Camera Types Summary - *All of the below can be a digital camera
1. Pinhole - this is like the Camera Obscura…just a light tight box with a hole and cover as a shutter. Matchbox Pinhole Camera
a. Advantages: Easy to use, inexpensive…can make from home materials, Artsy view of subjects (impressionistic)
b. Disadvantages: No controls, low pictures quality
2. Viewfinder- Uses a separate window for viewing as the lens for taking the picture.
a. Advantages: Easy to use, “point and shoot” cameras, focus free, small compact cameras
b. Disadvantages: Few controls…no creative picture control, low picture quality with the cheaper cameras (especially disposable with plastic parts)
3. Single Lens Reflex- SLR. The Pentax K1000 is an SLR. Viewing and exposure is done through the same lens (TTL).
a. Advantages: TTL is best way to acquire images spontaneously, with no parallax error, TTL light metering, usually have a wide variety of interchangeable lenses, a variety of controlled adjustments with a wide range of shutter speeds, exposure assisted by a CPU
b. Disadvantages: Frequently have complicated controls, larger camera size, bulky when carrying extra lenses, shutter and mirror reflex system tends to be noisy
4. Twin Lens Reflex- Uses two lenses synchronized for viewing and exposure.
a. Advantages: Larger film size for high quality enlargements, TTL focusing due to the viewing and taking lenses being tied together, critical focus magnifier to give extra image detail, image always visible in viewfinder, even when the shutter is activated, convenience of both waist-level and eye level “shooting”.
b. Disadvantages: Lots of controls, large sized camera, many models do not have interchangeable lenses, image laterally reversed from left-to-right in the waist level viewfinder, some parallax error.
5. View- Large format camera that allows for control of the focal plane, especially for use for landscape and architecture.
a. Advantages: Allows for perspective and distortion control of landscapes and architecture, large film size allows for very large prints (poster sized), variety of special-use attachments, directly viewing of the image TTL, wide selection of lenses
b. Disadvantages: Lots of controls, VERY large sized and heavy camera, most models require the use of a tripod, image difficult to see on viewing glass, takes considerable time to set up and use, image lost on viewing glass after film holder is inserted, photographer needs to know when and how to use the four standard movements.
Outside website listing out the Types of Cameras
http://www.ted.photographer.org.uk/camera_types.htm - Good illustrations of types of cameras.
Pictures of Camera Types:
View Finder
SLR (Digital)
