What if you own a Fotoman panoramic film camera and need to replace the lens? A decade ago, you could have contacted Fotoman Camera directly to order the necessary cone, helical focusing mount, spacers, and screws–or even sent in your lens for a complete installation. Unfortunately, that’s no longer an option. The original Fotoman Camera has been defunct for years, and any entity operating under a similar name today is not the same company. While Fotoman parts occasionally appear on auction sites, they are rare, and availability is unreliable.
Fotman cameras are exceptionally well-built and straightforward, capable of lasting a lifetime with proper care. I once purchased a new 6×17 panoramic camera from a different brand, hoping for a similar experience, but ultimately returned it due to its inferior build quality compared to the Fotoman 6×17. Years ago, I sold my original Fotoman 6×17 with two lenses–a decision I came to regret. I promised myself that once I retired and had more time to shoot 6×17 film panoramas, a format I deeply enjoy, I would find another.
In late 2023, I came across a used Fotoman 6×17 in excellent condition, already set up for a 90mm lens—the exact configuration I wanted. It came with a Fujinon SW 90mm f/8, a sharp lens, but its narrow maximum aperture made focusing on the ground glass more challenging than I prefer. Fortunately, I already had a Nikkor SW 90mm f/4.5, which better suites my needs. In this article, I’ll walk through the process of swapping the lenses, and in part two, I’ll cover the calibration process and share test images taken with the Nikkor on the Fotoman.
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The Steps Outlined Below:
1. Lens Options
2. Remove Existing Lens
3. Compare Old & New Lens Sizes
4. Install New Lens
5. Infinity Focus
1. Lens Options for Fotoman 6×17
[ Usable Lens Chart for FOTOMAN 6×17 Cameras ]
2. Remove Fujinon Lens
My original Fotoman two-lens kit included Rodenstock 90mm and 180mm lenses in Copal shutters, so I had no prior experience with Seiko or proprietary Fotoman retaining rings. Fortunately, I have a lens spanner wrench (similar to this), and with some careful finessing, I managed to remove the lens without issue. However, the tool I used wasn’t designed explicitly for a Seiko or Fotoman retaining ring, so if you opt for a similar approach, proceed with caution.
The biggest challenge was the length and narrowing of the cone, which made loosening the tightened ring particularly difficult. But with patience and persistence, I was eventually able to remove it.
3. Compare Lens Sizes
Think of the lens cone and spacers like bellows extension—lens length affects the amount of extension needed to achieve infinity focus. Once the Nikkor SW 90mm f/4.5 is installed, I’ll need to check the ground glass to determine whether infinity focus can be achieved with or without the spacer.
4. Install Nikkor Lens
5. New Screws & Infinity Focus Achieved
If I ever decide to expand my 6×17 film photography to multiple lenses, I’d likely invest in a 6×17 field camera like the Shen Hao. However, for now, I prefer sticking to a single lens, and the Fotoman remains my ideal choice, as it aligns with my preference for simplicity.
With enough research, I’m sure replacement screws with a knob-style head—similar to the originals—could be found, but I don’t need them. I’ve bagged and stored the spacer and original screws for now. I may eventually sell them if someone else can make use of them, but at the moment, I’m simply enjoying having the lens I want on my Fotoman 6×17.
With the lens cone securely reattached without the spacer, I checked the ground glass and confirmed that infinity focus was once again achieved!
In part two, I’ll walk through the process of calibrating the lens scale for hyperfocal distance focusing and share images made with the newly installed Nikkor lens.