Difference between revisions of "Press camera"

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(→‎Intro)
(removed private photo & replaced from CW pool; cleaned up prose & captitalization; added image-author templates)
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4350887727_ee7040ed92.jpg
 
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4350887727_ee7040ed92.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
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|image_text= press photographers with their [[SLR]]s on the polo grounds<ref>press photographers on the polo grounds, by Bain News Service, publisher. {{public domain}}</ref>
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|image_text= Press photographers with their [[SLR]]s on the polo grounds<ref>press photographers on the polo grounds, by Bain News Service, publisher. {{public domain}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
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==Intro==
+
While many types of cameras have been used through history for journalistic photography, certain models are so strongly associated with the role as to have earned the name "press cameras." Typically, ruggedness and speed have been the qualities desired by press photographers.
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'''Press cameras''' are to be divided in several classes:
 
  
−
'''1'''. Versatile collapsible medium to large format [[folding camera]]s with three finders: optical viewfinder, rangefinder and sportsfinder. Image format is typically but not necessarily 4x5 inch. Rollfilm holders can be exchanged midroll to enable exposures on plates instead. The cameras have [[view camera]] qualities, including front plate shifts and tilts. The cameras are combinable with professional flashes. Lenses are exchangeable. Some have a big grip.
+
==Press camera varieties==
 +
'''Press cameras''' can be divided into several classes:
  
−
'''2'''. Sophisticated [[folding|strut folding]] cameras which are due to their construction not as versatile.
+
'''1'''. The [[Graflex Speed Graphic]] may be the most iconic press camera: A versatile collapsible medium-to-large format [[folding camera]]. These may be focused with either a coupled rangefinder or (for more careful work) with a [[ground glass]] back. In addition to an optical viewfinder, a simple frame sportsfinder is available for quickly composing a shot. The image format is most commonly 4&times;5 inches, but sometimes smaller. Rollfilm holders can be exchanged midroll to enable exposures on plates instead. The cameras have [[view camera]] qualities, including front standard shifts and tilts. The cameras were often used together with professional-grade [[flashbulb|bulb]] flash guns which also served as a large handgrip. Lens boards are interchangeable. [[Burke & James]], [[Busch]] and other smaller firms offered models that followed a similar body style.
  
−
'''3'''. Rigid body [[rangefinder camera]]s with superb exchangeable [[lens]]es and a big grip.
+
'''2'''. Sophisticated [[folding|strut folding]] cameras which, however are not as versatile due to their construction.
  
−
'''4'''. A [[SLR]] or a Digital SLR camera of a robust quality together with fast good lenses, electrical film winder, camera grip with additional batteries inside and professional flash.
+
'''3'''. Rigid body [[rangefinder camera]]s with superb interchangeable [[lens]]es and a large handgrip.
  
−
'''5'''. Any [[camera]] except low quality [[toy camera]]s can be used by pressmen to document situations. Of course most smaller or simpler cameras will have limitations that would reduce the quality or even the usability of the imaging results.
+
'''4'''. A [[SLR]] or a Digital SLR camera of a robust quality; together with [[Lens#Lens Speed|fast]] lenses, motorized film winder, camera grip with additional batteries, and professional flash.
  
−
Of course this article is mainly about type 1, 2, 3 and 4.
+
'''5'''. Any [[camera]] can be used by press photographers to document situations<REF>An image of Al Gore by photojournalist David Burnett taken with a [[Holga]] won a top prize in a 2001 White House News Photographers' contest[http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/technology/circuits/08schiesel.html "Which Camera Does This Pro Use? It Depends on the Shot"] by By Seth Schiesel, June 8, 2005 [http://www.nytimes.com/ New York Times].</REF>. Of course most smaller or simpler cameras will have limitations that would reduce the quality or even the usability of the imaging results.
 +
 
 +
This article is mainly about type 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  
 
{|
 
{|
 
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/captkodak/271862417/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/captkodak/271862417/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/271862417_59aec9b744_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/271862417_59aec9b744_m.jpg
 
|image_align=  
 
|image_align=  
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|image_text= '''1'''. press camera classic of [[Graflex]]<ref>press camera classic of Graflex, image by Capt Kodak {{non-commercial}}</ref>
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|image_text= '''1'''. Classic press camera by [[Graflex]]<ref>Graflex, image by {{image author|Steve Harwood}} {{non-commercial}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
||
 
||
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/322091506/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/322091506/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/322091506_e1fbb6ca6b_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/322091506_e1fbb6ca6b_m.jpg
 
|image_align=  
 
|image_align=  
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|image_text= '''2'''. [[Minolta]]'s prewar press camera<ref>Minolta's prewar press camera, image by Jay Tepper {{with permission}}</ref>
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|image_text= '''2'''. [[Minolta]]'s prewar press camera<ref>Minolta's prewar press camera, image courtesy Jay Tepper {{with permission}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
||
 
||
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/erichz/1906608420/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/erichz/1906608420/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/1906608420_77cf704543_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/1906608420_77cf704543_m.jpg
 
|image_align=  
 
|image_align=  
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|image_text= '''3'''. [[Mamiya]]'s press camera<ref>Mamiya's press camera, image by Erich Z {{with permission}}</ref>
+
|image_text= '''3'''. [[Mamiya]]'s press camera<ref>Mamiya's press camera, image by {{image author|Erich Z}} {{with permission}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
|-
 
|-
 
||
 
||
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rst90274/262897090/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rst90274/262897090/in/pool-camerawiki
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/262897090_8464b230aa_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/262897090_8464b230aa_m.jpg
 
|image_align=  
 
|image_align=  
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|image_text= '''4'''. original pressman's [[SLR]]<ref>original pressman's SLR, image by rst12 {{with permission}}</ref>
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|image_text= '''4'''. Press favorite Nikon [[SLR]]<ref>Nikon SLR, image by {{image author|rst12}} {{with permission}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
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|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/495841147_1bdde050bf_m.jpg
 
|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/495841147_1bdde050bf_m.jpg
 
|image_align=  
 
|image_align=  
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|image_text= popular [[SLR]] equipped as press camera<ref>popular SLR equipped as press camera, image by Tim Williams {{non-commercial}}</ref>
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|image_text= '''4'''. Popular [[SLR]] equipped as press camera<ref>Olympus SLR equipped as press camera, image by {{image author|Tim Williams}} {{non-commercial}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ingleites/194270831/in/pool-camerapedia/
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/raulm/3333817402/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/194270831_ca64420b4c_m.jpg
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3333817402_6bf23eaf29_m.jpg
 
|image_align=  
 
|image_align=  
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|image_text= '''5'''. this camera helped to stop Vietnam war<ref>the camera that helped to stop Vietnam war, image by I moved {{non-commercial}}</ref>
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|image_text= '''5'''. Rugged Leica, capturing wars and<br/>protests of the 50s and 60s<ref>Leica M3, image by {{image author|Raúl Sá Dantas }} {{with permission}} </ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
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==Press camera makers==
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==Camera manufacturers==
 
{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2162646403/
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2162646403/
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|image_text= "Germany" Schaefer, baseball star with a press photographer's [[SLR]]<ref>"Germany" Schaefer, baseball star with a press photographer's camera, by Bain News Service, publisher. {{public domain}}</ref>
 
|image_text= "Germany" Schaefer, baseball star with a press photographer's [[SLR]]<ref>"Germany" Schaefer, baseball star with a press photographer's camera, by Bain News Service, publisher. {{public domain}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
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===class 1===
+
===Class 1===
 
*[[Bertram Kamera|Bertram]]
 
*[[Bertram Kamera|Bertram]]
 
*[[Burke & James]]
 
*[[Burke & James]]
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*[[Riley]]
 
*[[Riley]]
 
*[[Vidmar]]
 
*[[Vidmar]]
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===class 2===
+
===Class 2===
 
*[[Gaumont]]
 
*[[Gaumont]]
 
*[[Minolta]]
 
*[[Minolta]]
 
*[[Plaubel]]
 
*[[Plaubel]]
 
*[[Soho]]
 
*[[Soho]]
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===class 3===
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===Class 3===
 
*[[Linhof]]
 
*[[Linhof]]
 
*[[Mamiya]]
 
*[[Mamiya]]
−
===class 4===
+
===Class 4===
−
*any maker of sophisticated [[SLR]]s
+
*Any maker of sophisticated [[SLR]]s; but most prominently and with the widest range of accessories:
−
===class 5===
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*[[Nikon]]
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*any maker of [[camera]]s except some plastic camera makers
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*[[Canon]]
 +
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 00:09, 30 August 2011

4350887727_ee7040ed92.jpg
Press photographers with their SLRs on the polo grounds[1]

While many types of cameras have been used through history for journalistic photography, certain models are so strongly associated with the role as to have earned the name "press cameras." Typically, ruggedness and speed have been the qualities desired by press photographers.

Press camera varieties

Press cameras can be divided into several classes:

1. The Graflex Speed Graphic may be the most iconic press camera: A versatile collapsible medium-to-large format folding camera. These may be focused with either a coupled rangefinder or (for more careful work) with a ground glass back. In addition to an optical viewfinder, a simple frame sportsfinder is available for quickly composing a shot. The image format is most commonly 4×5 inches, but sometimes smaller. Rollfilm holders can be exchanged midroll to enable exposures on plates instead. The cameras have view camera qualities, including front standard shifts and tilts. The cameras were often used together with professional-grade bulb flash guns which also served as a large handgrip. Lens boards are interchangeable. Burke & James, Busch and other smaller firms offered models that followed a similar body style.

2. Sophisticated strut folding cameras which, however are not as versatile due to their construction.

3. Rigid body rangefinder cameras with superb interchangeable lenses and a large handgrip.

4. A SLR or a Digital SLR camera of a robust quality; together with fast lenses, motorized film winder, camera grip with additional batteries, and professional flash.

5. Any camera can be used by press photographers to document situations[2]. Of course most smaller or simpler cameras will have limitations that would reduce the quality or even the usability of the imaging results.

This article is mainly about type 1, 2, 3 and 4.

271862417_59aec9b744_m.jpg
1. Classic press camera by Graflex[3]
322091506_e1fbb6ca6b_m.jpg
2. Minolta's prewar press camera[4]
1906608420_77cf704543_m.jpg
3. Mamiya's press camera[5]
262897090_8464b230aa_m.jpg
4. Press favorite Nikon SLR[6]
495841147_1bdde050bf_m.jpg
4. Popular SLR equipped as press camera[7]
3333817402_6bf23eaf29_m.jpg
5. Rugged Leica, capturing wars and
protests of the 50s and 60s[8]

Camera manufacturers

2162646403_fcbbe516d3.jpg
"Germany" Schaefer, baseball star with a press photographer's SLR[9]

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

  • Any maker of sophisticated SLRs; but most prominently and with the widest range of accessories:
  • Nikon
  • Canon


References

  1. ↑ press photographers on the polo grounds, by Bain News Service, publisher. (Image rights)
  2. ↑ An image of Al Gore by photojournalist David Burnett taken with a Holga won a top prize in a 2001 White House News Photographers' contest"Which Camera Does This Pro Use? It Depends on the Shot" by By Seth Schiesel, June 8, 2005 New York Times.
  3. ↑ Graflex, image by Steve Harwood (Image rights)
  4. ↑ Minolta's prewar press camera, image courtesy Jay Tepper (Image rights)
  5. ↑ Mamiya's press camera, image by Erich Z (Image rights)
  6. ↑ Nikon SLR, image by rst12 (Image rights)
  7. ↑ Olympus SLR equipped as press camera, image by Tim Williams (Image rights)
  8. ↑ Leica M3, image by Raúl Sá Dantas (Image rights)
  9. ↑ "Germany" Schaefer, baseball star with a press photographer's camera, by Bain News Service, publisher. (Image rights)
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