Darkslide Module for Fotoman

[Reinhold Schable]

Fotoman Darkslide Module

Changing a lens on a Fotoman in mid-roll without wasting film is not easy.
Working with a darkbag in hot sun or pouring rain is a awkward, to say the least.

Here's a home made darkslide module for my Fotoman 617...
I can change between a Schneider 80mm SS XL or a Fujinon 150 5.6 anytime I like.
It takes me about 30 seconds, out in bright sun or pouring rain.
No grumbling, No wasted film...

On a different note; I masked the camera for a 615 negative size, which I like better than 617.
(615 negatives can be enlarged on 4x5 enlargers).
Here's how I did it...
http://www.classicbwphoto.com/Blog/E...A95E8D0C0.html

Reinhold

www.classicBWphoto.com

[GPS]

Fotoman Darkslide Module
...
Here's a home made darkslide module for my Fotoman 617...
I can change between a Schneider 80mm SS XL or a Fujinon 150 5.6 anytime I like.
It takes me about 30 seconds, out in bright sun or pouring rain.
No grumbling, No wasted film...
...
Reinhold

www.classicBWphoto.com

I like the original solution of the dark slide placement problem. To let it pass through the handle is a nice example of how the weird and impossible for a professional camera builder can be simple and effective for an amateur. Good job.

[Qzone]

Nice Job Reinhold. Very efficient solution. I assume you would have to reset the infinity and focusing on the lense to compensate for the added thickness between the cone and body?

Now pleeeeeaaase make me one for my GX617. ;-)

[Reinhold Schable]

Thanks for the kind words, here's a bit more information...

Yes, the lens must be re-calibrated, but the adjustment was minor.

With the Fotoman it was relatively easy to compensate for the 10 mm thick darkslide module which is solidly fixed to the camera body with stainless steel machine screws..

My 80 mm lens cone originally included a 10 mm adapter/spacer between the body and the cone.
My 150 mm lens cone originally used a 15 mm adapter/spacer.

For the 80 mm lens, the 10 mm darkslide module now takes the place of the original adapter/spacer.
That was easy...
For the 150 mm lens, I replaced the 15 mm adapter/spacer with a newly machined 5 mm adapter/spacer which, when combined with the darkslide module on the body, provided the needed 15 mm space for this lens.

Final calibration for each lens compensated for slight tolerance variations in the new components.

The modular design of the Fotoman made his adaption relatively easy...

Reinhold

www.classicBWphoto.com

[Archphoto]

You shure did a great looking yob, the result of a visionairy mind and the hands to do it.

Congrad's
Peter