A field camera is a
view camera
A view camera is a large format, large-format camera in which the large format lens, lens forms an erect image, inverted image on a ground glass, ground-glass screen directly at the film plane. The image is viewed, composed, and focused, then the ...
that can be folded in a compact size. Modern designs are little different from the first folding field cameras from the 19th century. In general they have more limited
camera movements than
monorail camera
Monorail cameras are view cameras with lens mount, bellows, and interchangeable viewing and film backs all fitted along a rigid rail along which they can slide until locked into position.
They can take sheet film in large sizes, and since the ad ...
s, but when folded are relatively compact and portable.
Modern field cameras originate from the early interlocking box cameras of the 19th century. Rather than the wooden box used in 19th-century cameras, modern models substitute bellows to reduce the bulk of the cameras and make them easier to use outside the studio.
Although they have less flexibility than
monorail camera
Monorail cameras are view cameras with lens mount, bellows, and interchangeable viewing and film backs all fitted along a rigid rail along which they can slide until locked into position.
They can take sheet film in large sizes, and since the ad ...
s, modern field cameras tend to have most camera movements for the front standard, i.e. lens rise/fall/shift/tilt/swing, but are usually more limited in back movements, sometimes having only tilt/swing.
They usually use
sheet film
Sheet film is large format and Medium format (film), medium format photographic film supplied on individual sheets of acetate or polyester film base rather than rolls. Sheet film was initially supplied as an alternative to Photographic_plate, glas ...
, in sizes from 6x9cm (2.4×3.6") to 20×24 inches (e.g., the
Polaroid 20×24 camera
The Polaroid 20×24 camera is a very large instant camera made by Polaroid Corporation, with film plates that measure a nominal , giving the camera its name, although at least one camera takes pictures that are .
Design
The Polaroid 20×24 is one ...
), but the most popular "standard" sizes are 4×5 and 8×10 inches. They are usually used by photographers who need the larger negative sizes and the portability.
See also
*
Silvestri
*
Linhof
*
Deardorff
*
Vageeswari
External links
Field cameras of the United Statesan in depth look at field cameras from the 19th and 20th century.
Field camera
A field camera is a view camera that can be folded in a compact size. Modern designs are little different from the first folding field cameras from the 19th century. In general they have more limited View camera#Movements, camera movements than ...
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