed.
0Ev = EV comp.
AS = Auto-spot metering (not that it matters what I use, it's always spot-metering on MF lenses)
202 = Index number (increments per photo)

But what purpose does this serve?

Actually, the 'index number' is the most useful for general shooting, if you're like me and constantly change backs between B+W and Colour, shoot a few rolls per outing, throw them all in the fridge when you get home and process them in batches a month or six later. Index numbers help you know what order they were shot in, at least, so you can place them better chronologically.
The Ev/Av/Tv and whatever values are mostly good for testing, bracketing etc, like when trying out a new film.

 

[Slixtiesix]

Contax 645 as well.

 

[zanxion72]

A Nikon F-801 with the MF-21 databack can do that as well.

 

[fotch]

Big deal:munch:

 

[Arklatexian]

I saw some MF photos that had f stop and shutter speed written on the side of the negative, any idea what camera that could be?

I don't know about modern cameras (anything since WW2) but most, if not all, of the old Kodak Autographic folders had a place on the camera backs where notes could be written that would show on the negatives. I never owned one so I can't be absolutely certain but that is what I was told in the early 1940s......Regards

 

[480sparky]

I don't know about modern cameras (anything since WW2) but most, if not all, of the old Kodak Autographic folders had a place on the camera backs where notes could be written that would show on the negatives. I never owned one so I can't be absolutely certain but that is what I was told in the early 1940s......Regards

Most did. You can tell they did if there's a little 'door' on the back of the camera about 3/4" x 3". A metal stylus was supplied with the camera that one used to write whatever information was desired. Kodak even manufactured retro-fit backs for versions that were originally made without this feature. However, it really wasn't all that popular.