CAMERAS

camera is the image-forming device, and a photographic plate, photographic film or a silicon electronic
image sensor is the capture medium. The respective recording medium can be the plate or film itself, or
a digital magnetic or electronic memory.

TYPES OF CAMERA ;You can classify cameras into the following four groups by the way they are focused.
1. Rangefinder and view finder cameras: Rangefinder and viewfinder cameras have a ‘viewfinder’
through which the picture is framed. The rangefinder differs from the viewfinder in that it has a double
image created Photography: An Introduction NOTES Self-Instructional Material 5 through the use of
mirrors. We refer to this as a split-image. When the two images line up (are superimposed), the camera
is in focus.

2. Miniature cameras: Miniature cameras are twin lens cameras that have two look-alike lenses, hence
the name ‘twin lens’. The scene before the camera, while being viewed through the top lens, is actually
photographed through the bottom lens. As the picture is focused through the top lens, the bottom lens
is adjusted at the same time.

3. Medium format camera: A folding, or medium format camera is a camera that can be folded to a
compact and rugged package when not in use. The camera objective is sometimes attached to a
pantograph-like mechanism, in which the lid usually is a component. The objective extends to give
correct focus when unfolded. A cloth or leather bellows keeps the light out. When folded, the camera
has an excellent physical size to film size ratio. This feature was very appealing when the only film
formats available were large or medium format films. These cameras are also known as bellows
cameras.

4. Large format cameras: The Single Lens Reflex (SLR) uses a series of mirrors so that one can view the
scene to be photographed through the same lens that takes the picture. When the shutter release is
depressed, the lower mirror snaps up, the picture is taken, and the mirror returns to its original position,
hence, a ‘reflex’ action. When the picture is taken, the viewfinder is blackened for a split second.

Nowadays, cameras come in many different forms. These camera types include film cameras, compact
digital cameras, DSLRs, action cameras and many more. It becomes easy to differentiate between the
cameras once you find out more about each of them, what they’re best for, and what their pros and
cons are. Some of the types of cameras are as follows:  Compact Digital Cameras  Digital SLR Cameras
 Mirrorless Cameras  Action Cameras  360 Cameras  Film Camera

1. SINGLE LENS REFLEX(SLR)

The single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is one of the simplest cameras to use and offers an extreme flexibility
for advanced users or beginners to photography. Single lens reflex derives from a camera that uses a
mirror system built in the camera that permits the user to see exactly what will be captured by the film
or digital system. This is of great significance because most other camera systems (without digital backs)
do not permit you to view exactly what will be captured. As such, these other systems may reveal a
different image other than the one you attempted to capture if you don’t compensate correctly.
With twin lens reflex and rangefinder cameras, the viewed image could be significantly different from
the final image. Allow expert photographers to change lenses and choose the right lens for the given
shooting situation.
Use of an SLR Camera

The light from the object enters through the lens at the front and is refracted onto a slanted mirror,
between the shutter and lens, placed at a 45 degree angle, which then reflects the light (according to
the laws of reflection) up to a pentaprism(The pentaprism then converts the vertical light to horizontal
by redirecting the light through two separate mirrors, right into the viewfinder). Like a projection screen,
this arrangement causes the image to be reflected off the lower mirror on to the translucent glass, and
the prism creates the image onto the screen so it appears the correct way. The light strikes at the critical
angle causing total internal reflection, and the image formed is redirected on to the viewfinder window,
allowing you to see exactly what you are taking a picture of.

When you click the shutter button to take the picture, the mirror flips up and the shutter opens exposing
the plate to light, allowing a picture to be taken. Since the mirror is connected to the shutter timer
system, it stays closed as long as the shutter is open. This explains why the viewfinder is suddenly
blacked out when you take a picture. The shutter opens up and the light reaches the image sensor . The
shutter remains open for as long as needed for the image sensor to record the image, then the shutter
closes and the reflex mirror drops back to the 45 degree angle to continue redirecting the light into the
viewfinder.

Obviously, the process doesn’t stop there. Next, a lot of complicated image processing happens on the
camera. The camera processor takes the information from the image sensor, converts it into an
appropriate format, and then writes it to a memory card. The whole process takes very little time and
some professional DSLRs can do this 11+ times in one second!

Image showing working of DSLR camera

twin-lens reflex camera;The camera uses two lenses of equal focal length(top,bottom), one for viewing
and focusing and the other for taking the photograph; reflex refers to the mirror used behind the
viewing lens that makes focusing possible. The great commercial successes among TLR designs have
been the 6×6 cm designs that flourished from the 1930s to the 1950s, but TLR designs long predated
these. (fixed lens and are two)

The 35-mm miniature camera

Perforated 35-millimetre (mm) film (originally standard motion-picture film) in cartridges holding 12 to
36 exposures with a nominal picture format of 24 × 36 mm is employed in miniature cameras. Smaller
image formats down to 18 × 24 mm (half frame) may be used. The 35-mm camera has a lens with a range
of apertures and a shutter with exposure times typically from one second to 1/1,000 second or shorter, and it
can focus on subject distances from infinity down to five feet or less. A winding lever or built-in motor
advances the film from one frame to the next and at the same time tensions (cocks) the shutter for each
exposure. At the end of the film load the film is rewound into the cartridge for removal from the camera
in daylight.

A 35-mm camera usually has a direct-vision viewfinder, often combined with a rangefinder or autofocus
system for accurate distance settings. Most current versions incorporate a light meter coupled with the
exposure settings on the camera. Advanced models may have interchangeable lenses and an extended
accessory system. Many 35-mm cameras are single-lens reflex types (see below).

The ultraminiature or subminiature

This camera takes narrow roll film (16-mm or 9.5-mm) in special cartridges or film disks. The picture
size ranges from 8 × 10 mm to 13 × 17 mm. These formats are used for making millions of snapshooting
pocket-size cameras; special versions may be as small as a matchbox for unobtrusive use.

The view, or technical, camera

For studio and commercial photography the view, or technical, camera takes single exposures on sheet
films (formerly plates) usually between 4 × 5 inches and 8 × 10 inches. A front standard carries
interchangeable lenses and shutters; a rear standard takes a ground-glass screen (for viewing and
focusing) and sheet-film holders. The standards move independently on a rail or set of rails and are
connected by bellows. Both standards can also be displaced laterally and vertically relative to each other’s
centre and swung or tilted about horizontal and vertical axes. These features provide versatility in image
control (sharpness distribution, subject distance, and perspective), though not speed in use. The view
camera is nearly always mounted on a tripod.

The medium-size hand camera

This type of camera takes sheet film (typical formats of from 21/2 × 31/2 inches to 4 × 5 inches), roll film,
or 70-mm film in interchangeable magazines; it has interchangeable lenses and may have a coupled
rangefinder. Special types use wide-angle lenses and wide picture formats (e.g., 21/4 × 41/2 to 21/4 ×
63/4 inches [6 × 12 to 6 × 17 centimetres]). The medium-size hand camera was popular with press
photographers in the first half of the 20th century. Older versions had folding bellows and a lens standard
on an extendable baseboard or strut system. Modern modular designs have a rigid body with
interchangeable front and rear units.

The folding roll-film camera

The folding roll-film camera, now rare, resembles the 35-mm miniature camera in shutter and viewfinder
equipment but has bellows and folds up to pocketable size when not in use. Generally it takes roll films
holding eight to 16 exposures; typical picture sizes are 21/4 × 21/4, 21/4 × 31/4, or 13/4 × 21/4 inches. Some
35-mm cameras were also produced with bellows.