4 TYPES OF CAMERAS

PHOTO II

Mrs. Kampf

View Camera• Built like an

accordion with the lens at front and viewing screen at back.

• Lens moves forwards and backwards to focus.

View Camera first developed in the era of

the daguerreotype (1840s-'50s)

Light comes directly through the lens to the viewing screen

Photographers sees exactly what will be on the negative

Grid for composition Reversed and upside down Sheet film (large format)

View Camera (ADVANTAGES)

Photographer will see exactly what will be on the negative

No parallax error Viewing screen is very large Film size is also large Sharp detail in large pictures

Parallax error

Viewfinder and lens see two different things.

View Camera (DISADVANTAGES)

Bulky Must use tripod Image projected on viewing screen is not

very bright Cloth over head Image appears upside down and reversed

on the viewing screen

(1870 – 1960) Two lenses with same focal length One of the lenses is the photographic

objective or "taking lens" (the lens that takes the picture), while the other is used for the viewfinder system, which is usually viewed from above at waist level

Twin Lens Reflex

Twin Lens Reflex

1929

1950s

1870s

Twin Lens Reflex

Uses a fixed mirror to reflect upward onto viewing screen

120 mm film (roll)

Twin Lens Reflex (ADVANTAGES)

Simple, rugged construction Quiet operation Convenient accurate composition

Twin Lens Reflex (DISADVANTAGES) Parallax error Cumbersome for candid work Lenses are not interchangeable

Viewfinder/Rangefinder

1930s to 1970s 35 mm

roll film Separate viewing and picture taking

lenses

Viewfinder/Rangefinder

Viewfinder/Rangefinder(ADVANTAGES) Inexpensive Smallest and simplest to operate No moving parts to break down Excellent focusing and at low light levels

Viewfinder/Rangefinder(DISADVANTAGES) Parallax error (different viewing and

picture taking lenses) Useless for carefully composed close up

work Images are small and difficult to focus.

Single Lens Reflex

1884 -1933 – today Uses a mirror and prism to view through the

picture taking lens Uses the lens for composing and focusing. Best

way to take a photo. No reversed or inversed image 35 mm roll film Change lenses

Single Lens Reflex

1976 to 1997

Single Lens Reflex (ADVANTAGES)

Mirror and prism allows photographer to compose picture through the camera lens

No parallax error Easily and quickly focused Works well with all lenses

Single Lens Reflex (DISADVANTAGES) Heavier and less compact More complex parts so more liable to

break down Noisy (because of moving mirror) Finding the critical point of focus under

poor lighting conditions is often difficult.