Editing Press camera

{{short description|Medium or large format camera}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2015}}
[[Image:Stanley Kubrick's Speed Graphic camera at the LACMA exhibit.jpg|thumb|4x5" Graflex Speed Graphic press camera with optional rangefinder on left, with attached bulb flash.]]

A '''press camera''' is a [[Medium format (film)|medium]] or [[Large format (photography)|large format]] [[view camera]] that was predominantly used by press photographers in the early to mid-20th century. It was largely replaced for [[Photojournalism|press photography]] by [[35mm format|35mm film]] cameras in the 1960s, and subsequently, by digital cameras. The quintessential press camera was the [[Speed Graphic]].<ref name=Weegee>{{cite book|last1=Fellig (Weegee)|first1=Arthur|title=Naked city|date=2003|publisher=Da Capo Press|location=[Cambridge, Massachusetts].|isbn=0-306-81204-5|page=260|edition=Facsimile}}</ref> Press cameras are still used as portable and rugged view cameras.

==Details==
Press cameras were widely used from the 1900s through the early 1960s and commonly have the following features:<ref name=Takahashi>{{cite web|last1=Takahashi|first1=Tim|title=Graflex Pacemaker Speed Graphic|url=http://photo.net/equipment/large-format/speed-graphic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803230612/http://www.photo.net/equipment/large-format/speed-graphic|url-status=dead|archive-date=2002-08-03|website=photo.net|access-date=17 December 2015|date=1996}}</ref><ref name=Adams1>{{cite book|last1=Adams|first1=Ansel|title=The Camera|date=1980|publisher=Little, Brown|location=Boston|isbn=0821210920|edition=2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/cameraadam00adam}}</ref>{{rp|48}}

* collapsible into strong, compact boxes
* flexible [[bellows (photography)|bellows]], attached to a flatbed track 
* easily interchangeable [[photographic lens|lens]]es, mounted on a solid support
* ability to accept sheet film, film packs, and roll film, through the use of interchangeable film backs and [[Film holder|holders]]
* [[ground glass]] focusing screen
* optical viewfinder
* handheld operation {{efn|Field cameras generally were heavier than press cameras and intended to be used on tripods rather than handheld <ref name=Which>{{cite web|title=Which Model?|url=https://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/which-model.html|website=www.graflex.org|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=9 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209133750/http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/which-model.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
* reduced number, reduced range or absence of [[View camera#View camera movements|movements]], in contrast to [[field camera]]s or other view camera formats
* optical rangefinder focusing in some models
* [[Flash (photography)|Flash]]-synchronized internal [[Diaphragm shutter|iris]] lens [[Shutter (photography)|shutter]]

Some models have both a [[focal plane shutter]] and an [[Diaphragm shutter|iris lens shutter]]. The focal plane shutter allows for fast shutter speeds and the use of lenses which do not have an integral shutter (known as a barrel lens),<ref name=Takahashi/> while the iris shutter allows for flash synchronization at any speed. The Graphlex [[Speed Graphic]] models <ref name=FAQ/> and the [[Ihagee]] Zweiverschluss (''"two shutters"'') Duplex<ref name="ihagee">{{cite web|last1=Ruys|first1=Hugo|title=The Identification of Pre-War Ihagee Cameras|url=http://www.ihagee.org/Overig/ihgiden2b.pdf|website=www.ihagee.org|access-date=27 November 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070525/http://www.ihagee.org/Overig/ihgiden2b.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> are examples of press cameras that had both focal plane and iris shutters.

The most common sheet film size for press cameras was the 4×5&nbsp;inch [[film format]].<ref name=Weegee/><ref name=Takahashi/> Models have also been produced for the 2.25×3.25&nbsp;inch format (6×9&nbsp;cm), 3.25×4.25&nbsp;inch format and various [[120 film]] formats <ref name=Adams1/> from 6×6&nbsp;cm. through 6×12&nbsp;cm. European press cameras, such as the [[Goerz (company)|Goerz]] and [[Frank Lionel Milton van Neck|Van Neck]], used the 9×12cm format, marginally smaller than the 4"×5" format.

[[Image:Mpp VIII.jpg|thumb|right|Many press cameras can be fitted with rangefinders for handheld use]]

The press camera is still used as a portable medium or large format film camera for [[photojournalism]] and among fine art photographers who use it as a low cost, more portable alternative to a [[view camera]].  In news photography, the press camera has been largely supplanted by the smaller formats of [[120 film]] and [[135 film]], and more recently by [[digital camera]]s. The advantage of the 4×5 inch format over 35&nbsp;mm format is that the size of the film negative is 16 times that of a 35&nbsp;mm film negative image.<ref name=Takahashi/>{{efn|Some [[Full-frame digital SLR|professional DSLR]] cameras have an [[image sensor]] which is the same size as 35mm format (36×24 mm) <ref>{{cite book|last1=Atherton|first1=Nigel|title=An illustrated A to Z of digital photography: people and portraits|date=2006|publisher=AVA Pub. SA/Essentials|location=Lausanne, Switzerland|isbn=2-88479-087-X}}</ref> while most consumer and prosumer digital cameras have significantly smaller [[Image sensor format#Common image sensor formats|CCDs]].}} 
 
Press cameras were largely superseded by the 6x6cm medium format [[Rolleiflex]] in the early to mid-1960s and later by 35&nbsp;mm [[rangefinder camera|rangefinder]] or [[single-lens reflex camera]]s. The smaller formats gained acceptance as film technology advanced and quality of the smaller negatives was deemed acceptable by picture editors. The smaller cameras generally offered lenses with faster maximum apertures and by the nature of their smaller size, were easier to transport and use. The bulk and weight of the camera itself, as well as the size of the film holders (two pictures per film holder), limited the number of exposures photographers could make on an assignment; this was less of an issue with 12 exposures on a roll of 120 film, or 36 exposures on 35&nbsp;mm film.<ref name=Millett>{{cite book|last1=Millett|first1=Larry|title=Strange days, dangerous nights : photos from the speed graphic era|date=2004|publisher=Borealis Books|location=St. Paul, MN|isbn=0-87351-504-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fA9-MdODWO0C&q=American+press+camera&pg=PA5|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122205055/https://books.google.com/books?id=fA9-MdODWO0C&q=American%20press%20camera&pg=PA5|url-status=live}}</ref>

Compared to [[View camera|view cameras]], press cameras do not have the range of swing/tilt movements of the front standard, and rarely have back movements because many were fitted with focal plane shutters.<ref name=Takahashi/>

==List of press cameras==
{{Expand list|date=October 2009}}
* [[Charles Beseler Company|Beseler]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The Beseler Press camera|url=http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/American/beseler%201.html|website=lommen9.home.xs4all.nl|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222111528/http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/American/beseler%201.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Beseler 4×5
* Burke & James Press, Burke & James Inc., Chicago, U.S.A.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jo Lommen collecting and using Burke & James classic press cameras|url=http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/Burke/|website=lommen9.home.xs4all.nl|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>
** B & J Press (4×5)
** Watson (2×3)
* Busch Pressman<ref>{{cite web|title=Busch Camera|url=http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/Busch/index.html|website=lommen9.home.xs4all.nl|access-date=2015-12-17|archive-date=2016-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119211156/http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/Busch/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Model C (2×3)
** Model D (4×5)
** Tower Press (2×3, 4×5) = [[Sears]] Tower branded Busch Pressman 
*Goerz Anschutz
**Ango series
* [[Graflex]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Graflex.Org: Speed Graphics, Large Format Photography, and More|url=http://www.graflex.org/|website=www.graflex.org|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=28 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028012803/http://graflex.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> the classic American press camera
** [[Speed Graphic]] (3¼×4¼, 4×5"){{efn|The Speed Graphic was also available in 5x7 inch format, but usually limited to studio rather than press use due to weight <ref name=FAQ>{{cite web|last1=Caloccia|first1=William|last2=Takahashi|first2=Timothy|title=Speed Graphic FAQ file|url=http://people.rit.edu/andpph/pf-faq/faq-23.html|website=R.I.T. Photo Forum|access-date=27 November 2015|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210121049/https://people.rit.edu/andpph/pf-faq/faq-23.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
** Miniature Speed Graphic (2¼x3¼")
** Crown Graphic (3¼×4¼, 4×5")
** Miniature Crown Graphic (2¼x3¼")
** Century Graphic (2¼x3¼")
** Super Crown Graphic (4×5")
** Super Speed Graphic (4×5")
**Pacemaker Speed Graphic (2¼x3¼, 3¼×4¼, 4×5")
**Pacemaker Crown Graphic (2¼x3¼, 3¼×4¼, 4×5")
*[[Ihagee]]
**Zweiverschluss Duplex (6.5x9 cm, 9x12 cm and 10x15 cm)<ref name="ihagee" />
* Kalart Press (3×4)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Kalart camera|url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/kalartcamera/index.html|website=www.xs4all.nl|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=13 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513234518/http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/kalartcamera/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Linhof]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Linhof Master Technika Cameras|url=http://www.linhofstudio.com/products/Linhof-Cameras-Technika-Series|website=www.linhofstudio.com|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222090119/http://www.linhofstudio.com/products/Linhof-Cameras-Technika-Series|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Super Technika
** Linhof Technika Press, model of both Graflex XL and Mamiya Press
** Linhof Press 70
** Linhof Press (4×5) = Technika III with limited movements
* [[Mamiya]]
** [[Mamiya Press]]
** Mamiya Universal
* Meridan 45 (A, B, maybe C)<ref>{{cite web|title=The Meridian Camera|url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/American/meridian.htm|website=www.xs4all.nl|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>
* [[Micro Precision Products]]
** MPP MicroPress—English design focal plane shutter camera from 1950s, based on Speed Graphic model with the rangefinder mounted horizontally at the top
* [[Omega (photographic brand)|Omega]]
** Koni Omega<ref>{{cite web|title=Koni Omega Rapid M – Photoethnography.com's Classic Camera DB|url=http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/KoniOmegaRapidM.html|website=www.photoethnography.com|access-date=2015-12-17|archive-date=2015-12-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226121922/http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/KoniOmegaRapidM.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Rapid Omega
* [[Plaubel Makina]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Jo Lommen collecting and using PLAUBEL MAKINA II classic press cameras|url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/plaubel/index.html|website=www.xs4all.nl|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=12 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312010143/http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/plaubel/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]]
** Polaroid 600/600 SE
* Press King, B&W Manufacturing Co., Ontario, Canada<ref>{{cite web|title=4x5 Press King Camera|url=http://graflex.coffsbiz.com/DSC_3316_jpg.html|website=graflex.coffsbiz.com|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref>
* Ramlose Model A (4×5)
* [[Thornton-Pickard]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Co. Camera Listing|url=http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=1337|website=Historic Camera History Librarium|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222125816/http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=1337|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Topcon#Cameras|Topcon]] / [[Komamura Corporation|Komamura]]
** Topcon Horseman (2¼ x 3¼) Models 760, 960, 970, 980, 985, VH and VHR
* Toyo Super Graphic (4×5)
* [[Frank van Neck|Van Neck]],<ref>{{cite web|title=The VanNeck press camera|url=http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/vanneck/|website=lommen9.home.xs4all.nl|access-date=17 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101634/http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/vanneck/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Agents for Goerz Anschütz cameras pre-WW1, manufactured the British Anschütz camera from 1919 until 1924 when supplies of Goerz were unavailable.[http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/vanneck/page2.html]}}
* Wista 45RF<ref name=Which/>

==See also==
* [[View camera]]
* [[Field camera]]
* [[Speed Graphic]]
* [[Weegee]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.graflex.org Graflex cameras]
*[http://www.mppusers.com The MPP Users Club – cameras and photographic equipment] manufactured by [[Micro Precision Products]] Ltd. of London, England.
*[http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/index.html Jo Lommen's site about Classic Press Cameras]
*[http://www.largeformatphotography.info/meridian/meridian.html The Meridian 45B]
*[http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/must-33/ 'Must See: He Kept His Speed Graphic' By Kerri Macdonald'] on Louis Mendes, ''New York Times'' Lens Blog
*[http://www.presscameras.org/ Collection of presscameras]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040216173137/http://presscameras.graywolfphoto.com/ Using press cameras]}}
*[http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/ – View and field cameras of the United States: 1870s-1930s]

{{Photography}}

[[Category:Cameras by type]]