Old Cameras: Ancient Computers Or Not?

The definition of a computer is a device that can be programmed to carry out a series of arithmetic or logical operations. In this sense, an old camera is not a computer. However, cameras have evolved from the camera obscura to the modern-day digital cameras and camera phones. The first camera to use digital electronics to capture and store images was developed in 1975 by Steven Sasson, an engineer at Eastman Kodak. Digital cameras now include wireless communication capabilities and are commonly found on mobile phones.

Old cameras used photographic film, not digital memory

Old cameras differ from modern digital cameras in that they used photographic film, not digital memory, to capture images. Photographic film has a special layer of emulsion on it that contains thousands of tiny light-sensitive crystals. When light hits these crystals, they turn dark, and the more light that hits them, the darker they become.

After exposure to light, the film is treated with chemicals to remove its sensitivity to light. Then, light is shone through the film and onto a piece of paper with the same emulsion to create a positive print. This is why photographs initially come out as negatives.

Old cameras also had very slow shutter speeds, meaning that the shutter remained open and exposing the plate to light for a long period of time. This required photography subjects to remain very still for long periods of time to ensure the image was crisp and not blurred by movement.

The first digital camera was publicly demonstrated by Sony in August 1981. The Sony "Mavica" used a colour-striped 2/3" format CCD sensor with 280K pixels, along with analogue video signal processing and recording.

Old cameras had no viewfinders or screens to preview images

Old cameras did not have viewfinders or screens to preview images. This is a feature that has evolved with time and technology.

The viewfinder is a simple camera tool that allows you to see what is in the frame, along with your settings and other helpful information. In old twin-lens reflex cameras, the viewfinder was a small Galilean telescope placed in the camera body. It gave the photographer a general idea of the scene to be captured, but it had no connection to the lens. This often led to inaccurate images, especially when the subject was close to the camera, a phenomenon known as Parallax Error.

With advancements in technology, modern cameras, particularly DSLRs, now have viewfinders located in the centre of the camera, identifiable by a rubber eyepiece. These viewfinders are optical or electronic and provide an accurate, non-distorted view of the final image. The optical viewfinder uses a mirror and prism to reflect the exact image seen by the camera, with no electronic elements involved. On the other hand, the electronic viewfinder functions like the LCD screen in DSLRs, providing an active preview of the frame.

While old cameras lacked viewfinders, some vintage cameras that did have them are still available for sale, such as the NIKON PHOTOMIC T PRISM FINDER for the NIKON F and the Voigtlander Right Angle Viewer Finder 355 83. These vintage viewfinders showcase the evolution of camera technology and how far we've come in terms of image previewing and capturing.

Old cameras used film rolls that needed to be manually loaded

The process of loading film into an old camera involved several steps. Firstly, the camera back had to be opened by releasing a latch or hinge. This provided access to the film chamber, where the film roll needed to be placed onto a spool. The film leader, which was a short length of the film protruding from the roll, had to be carefully pulled out and fed into a set of guides and rollers. These components ensured the film was positioned correctly for exposure. Once the film leader reached the take-up spool on the other side of the camera, it needed to be secured in place, often with a small clip or notch.

After loading the film, closing the camera back created a light-tight seal, preventing unwanted light from exposing the film. At this point, the camera was ready for shooting. Each time a photo was taken, the film needed to be advanced manually to the next frame. This was usually done by winding a knob or lever on the camera body.

The manual loading of film rolls was a delicate and precise task. It required careful handling in low-light conditions to avoid exposing the film prematurely. Photographers had to keep track of the number of exposures taken to prevent overlapping frames or wasting film. Once the film roll was completed, it needed to be rewound back into its cartridge for processing and development.

The use of film rolls in old cameras was a time-consuming and intricate process. It demanded attention to detail and a good understanding of the camera's mechanics. With the advent of digital photography, film rolls became obsolete, replaced by electronic sensors and memory cards that could store hundreds or even thousands of images.

Old cameras had no built-in flash

Old cameras did not have built-in flash, and photographers had to rely on external flash units. This was because the flash technology of the time was not as advanced as it is today, and flash units were often large, studio-type AC-powered flashes that used a high trigger voltage. These high voltages, typically 200-400v, could seriously damage the circuitry of digital cameras, which were just becoming popular when built-in flash started to become less common.

Newer flash units designed specifically for digital cameras don't have this problem, but older flash units can still be used safely with digital cameras if interfaced with a small shoe-mount device that reduces the voltage.

Another issue with older flashes is that they are relatively weak and have to be positioned very close to the subject, often resulting in flat lighting and red eyes. The small flash size also means the light produced is very harsh, and the flash uses a lot of energy, quickly draining the camera's batteries.

Finally, built-in flashes cannot be used as bounce flashes, as they are fixed in position and do not produce enough light to be effective when bounced off a wall or ceiling.

Old cameras used manual focus

• Zone focusing: Set the aperture and distance to ensure the subject falls within the depth of field. The "F8 and be there" technique is a useful approach.
• Rangefinder accessory: Use an external rangefinder to measure distances and aid in focusing. Options like the "Ideal rangefinder" or "Lomo rangefinder" can assist in achieving accurate focus.
• Depth of field tables: Some old cameras included depth of field tables in their manuals, providing valuable reference information for achieving proper focus at different apertures and distances.
• Infinity focus: For casual landscape or architecture shots, setting the camera to infinity focus can often yield acceptable results without the need for precise measurements.
• Calibrated guesswork: Due to the limitations of older lenses, precise focus was not always necessary, and experienced photographers could achieve acceptable results through educated guesswork.
• Viewfinder limitations: Some old cameras, like the Agfa Silette and Welta Weltax, have small or basic viewfinders that can make focusing challenging. In such cases, using a measuring tape or an external rangefinder can be helpful.

Mastering manual focus with old cameras can be a rewarding experience that connects photographers with the history of the craft. With practice and patience, it is possible to capture stunning images using these vintage tools.

Frequently asked questions