What is a Field Camera, really?

Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
or Linhof Technika would be an example.

Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
with the rail removed are as compact.

So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?

Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
From: "jjs"
Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
Message-id:

Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
or Linhof Technika would be an example.

Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
with the rail removed are as compact.

So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?


I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail cameras
are taken on location.

steve simmons

Quoth "jjs" :
| Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
| was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
| ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
| or Linhof Technika would be an example.
|
| Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
| camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
| with the rail removed are as compact.
|
| So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
| rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?

I imagine the term predates the Graphics, and has historically meant
something like a studio camera but that could reasonably be carried
at all. Like an old Korona or D2 or similar, compared to the contemporary
portrait cameras. A better name for Graphics is "press" camera,
especially if you agree with the above definition - they implement
more drastic compromises than you need just to get out into the field.

Donn

Quoth "jjs" :
| Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
| was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
| ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
| or Linhof Technika would be an example.
|
| Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
| camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
| with the rail removed are as compact.
|
| So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
| rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?

I imagine the term predates the Graphics, and has historically meant
something like a studio camera but that could reasonably be carried
at all. Like an old Korona or D2 or similar, compared to the contemporary
portrait cameras. A better name for Graphics is "press" camera,
especially if you agree with the above definition - they implement
more drastic compromises than you need just to get out into the field.

Donn

In article ,
(CamArtsMag) wrote:

Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
From: "jjs"
Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
Message-id:

Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
or Linhof Technika would be an example.

Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
with the rail removed are as compact.

So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?


I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail cameras
are taken on location.

steve simmons

And the Technikardan is a monorail that folds.

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

In article ,
(CamArtsMag) wrote:

Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
From: "jjs"
Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
Message-id:

Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
or Linhof Technika would be an example.

Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
with the rail removed are as compact.

So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?


I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail cameras
are taken on location.

steve simmons

And the Technikardan is a monorail that folds.

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail
cameras
are taken on location.

I think that's better than "field" camera too but then there's the cameras
that aren't monorails and that also don't fold, like the Ebony line of
non-folding cameras, and cameras like the Technikardan and Toyo VX125 that
are monorails but that also kind of fold. It isn't easy to devise two labels
that encompass all large format cameras.

"Bob Salomon" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(CamArtsMag) wrote:

Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
From: "jjs"
Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
Message-id:

Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one
which
was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged
packing,
ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown
Graphic,
or Linhof Technika would be an example.

Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view
viewcameras
with the rail removed are as compact.

So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a
bed
rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?


I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail
cameras
are taken on location.

steve simmons

And the Technikardan is a monorail that folds.

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

CamArtsMag wrote:
: Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
: From: "jjs"
: Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
: Message-id:

: Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
: was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
: ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
: or Linhof Technika would be an example.

: Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
: camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
: with the rail removed are as compact.

: So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
: rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?
:

: I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail cameras
: are taken on location.

My first 4x5 was a Calumet CC400. I found that it traveled into the field very
well. I mount the camera on my tripod and carry it over my shoulder like a hobo
bag. Compared to the weight of my film holders, lenses, filters, etc it didn't
weigh much.
--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------

CamArtsMag wrote:
: Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
: From: "jjs"
: Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
: Message-id:

: Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one which
: was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged packing,
: ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown Graphic,
: or Linhof Technika would be an example.

: Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
: camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view viewcameras
: with the rail removed are as compact.

: So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a bed
: rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?
:

: I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail cameras
: are taken on location.

My first 4x5 was a Calumet CC400. I found that it traveled into the field very
well. I mount the camera on my tripod and carry it over my shoulder like a hobo
bag. Compared to the weight of my film holders, lenses, filters, etc it didn't
weigh much.
--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------

"Frank Pittel" wrote in message
...
CamArtsMag wrote:
: Subject: What is a Field Camera, really?
: From: "jjs"
: Date: 11/2/2004 3:47 PM Mountain Standard Time
: Message-id:

: Straighten out this old man - I always considered a 'field camera' one
which
: was made to be a view camera thyat folded into itself for rugged
packing,
: ideally as a 'clam shell' kind of arrangement. The Speed or Crown
Graphic,
: or Linhof Technika would be an example.

: Now I see the (very beautiful) Linhof Technikardan described as a field
: camera. It satisfies the 'compact' quality, but a lot of view
viewcameras
: with the rail removed are as compact.

: So, a "field camera" is a view camera (rangefinder optional) which has a
bed
: rather than a rail, or a rail that folds into itself. Right?
:

: I prefer the terms folding camera and monorail camera. Many monorail
cameras
: are taken on location.

My first 4x5 was a Calumet CC400. I found that it traveled into the field
very
well. I mount the camera on my tripod and carry it over my shoulder like a
hobo
bag. Compared to the weight of my film holders, lenses, filters, etc it
didn't
weigh much.
--




Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------


Once a few years back whilst back packing over rough terrain a member of our
party found a well rusted box brownie next to the log we were resting on.
Nothing much just the shell. Might this be your 'field' camera:-) One at
times wonders of the lost dreams that never got home.

--
Otzi