Large format camera

The first cameras were large-format, since the size of the resulting image depended on the size of the frame window. Daguerreotypes were obtained in a single copy on a silver plated plate directly exposed in the camera and could not be of a different size. Subsequent technological progress and the emergence of a negative-positive process made it possible to replicate photographic prints in a contact way , which allowed to receive photographs of only the same size as the negative . This was due to the unsuitability of low-sensitivity silver-silver photo paper for optical printing. The usual negative formats in those years were 30 × 40 cm, 50 × 60 cm and even more. The appearance of highly sensitive gelatin-silver photo papers suitable for optical printing made it possible to reduce the negative format. So the monopoly of large-format cameras in the market for photographic equipment ended with the advent of medium-format, and later - small-format and miniature cameras.

The main advantage of large-format cameras, in addition to unsurpassed information capacity, is the ability to control perspective distortions and sharp image fields ^[3] . In modern photography, large format is removed when special control over the perspective is required: the movements of the format camera allow you to tilt the focus plane and correct perspective distortions ^[4] . Using the shifts and tilts of the camera, it is possible to shoot sharp objects that are not parallel to the plane of the frame with the fully open aperture using the Scheimpflug principle .

The focal lengths of the lenses of large-format cameras are several times greater than those of small-format ones and allow you to get a very small depth of field, even at long pick-up distances, providing a unique optical pattern. In modern photography, large-format cameras are used for architectural, interior photography and shooting advertising in the studio. Also, a large format is applicable for special technical purposes for obtaining photo masks or aerial photographs with high resolution. A frame size larger than 8 × 10 inches is hardly ever encountered at present.

There are several classes of large format cameras that differ in frame size and design. According to the field of application, such cameras are usually divided into three types: pavilion, road and reproduction. Pavilion cameras are designed only for use in a specialized photo studio and are characterized by a bulky design, unsuitable for transportation and shooting outdoors. Most modern pavilion cameras have a gimbal design, providing unlimited possibilities for movement. More compact road cameras with a folding structure and relatively compact dimensions, including due to the restriction of freedom of movement. Travel cameras are designed to be mounted on a light tripod and can be used in the field. Reproduction cameras are specifically designed for making photocopies of documents and other flat originals. They are designed as part of a reproduction installation including an original holder and a lighting system.

Large - format press cameras are designed for photojournalism and are the most versatile. Unlike most other large format cameras, they are suitable for handheld shooting in any environment. In the cassettes of large-format cameras, photographic plates or sheet film were charged. Cassette - a wooden or metal box with a sliding light-tight shutter ( slide ) . Cartridges can be one-sided or bilateral (double). In the latter case, which is characteristic of a format larger than 13 × 18 centimeters, the cassette consists of two compartments separated by an opaque partition, designed for two photographic plates or film sheets rotated to each other by a substrate. After shooting on one sheet, the cartridge is turned over to shoot on the second ^[5] . This design allows you to slightly reduce the weight and stock of cartridges for field shooting.

Different classes of large format equipment are characterized by different frame sizes:

• 9 × 12 centimeters or 4 × 5 inches (approximately 10 × 13 cm) is the most common format for press chambers;
• 13 × 18 centimeters or 5 × 7 inches - the frame size of press chambers, popular until World War II;
• 18 × 24 centimeters or 8 × 10 inches (approximately 20 × 25 cm) - the frame format of most road cameras;
• from 24 × 30 centimeters to 50 × 60 centimeters or 20 × 25 inches - formats typical of pavilion cameras;

Any large-format camera is suitable for shooting on a negative of a smaller format and even on a roller film. To do this, use special adapter adapters , often included in the kit. Modern digital backdrops are comparable in detail only with pictures 9 × 12 cm, and a larger format gives a gain in detail ^[6] . On contact prints from negatives of 18 × 24 cm, the detail is so great with a very high image quality that it creates an effect of presence, since the image corresponds in abundance of details to a picture visible to the human eye with good vision.

The gigapxl.org project used a 9 "× 18" camera and Kodak Aerocolor III type 2444 film and others produced for this format. Such films are used for aerial photography and military applications. After scanning the negative, an image of up to 88,000 × 44,000 pixels was obtained, that is, about 4 gigapixels. At the same time, no gluing and mounting were performed - so many parts were obtained due to the high quality at each stage. In other projects for the production of gigapixel photos, editing of digital images is used, immediately scanning one negative size 22 × 44 cm, which allows you to shoot dynamic scenes.

• Cambo
• Fuji
• Graflex
• Linhof
• Nikon
• Rodenstock GmbH
• Sinar
• Schneider kreuznach
• Toho machines
• Mamiya

• Camera movements
• Press chamber
• Folding camera

• Fomin A.V. § 6. Classification of cameras // General course of photography / T. P. Buldakova. - 3rd. - M .: "Legprombytizdat", 1987. - S. 43-48. - 256 s. - 50,000 copies.

• M. I. Shulman. Cameras / T. G. Filatova. - L .: "Engineering", 1984. - 142 p.

• School of studio shooting // Soviet photo : magazine. - 1991. - No. 8-9 . - S. 58-59 . - ISSN 0371-4284 .

• Large Format Photography. Info
• Linhof
• http://www.graflex.org/ (English)
• http://prograf.ru/camera/largeformat.html / What is a widescreen camera (large format camera) (Russian)
• https://web.archive.org/web/20060719063806/http://www.gigapxl.org/ Gigapxl Project
• http://www.michaelmironov.com/rus/ Photos from a large format camera (5 × 7 ") (Russian)
• https://web.archive.org/web/20151208052313/http://largeformatclub.ru/ Russian-speaking Forum of the "Large Format" (Russian)
• http://www.dapixara.com/ Limited edition black and white large format photography