Folding

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To have a list of folding cameras, see the Category: Folding.

A folding camera is a camera with a bellows that can be folded to hold less size. Not all bellows cameras can be called foldings: the monorail view cameras have a bellows, but they cannot be folded to a more compact size. The more sophisticated press cameras (like the Busch Pressman, see [1]) are both in one: bellows camera (for photographical flexibility) and folding camera (for compactness). That's because the unfolded bellows' geometry can be changed for optimization of the image plane. The better press cameras and some other sophisticated amateur folders have that flexibility that allows making proper reproduction and architecture images.

The common folding cameras don't support more than one working distance of bellows frontside (lens&shutter) to image plane. That reduces the function of the bellows to ordinary making small those cameras for easy camera placement in one's pocket or luggage.

We usually distinguish between three architectures:

  • the folding bed cameras (see Agfa PB 20 for a picture)
    • variation 1: hinged lid to flap down
    • variation 2: hinged lid to flap aside
  • the strut folding cameras (like the Plaubel Makina)
  • the barn door folding cameras (like the Voigtländer Vitessa)

There were foldings in all kinds of format, from 18×24 mm to at least 18×24 cm.

common folding cameras special folding cameras
186689148_48cc1cbc5d_t.jpg
a folding bed camera ...
149845564_a2157dad10_t.jpg
a strut folding camera ...

reserved for ...
97255477_68678572b7_t.jpg
modern Polaroid,
unfolded

reserved for repro camera
186689140_e93cc17e1b_t.jpg
... unfolded, hinged
lid flapped aside
149850818_d8b45e2048_t.jpg
...unfolded

... barn door folder
207294545_fb38bfc6f1_t.jpg
press camera, folded

reserved for other folder

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