Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Photography
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This page provides some guidance on how to properly write about cameras and photography (especially "classical" or chemical film cameras, but more general terminology is also listed here).
General guidelines
- Left-hand side and right-hand side describes those places on the camera, just as port and starboard are used on board a boat, from the viewpoint of the photographer
- The camera lens (or finder or back - singular) is removable or interchangeable (if applicable).
- The camera has not interchangeable lenses (or finders or backs) - unless more are at hand (if applicable).[clarification needed]
- The introduction or launch date may differ significantly from production start which seldom is published.
- End of production is relevant, since end of sale is difficult to establish in most circumstances.
- Film frame sizes: 24×36mm, but 6×6 because the latter is 56×56mm. The same goes for most roll film formats.
- A name on a camera or lens is preferably written exactly as seen on the equipment itself or in the manufacturer's literature: Asahi Pentax; Minolta-35; „Спорт“; Nikon F2; Canon F-1; Canon F-1n; Canon New F-1; Industar И-10 1:3,5 f=5cm; Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 1:1.4 f=58mm; Angenieux Paris F. 50 1:1,8 (note comma, not dot). It is prudent to tell exactly what is written on lenses, manufacturer's specifications and relevant literature. [1]
- Write dimensions related to optics and cameras with a non-breaking space (
) between the numeral(s) and the unit of measure, per WP:Manual of Style (dates and numbers), except when reporting what appears on the equipment (see immediately previous point).
Terminology
Parts of the camera
- Top plate - is the covering plate where several controls often are situated.
- Bayonet (or screw) lens mount - the place the lens is mounted.
- Carrying strap lugs - usually situated on each side on the camera body.
- Tripod socket - a threaded hole on the camera base for securing it to a tripod etc.
- Back door - opens for film changing.
- Base plate, removable base plate - the bottom of the camera.
- Film gate - the opening just in front of the film determining the frame size.
- Sprocket wheel drum - the mechanism that engages in the film perforations and control film advance.
- Bellows - prevents light from hitting the film by enclosing the space between the lens and the film on bellows cameras.
- Take-up spool - the spool that the film is wound on to during photographing.
- Reflex mirror - flips up and returns after exposure.
- Pellicle mirror - is stationary and redirects part of the lightray to the finder.
- Focal plane shutter - is situated just in front of the film gate.
- Leaf shutter - is usually an integral part of the camera lens.[2]
Controls on the camera or lens
- Wind-on lever (or knob) - it usually cocks the shutter, winds on the film and increments the frame counter.
- Rewind crank (or knob) - it is used to rewind the film after it is exposed.
- Rewind release button (or lever) - it allows the film to be freely rewound into the cassette.
- Focusing ring - the collar on the lens to be rotated for obtaining the desired focus.
- Aperture ring - the collar on the lens to be rotated for obtaining the desired aperture.
- Finder - either built-in or fixed in an accessory shoe on the camera top plate.
- Rangefinder - device to assist focusing the lens, it is often mechanically coupled to the lens focusing mechanism.
- Shutter speed dial - to be turned to the required shutter speed.
- Synchronizing contact - closes to activate the flash.
- Synchronizing socket - provide a place to connect the electrical lead from the flash.
- PC socket - was introduced by Prontor-Compur for connecting flash to their shutters. [3]
Lens mounts
- Canon R mount - Cononflex breech mount
- Canon FL mount - Next generation Canon breech mount
- Canon FD Mount - Third generation Canon breech mount
- L39 - the 39mm Leica lens mount with 26 threads per inch (26 / 25.4 = 1.023622 threads per mm)
- M39 - is the 39mm×1mm pitch lens mount that came into existence due to unawareness of the Germans using Imperial threads
- M42 - the Pentacon screw mount, made universal by Praktica, Pentax etc.
- Minolta SR mount - the Minolta SLR bayonet mount prior to autofocus
- Nikon F mount - the Nikon SLR camera lens mount [4]
References
- ^ P-H. van Hasbroeck (1989). 150 Classic Cameras. Sotherby's Publications. ISBN 0856673633.
- ^ J. Lipinski (1955–1956). Miniature and Precision Cameras. Illife & Sons, Ltd London.
- ^ Roger Hicks (1984). A history of the 35mm Still Camera. Focal Press, London. ISBN 0240512332.
- ^ Rudolph Lea (1993). The Register of 35mm Single Lens Reflex Cameras Second Ed. Wittig Books Hückelhoven. ISBN 3889841309.