Range Finder Camera: this camera does not use a lens to view the subject but instead relies on a separate viewing structure in the camera for aiming and for focus, unlike a Viewfinder type camera, allowing for accurate focus. "The photographer adjusts the focus ring on the lens and as they do the two images move. When both on directly on top of each other they blend together and almost disappear signifying the camera is in focus." This camera is great for candids and low lighting, also very light weight and quiet. Twin-Lens Reflex Cameras: This camera uses medium-format camera meaning it uses bigger film than a 35 mm film. This camera became popular after World War II. "It is fitted with two lenses of identical focal length, one mounted atop the other. The lower, or taking, lens focuses its image directly on the film, while the image produced by the upper viewing lens is reflected through 90 degrees by a mirror, and brought to focus on a horizontal ground-glass focusing screen." The images on the film path will turn out sharp. Single-Lens Reflex Cameras: This camera type is one of the most popular today and also known as a "SLR". SLR's photograph and view through the same one lens. "Light passing through the lens is reflected by a mirror and brought to focus on a ground glass. The mirror causes a reversal of the image seen on the ground glass, but the addition of a pentaprism mounted over the ground glass allows the camera to be used at eye level, with the image seen upright and in proper left/right orientation. An instant before the exposure is made, the mirror swings upward, and the shutter is activated. A single control cocks the shutter for the next exposure, advances the film, and returns the mirror to focusing position." Point and Shoot Cameras: This camera is ideal to take on vacations, with traveling, or for group photos because of it's added focus abilities. "These cameras will often have an infrared focus system in them that bounces infra red light out of the camera like radar and determines the distance to the subject." These cameras usually have a fairly wide angle lens forcing you to have to get up close with your subject. "...this type of camera will work for assignments that do not require using special exposure or shutter techniques because these cameras are usually fully automatic."
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