This page has info picked up from other sources on the Internet. The Fotron in question is, as stated, apparently complete except for its manual ($12 + shipping from Glencamera). The battery recharger may work, but it runs very hot and was disconnected after a few hours to avoid the risk of burning out the camera's electronics. The leather of the case is complete except for typical rubbing and some wear.
You probably have the darkroom skills needed to reload and then develop the bizarre Traid film cartridge, but as far as I know, Traid is no longer in business or, at least, no longer supporting the Fotron and Fotron III film cartridges.
A Brownie and a Swinger were also offered, but the Brownie had a repaired crack and the Swinger was incomplete. Another, collapsible camera, had no case or supporting documents. The Fotron was the "pick of the litter." Pricetag? That autographed picture I've been begging yer mum to get me for the last two years, and pix and info and stuff to update your sadly out-of-date fan page, ideally a short greeting to your fans to upload as streaming video (no black nail polish, please!). A photographer friend with a nice house in the Franklin Hills has agreed to the loan of his house for the trade-off, and he will probably throw in dinner if you give him an autographed photo, too. (His autograph collection is unbelievable, and you might even be interested in seeing it.)
Interested? UTA has the number to call.
Fotron Camera by Traid Corporation, Encino, California
From Manfred Schmidt:
Fotron Fotron III - Very unusual US made camera, one cassette, charge cord, large case, excellent ++ ....$80.00
In Joe's Camera Collection:
Traid Corporation Fotron III c. 1960's 1 with film cartridge
Fotron Literature #10801. Promotional: (Fotron) ...for People who Love Pictures (But Hate Photography) 12-panel fully illus. foldout; approx. 3x5-1/2". This is for the Traid Corp. automatic camera. Literature is probably scarcer than the camera. EX. $10.00
*-*-TRAID-*-*
#ZZZ-123 (Traid) Fotron Electronic Camera {Manual} $15.00
#ZZZ-334 (Traid) Fotron III Electronic Camera{Manual} $15.00
DAISY AND G. F. SNYDER PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT COLLECTION INVENTORY
collection F 001
circa 189- - 1977
40 linear shelf feet (approximately 800 items)
in 26 record storage boxes, 6 document cases, 2 large metal boxes, and 5 unboxed oversize items arranged and described by Todd Ellison and Daniel E. Hart (revised April 13, 1998)
CENTER OF SOUTHWEST STUDIES
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE
Durango, CO 81301
This inventory is sold by the Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301-3999, at the charge of 15¢ per page, prepaid.
We can also make it available in electronic format on a 3*" DOS-formatted diskette for a charge of $5.00 plus s/h, for use only with designated research.
© 1998 by Fort Lewis College Foundation, Center of Southwest Studies account
This collection contains historically significant photographic equipment that Homer Hastings gathered over many years. It represents a broad span of photographic history, and includes cameras, accessories, manuals, viewing equipment, and instructions brochures and other literature regarding the collection. The cameras range in date from before the turn of the century to the 1970s, representing some of the earliest equipment and the beginnings of some modern models. Items range in size from small items to a developer that is several feet long.
As Mr. Hastings noted in his offer of the collection to the College in 1977, "a few of the items are quite rare and all were selected to fit a pattern...." Hastings purchased some of the items; others were given to him. He numbered and cataloged the equipment himself (see copies of his catalog cards in the appendix). He donated most of the artifacts in May and November of 1977, and made additional donations that November and December, in August of 1978, September and November of 1979, August and November of 1981, January of 1982, May and June of 1983, April of 1984, and October of 1994. For many years (until about 1990), many of the items were on display in the conference room at the Center of Southwest Studies. In the fall of 1994 FLC student museum/archives intern Dan Hart re-boxed the collection archivally, using protective inert materials to extend its life and placing similar items together according to the arrangement scheme devised by the donor with the advice of the Southwest Studies Center's former director Robert W. Delaney. An exemplary compilation of equipment, the Snyder Photographic Equipment Collection exhibits a cross-section of the development of cameras and processes through the years.
810102 Fotron III snapload magazine electronic rigid camera. Made by Traid Corp. (Glendale, Calif.). Serial No. 171559. Black plastic with a battery powered automatic film advance mechanism and hand carrying strap. For 10 color exposures. With flash. This model was produced between 1964 and 1971. Apparently the necessary film cartridge was only sold by Traid. In side-zippered black leather cowhide case, red velvety interior, with leather shoulder strap (a) and photocopied operating instructions (b)(in section 3.5.1,
which is in box 35 folder 5). {this specimen is also referenced by accession #810802} See Homer Hastings' related 1980 correspondence in box 35, folder 1.
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