WHAT TYPE OF CAMERA DO YOU NEED ? Photography
By W. R. AYLING
I AM often asked to advise on the purchase of a new or second- hand camera, and this presents more difficulty than is generally imagined. There is little to choose between one well-known manufacturer's apparatus and that of the next, but there is a wide divergence of opinion on size of camera and type. Prices, too, range over a large scale. First, let it be understood that good pictures can be taken with a box camera costing five shillings. Sixty or seventy pounds can also be paid for one camera, without accessories. In certain circumstances, and taking a perfectly straightforward photograph in the open air, a contact print of the one will be almost as good as that taken with the other. It is when circumstances are all against the photographer that the costly apparatus scores. A low-priced box camera works at an aperture of about fir I whilst some of the high-priced miniatures work at f/3.5. The latter haVe the power to record scenes where the box camera would- fail to show anything at all, even if the same type and speed of film are used. The shutter on a simple box type of camera is often restricted to one or two speeds and it is seldom that these are marked according to accurate measurement. It can be accepted that all cameras costing over about £5 are, marked for speeds in fractions of a second and sometimes for one or more seconds. Though these speeds are not often sufficiently accurate to pass a scientific test, they are a good enough guide to the user. Also it can be depended upon that the proportional differences are near enough correct. The speed marked r/5oth is really half that of the 1/25th, and so on. For outdoor pictures with the sun shining a box camera or other low-priced instrument will record very well, but in dull or wet weather, when the light is poor in quality and quantity, the more expensive apparatus with a fast lens is essential for good definition and quality of picture.
Portability is another consideration and if you have no objection to carrying a large and weighty camera, then I recom- mend the reflex type of camera. When new the older type cost from krz up ; second-hand from £5 in quite good condition and working order. A certain amount of experience is needed to operate this type of camera, but to one who has used with success a roll-film camera the reflex will cause little trouble. There are more up-to-date and convenient reflex cameras sold under various trade names. These are lighter than the old type and employ two lenses, one for viewing and the other for taking the picture. The twin lenses are coupled together so that there is no possibility of inaccurate register between the ground-glass viewing screen and the plate or film. The picture can be seen at actual time of taking, full size and the right way up. This type of camera costs from £3 to Z30, according to the quality of lens and shutter.
The old type of field camera is seldom used now by amateurs, but there are forms of camera having all the advantages, but which can be used in the hand or on a tripod. The Una and the Sanderson have been sold for a number of years and still are not completely displaced by the more modern apparatus of smaller size. In both cases, these cameras allow for the composition of the picture on a screen, _ but upside down. There is no need to bury the head beneath a large black cloth, as a hood is fitted over the screen to exclude the light and make clear the detail on the screen. To the serious worker it is a great relief to be able to see every detail thus before taking the picture. Of course action pictures cannot be recorded in this manner, and the camera must then be used with the back closed and the film already in position. The view is then taken through a small view finder of the reflecting or direct type attached to the camera's top or side.
Lastly, the miniature camera claims attention. No camera is completely universal as some would have us believe, but some of the precision miniature types are as nearly so as we are likely to obtain for many years yet. Miniature cameras have the advantage of small size and light weight, the definition given by the lenses is so good that enlargements up to many times the original size can be made almost indistinguishable from those taken with a larger camera.
In my next article. I will deal with the ordinary roll-film camera, perhaps the most popular and widely used type of camera in the world.
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