Difference between 'view' and 'field' camera...

<p>Hi...dumb wannabe questiuon... (you know I've been lusting after the gx680, and I think I've gone and done the deed now :)<br>

People keep bandying around the terms 'view' and 'field' camera a lot... what exactly is the difference or definitions, and where would the gx680 fit?</p>

<p>The GX680 is an SLR, doesn't fit in the view camera or field camera universe.</p>

<p>Field cameras are typically folding flat bed cameras with front movements, although some cameras generally accepted as field cameras have rear movements too. View cameras typically have full movements at both ends, don't fold up into a box, and can be flat bed or monorail. The division between the two is somewhat vague.</p>

<p>View camera refers to the viewing system of the camera where the light passes through the lens and the image is viewed directly on a ground glass. View cameras are typically also large format cameras, but not always. A filed camera is generally a view camera with a flat wooden bed, the front and back can be folded for easy carrying into the field. For studio use, most photographers will use a monorail camera, a view camera with the front and back standards mounted on a central rail. Most monorail cameras cannot be folded like a field camera. Some people will use the term view camera when they really mean monorail camera, which is where the confusion comes from. As stated above, the gx680 is not a view camera. </p>

<p>To sum up: view camera=camera where the light goes through the lens directly to a ground glass, there is no mirror or other device in the way of the light. In general, there are two types of view cameras, field cameras and monorails. </p>

 

<p>Hmmm... the last of the coffee just evaporated...<br>

Thanks, guys, I shall be sitting and thinking on that a bit...:)</p>

<p>I think Allen hit on the important thing, "View Camera" defines a certain category of camera whie "Field Camera" is just a subset. Sometimes people use "Studio" or "Technical" for the monorail type that generally have more movements and more precise movements. The Linhoff TechniKarden is an example where the two were somewhat combined--Field and Technical/Studio. View cameras are generally cameras where one focuses on a ground glass rather than through a prism.</p>

<p>The GX680 is really somewhat close to how field cameras work, where you have more adjustments in the front of the camera. For medium format work, they certainly provide a lot of the controls one would covet in a field camera. But like field and technical view cameras, there are levels of what they can do. I think you will find the GX680 a good compromise in the MF arena for a view camera-like platform.</p>

<p>Enjoy it.</p>

<p>As Allen said, the term Field camera comes from a camera designed to be taken into the field. Not how we generally think of field, as on a farm or for football, but outside the studio. The cameras are made with limited movements and without a rail, generally made from wood due to the strength/weight ratio. It is considered that in the field you don't need all those movements because for one thing you generally don't do close up work as on a table top in a studio. You also don't need as much bellows.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Some people will use the term view camera when they really mean monorail camera, which is where the confusion comes from.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sorry to disagree, Allen.</p>

<p>A monorail is a particular type of view camera, and a field camera is another particular type.</p>

<p>In fact the terms monorail and field divide the view camera category into two distinct groups.<br /> There are other less common view camera groups like process cameras.</p>

<p>A view camera is a camera that projects the viewable image directly onto a ground glass at the film position,<br /> as opposed to a single-lens reflex camera that reflects the image onto a GG at a different position, or a<br>

twin-lens reflex or rangefinder or other type that use a viewing system separate from the taking lens.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

<p>Dilip, I hope you have an understanding of the differences between the GX-680s weight, verses a field camera. The initial concept of the GX-680 is brilliant, combining field camera movements within a medium format package, but if your considering, or planning to trek around the countryside with the GX-680, consider the weight differentials against a field camera, that are usually three times as light. Perhaps you are apprised of all of this. Just pointing out the obvious.</p>

<p>Leigh,</p>

<p>I don't think we disagree at all as to the proper definitions. Perhaps I should have added the word "incorrectly" to my post. </p>

 

<p>Hi Allen,</p>

<p>Yeah, I think we're on the same page.</p>

<p>It's amazing how much erroneous terminology floats around, from unknown origins.<br>

I think people overhear snippets of conversations and infer meanings that are incorrect.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

 

<p>To make it simple, a field camera is a more portable view camera.</p>

Not a matter of "erroneous terminology" and misunderstood, "incorrectly" used terms.<br>Much more a matter of there not being one, univocal and unequivocal definition of what each term must mean.<br>Different people in different places find some sort of agreement of what they, among themselves, think they should mean. But there's no governing body of sorts that sets strict rules, and the closest thing to such a non-existing authority - the manufacturers - don't agree, don't even care. And why should they?<br>The thing we would best do, is avoid using generic terms without also mentioning what makes the thing the term is meant to represent different from other cameras. Or resort to only using those terms that are really readily understood, terms like "monorail". "Monorail", "technical cameras" (another one of those vague thingies) can also be "field cameras", despite not being so eminently 'self containable' like those "press cameras" that fold to form their own transport container, and that by some means of reckoning are not "press cameras" but another sort of "flat bed" camera. Etcetera. Etcetera.

<p>The press cameras that Q.G. brought up are yet another variety. Their one distinguishing feature is that they have a rangefinder and a non-TTL viewfinder - the smarter ones have a single viewing port which combines both functions - so that photos can be composed and focused without resorting to a rear ground glass. This gave them the speed of handling that was valued by press photographers in the '40s, '50s and '60s...hence the name - press cameras.</p>

<p>However they also have the option of direct rear ground glass viewing, so that makes them view cameras too!</p>

<p>Different models were made for medium format (typically 6x9cm) and large format (quarter-plate and 4x5).</p>

<p>AFAIK the large format models were all drop-bed-with-bellows-and-limited-movements types, and so were many of the medium format ones. But the later medium format ones tended to be rigid bodies with interchangeable helical-focusing lenses and coupled range/viewfinders. In this regard they were not that different to a 35mm Leica rangfinder, except for the vast difference of size and the much more modular design (all sorts of interchangeable film backs, rear viewing attachments, grips, extension tubes etc.).</p>

 

<p>Aah Dilip, you've followed my advice to the letter. Now that you're about to take delivery of your own 680 you'll find the answer to your question "<em>and where would the gx680 fit?"</em> is ... not many places. It's a biggie. You'll need a special camera case or holdall for it. Even Peli cases will need to be on steroids. Definitely not a pocket camera.</p>

<p>Good luck with it and let us know how you get on, particularly if this is the one needing modded batteries. And just a personal predilection, try not to feed it too much Velvia. Shocking stuff :-)</p>

<p>Strictly speaking, a field camera is any camera light enough to use in the field - could be a 35mm Leica. Historically the term was applied to lightweight wooden view cameras, a view camera being any camera where the image from the lens falls directly onto a ground glass screen on which it can be viewed. <br /> The term "view camera" was unknown to my (not very good) photography teachers at college in the 1960s - they said field camera for any view camera used outside, studio camera for anything used indoors. View camera is a much more logical term - note that there are many large format cameras which are not view cameras (e.g Graflex SLRs, aerial cameras) and that there has been at least one 35mm view camera (very hard to use because the screen was so small).<br /> Furthermore the term "view camera" says nothing about whether the camera in question is of monorail or baseboard design - the latter is often called a technical camera (Linhof Technika, MPP Technical. etc.) Press cameras (Speed/Crown Graphic, etc.) can be used as view cameras, and indeed are used in this way by enthusiasts today - originally they were focused by rangefinder and the picture composed by an external viewfinder.<br /> Finally, I agree with everyone else - the GX680 is an SLR with a special front mount which gives some of the movements normally found on a view camera. I personally hate expensive cameras that need dedicated batteries - these will not be available for ever.</p>

<p>A 35mm view camera:<br>

<a href="http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ilford_KI_Monobar">http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Ilford_KI_Monobar</a><br>

You can turn an LTM camera into a view camera with an accessory called a Focoslide.</p>

<p>Photography in Wonderland:</p>

<p>"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."<br>

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."<br>

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - - that's all."<br>

<br /><br /></p>

<p>You can turn a cardboard box into a view camera, which</p>

<p>does not mean that a cardboard box <strong>IS</strong> a view camera.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

<p><em>You can turn a cardboard box into a view camera, which does not mean that a cardboard box <strong>IS</strong> a view camera.</em><br>

Of course it is! Maybe not a very good one, maybe not one you would want to use, but a view camera nonetheless. In exactly the same way, a Coke can or a trash can or a panel van can become a [pinhole] camera.</p>

<p><em>You can turn a cardboard box into a view camera, which does not mean that a cardboard box <strong>IS</strong> a view camera.</em><br>

Of course it is! Maybe not a very good one, maybe not one you would want to use, but a view camera nonetheless. In exactly the same way, a Coke can or a trash can or a panel van can become a [pinhole] camera. In what way is a KI Monobar NOT a view camera?</p>

<p>Hi Mac: did you ever get a sinking feeling after doing something especially daring...?<br /> That's OK... I am realizing slowly that these higher end cameras are basically mechanical contraptions to do what could probably be achieved with a slightly flexible pipe :). Some of the contrivances are big and bold, like the gx 680...others may be small and neat, like those foldable press cameras ??<br /> I used to play about with my Tamron Adaptall 2 lenses and wonder why they didn't make a shift type adaptall mount for them...</p>

<p>Don't forget the 680 not only has tilt and shift it also has rise and fall. It could be that giving you the sinking feeling, takes some getting used to :-)</p>

<p>There is also such a thing as buyer's remorse, that can definitely give sinking feelings. In my experience these things don't last too long especially once some familiarity with the new acquisition takes place.</p>

<p>I can confirm from your description that you do have a genuine GX680 ...big and bold is certainly what it is. I remember the first time I saw one in the "flesh", it was in a second hand camera store and they had a few bodies sitting on the shelf and I was able to take them down and hold them. As soon as I got one in my hands I didn't have a clue what to do next, I just cradled this huge piece of photo history thinking I've got to have one. It was the sort of store where they have men in white coats who come out and carefully remove the camera from you, mop up the drool and replace it on the shelf. The escorted exit to the shop door wasn't so gentle.</p>

<p>Later, after getting my own 680 kit, I bought a 1 metre cable release for it from them to show no hard feelings on my part.</p>

What brought on this talk about "sinking feeling" and "remorse"?<br>No need for any of the sort. Suppose it turns out you don't like the thing after all. All you have to do to get your money back is sell the thing on. You could even make some money, besides having gained an extra bit of experience.

<p>'Scuse us, Dilip and me were having an emotional moment.<br>

We're good now.</p>

<p>Leigh, process cameras aren't view cameras. Most process cameras had no ground-glass viewing screen and the focus was done by scale or fixed to a preset reproduction ratio. Visual focusing isn't nearly accurate enough for precision copying work at a specific magnification. Some process cameras also had a reversing prism fitted in front of the lens, which turned the taking path through 90 degrees. In any case they were generally far too large and heavy to be used in the field as "view" cameras, and some of them were actually built into a darkroom wall! Most of these monsters have now unfortunately been consigned to the scrap heap.</p>

<p>Technical cameras are metal bodied folding cameras with full movements. They come in medium format and sheet-film sizes up to 5"x4", generally no larger. Sometimes they're also fitted with a coupled rangefinder. So does that eliminate them from the view camera category?</p>