Components in a Camera
All still cameras have the same general components, but the design and
arrangement of these components distinguish one type of camera from
another and make them especially suited to specific uses. These
components are:
-
Camera lens, usually consisting of
several glass and air elements, to form the image and put it on the
camera sensor or film.
-
Focusing mechanism for the camera lens to
allow it to focus on subjects at various distances.
-
Camera viewfinder or LCD display to allow
image composition; this may be a separate device or simply a ground
glass at the film plane for film camera that can be removed or
displaced for insertion of the film holder.
-
Camera shutter to keep the image-forming
light off the camera sensor or film until the desired moment, to
control the time that the light is on the sensor or film and thereby
assist correct exposure of the image, and to determine the degree to
which motion is "stopped."
-
An iris diaphragm, to control both the
amount of light reaching the camera sensor or film (in conjunction with
the shutter) and the depth of field in the image.
-
A light-tight container for film camera
to hold the film ready for exposure; this may be a separate item or it
may be part of the camera itself.
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