Production Glossary
Camera
A camera is an invention that is capable of capturing and saving an image. The term image covers both moving and still pictures. A camera is typically box-like, with an aperture, or opening, through which light is emitted. At the opposite end of the aperture there is a recording area that catches the light that passes through the camera. A lens is placed in the aperture to assist in capturing and focusing the light onto film or an electronic image sensor. In addition to the lens, a camera utilizes features such as focus, shutters, and control of exposure. In photographic cameras, a picture is recorded every time the shutter button is pressed. In movie cameras, 24 frames per second are recorded when the shutter button is pressed.The precursor to the camera was the camera obscura, meaning “dark chamber”. The camera obscura dates back to the 6th century. This early device captured images on paper or glass, which were then traced by hand in order to maintain the picture. In 1685, a portable camera obscura was developed by Johann Zahn, and in 1724 Johann Heinrich Schultz uncovered the ability of chalk and silver to darken when flashed with light. The 19th and 20th centuries saw many improvements to the camera, mainly in design and ease of use. The advent of the digital camera, which has now widely replaced film camera, fundamentally changed the way cameras capture and store images. Leading up to digital cameras, film cameras came in a variety of designs. The following is a list of camera designs: folding camera, plate camera, single-lens reflex camera, rangefinder camera, box camera, twin-lens reflex camera, medium and large format cameras, and movie camera.
Traditional cameras require the use of film in order to capture images. Film stock ranges from roll film in photographic cameras to generic movie film (35mm, 16 mm, etc).
