Fotoman on the street.

Today, I loaded up 12 sheets of tri-x and took the new-to-me Fotoman 4x5 point and shoot out for a walk about. I got lucky, there was a high school marching band contest going on down town...kinda like a parade except all the entries are HS marching bands...Lots of folk...lots of good music. I had six film holders in my bag - which go fast with the Fotoman - so, I didn't stay long. I was somewhat shocked at how much attention the Fotoman drew. I was out for a couple of hours and must have had ten people ask me...what kind of camera is that?, why would you shoot that? is it better than digital? how do you get the photos out? Is it a Polaroid?...and of course, "How many mega pixels is that? - answer: "about 650 mega pixels! "....on and on and on.

I'vegone out with the Crown Graphic many times and not gotten any where near this kind of reaction. With the crown, most people kinda look, seem to recognize it vaguely - maybe as something they saw in a movie or something and then look away...only rarely does somebody actually stop and ask questions or, say something like "my uncle had one of those back in the sixties".....or something really deliciously dumb like, "is that a black and white camera?" (how do you answer that?).

Anyway, despite the harassment, I think that the Fotoman is a keeper. I wish they had put the little dark slide clippies on the back - like the Graphics have. Where do you stow the dark slide once pulled?

I'm gonna put a camera strap on it so it can hang it around my neck next time.

anybody else have any fotoman experiences to share?

here's how i would answer a few of the questions:

Q - "Is it better than digital?"
A - "Only if I have unexposed film with me."

Q - "How many mega pixels is that?"
A - "Depends. How good is your scanner?"

Q - "Is that a black and white camera?"
A - "Depends on whether or not I feel like using toner."

BradS said:

I wish they had put the little dark slide clippies on the back - like the Graphics have. Where do you stow the dark slide once pulled?

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I usually lick it and stick it to my forehead.

JBrunner said:

I usually lick it and stick it to my forehead.

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Please moderators: this is a flippant reply to a question of momentous proportions, and not something to be taken lightly!

A dark slide could be a step forward for Mr. Brunner, if we are to judge from his published headwear, but if the Fotoman is hand held and fired, there is a need for a third hand, a handy place to put it, or a cooperative offsider.

Regards Ross

A rear trouser pocket works. Just don't sit down.
I do like Jason's solution though.

Ross,
It was a good Public Service Announcement. That kind of head gear will deflect wind. With transition of seasons this time of year, it's important to stay warm. Hypothermia is dangerous.

Chris

I think Fred Picker made an apron/belt that had pockets in it for that sort of thing. I was given a photo vest once- what a disaster- couldn't find a damn thing in all those pockets, plus even my mom said I looked silly.

I think the philosophy behind the Fotoman fills a neat niche. With my view cameras everybody always asks me how old they are. Pretty cool for persons to find out they still make biggish film cameras.

The most interesting time for me with my 6x17 Fotoman was at the airport, when the tsa guy asked me to switch it on. I cocked the shutter and let him look through the viewfinder. He said "wow, thats a cool screen" and passed me.

yeah, my accountant bought me one of those nice photographer's vests. It is fun to wear but, I get lost in it...so many pockets.

I just pulled the first six sheets from yesterdays walk about from the fix...all I can say is "Wow!" this is gonna be fun.

Ever shoot a 75mm on 4x5 - handheld? Fun! I can see the crown graphic getting neglected in the near future.

"Ever shoot a 75mm on 4x5 - handheld? Fun! I can see the crown graphic getting neglected in the near future."

Sure, on a crown graphic all the time.

yeah, I've tried the 75mm Super Angulon on the Crown Graphic too...it is a royal pain in the ass compared to shooting with the fotoman.

The 75mm SA is a great lens hand-held I use mine on a Gaoersi 6x17, and focussing using the distance scale is fine. Plenty of DOF at f16.

Ian

Hi Brad, delighted to hear your having so much fun... any chance of you posting some of images on our Fotoman User Gallery?

JBrunner said:

The most interesting time for me with my 6x17 Fotoman was at the airport, when the tsa guy asked me to switch it on. I cocked the shutter and let him look through the viewfinder. He said "wow, thats a cool screen" and passed me.

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LOL I had a very similar experience with my Hassey. I had the winder attached, so I just pretended to turn the camera on by turning the switch to single shot from lock and let him look in the view finder.

Regards, Art.