Unit One Unit One Unit One Unit One ---- Lesson 1 Lesson 1 Lesson 1 Lesson 1 ---- Types of Cameras Types of Cameras Types of Cameras Types of Cameras Name: _______________ Name: _______________ Name: _______________ Name: _______________

What is the best type of camera?

For occasional snapshots of family and friends, an inexpensive, completely automatic, non adjustable camera that you just point and shoot will probably be satisfactory. But if you have become interested enough in photography to learn more about how to make better images you will want an adjustable camera that has a manual setting because it will give you more creative controls. Some cameras will offer both automatic and manual controls. Cameras can be divided into fourfourfourfour groups by the way they are focused. 1) Viewfinder cameras have a "viewfinder" through which the picture is framed. Because the viewing system is in a different position from the lens that exposes the film, you do not see exactly what the lens sees. This parallaxparallaxparallaxparallax, or difference between the viewfinder image and

the lens image increases as objects come closer to the camera. Most cameras of this type have a fixed lens and use 35mm film or smaller. Viewfinder cameras are fast, reliable, quiet in operation and relatively small in size. Viewfinder cameras can be both film and digital.

2) Twin-lens reflex (TLR) cameras have two look-alike lenses, hence the name "twin lens." One lens is used for viewing the scene and another just below it exposes the film. A main advantage of this camera type is that it uses relatively large film (2 1/4 inch square) which can create finer images. A secondary advantage it is a good "candid" camera because the photographer looks down into it to frame the image instead of targeting through their eye. Its disadvantages are parallax (one lens for looking and the other for photo) and that the image in the viewfinder is reversed left to right. The TLR was mostly displaced by the SLR (single lens reflex) and then made pretty much obsolete by the digital medium.

3) The View camera is easily identifiable by its characteristic bellows. The bellows are the accordion like body that connects the lens to the rest of the camera. But it is important to remember that it is focused on the frosted glass at the back of the camera, before the film pack (or plate) is inserted. The camera's most valuable feature is its adjustability: the camera's parts can be moved in relation to each other, which lets you alter perspective and sharpness to suit each scene. You can change lenses, and even the camera's back to hold various film types or even a digital sensor. Because this camera uses a larger film size (4x5 inches and up) images made from this camera show extremely sharp detail even in a big print. (Some view cameras even accept digital backs that are in the 40 megapixel range)

View cameras are slow and rather inconvenient to use compared to smaller hand held cameras. They are large and heavy and must be used on a tripod. The image on the viewing screen is upside down and backwards, and is usually so dim that you have to put a focusing cloth over your head and screen to see the image clearly.

4) The Single Lens Reflex (SLRs & dSLRs) show you the image you are taking directly through the lens. This allows you to preview what will be recorded on the film/sensor. Through the lens viewing is a definite advantage for close-ups or any work when you want an exact view of a scene. Interchangeable lenses for SLRs are

available in many focal lengths (wide angle to telephoto). These cameras come in fully automatic models to fully manual. Most film

SLRs use 35mm film and digital SLRs have larger sensors than regular point and push digital cameras (giving you a better image). SLRs are very popular, among both professionals, such as photojournalists and non-professionals who want to move beyond snapshots.

Unit 1 – Lesson 1 - Types of Cameras Name: _____________ 1) What basic imaging tools are mentioned in the first article? - - - - - - 2) What are the four types basic types of cameras? 1) ___________________________ 2) ___________________________ 3) ___________________________ 4) ___________________________ 3) Identify the main aspects/characteristics/advantages/disadvantages of ! a) viewfinders _____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ b) view cameras_____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ c) twin-lens reflex ___________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 4) What are the main advantages or features of a SLR? Why is this a good camera? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 5) What other types of cameras can you think of? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 6) What kind of camera(s) do you have at home? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________