Half-frame camera: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Camera, uses the original silent film cinema format 18 × 24 mm}} |
{{Short description|Camera, uses the original silent film cinema format 18 × 24 mm}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=February 2023}} |
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A '''half-frame camera''' is a camera using a film format at half the usual exposure format. A common variety is the 18×24 mm format on regular [[135 film]]. It is the normal exposure format on 35mm movie cameras. For still cameras using the 35mm film, the [[35mm format|usual format]] is 24×36 mm, so still cameras taking 18×24 mm exposures are called half-frame cameras. |
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A '''half-frame camera''' is a [[Photographic film|film]] camera using a film format of half the usual exposure format of a full frame 35mm film camera. this is commonly expressed, more technically, as 18×24 mm using 18×24 mm of a regular [[135 film]]. It is closer to the normal frame size of a 35 mm motion film. This leaves half frame cameras to derive their film plate size from the aspect ratio, and frame size that was first designated by [[Thomas Edison]] (24.89 by 18.67 millimetres or 0.980 by 0.735 inches) at the dawn of the motion picture industry.<ref>{{cite book|last=Belton|first=John |title=Widescreen Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PKUfAQAAIAAJ |year=1992 |publisher=Harvard University Press |location=Cambridge, Mass. |isbn=978-0-674-95261-4 |pages=17–18}}</ref> |
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Traditionally, the additional film width on motion picture film is used for audio, in later film standards, although the original patent for sound on film is derived from the 1880s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fayne|first=John G.|date=|title=(History of) Motion Picture Sound Recording|url=https://www.aes.org/aeshc/pdf/frayne_[history-of]-motion-picture-sound-recording.pdf|access-date=February 26, 2023|website=The Journal of [[Audio Engineering Society]]}}</ref> However, for still cameras using the 35 mm film, the [[35mm format|usual format]] is 24×36 mm. When half frame cameras are used however, they take an 18×24 mm exposure and therefore are called "half-frame" as they [[camera exposure|expose]] half of the film plate size of 35mm stills cameras despite its similarity in width to 35 mm film when used in motion picture cameras. <ref>{{cite book|last=Belton|first=John |title=Widescreen Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PKUfAQAAIAAJ |year=1992 |publisher=Harvard University Press |location=Cambridge, Mass. |isbn=978-0-674-95261-4 |pages=17–18}}</ref> |
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There was a vogue of half-frame cameras in the 1960s, mainly from Japan, originating with the [[Olympus Pen]] models. It allowed for a very compact camera, using commonly available film, unlike other [[Subminiature photography|subminiatures]] that used exotic films (16mm, 9.3mm, etc.). |
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Half frame came into vogue, as a shooting experience, as a cheaper option to full frame cameras in the 1960s, this trend developed mostly out of Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=WiYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA114&dq=%22half+frame%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirwK_i8rL9AhXBsFYBHWNjAcUQ6AF6BAgDEAI#v=onepage&q=%22half%20frame%22&f=false |magazine=[[Popular Science]] |location=United States |publisher=[[Bonnier Corporation]] |date= 1965 |access-date= February 26, 2023}}</ref> The half frame trend began its origins with cameras such as the [[Olympus Pen]] models.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://books.google.com.au/books?id=WiYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA114&dq=%22half+frame%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirwK_i8rL9AhXBsFYBHWNjAcUQ6AF6BAgDEAI#v=onepage&q=%22half%20frame%22&f=false |magazine=[[Popular Science]] |location=United States |publisher=[[Bonnier Corporation]] |date= 1965 |access-date= February 26, 2023}}</ref> Half frame cameras allowed for more compact cameras, to exist alongside full frame cameras, particularly in rangefinder styled cameras, due to the lack of a traditional mirror, using a much smaller, "rangefinder" styled mirror, along with the smaller frame size and therefore smaller lenses required. The smaller lenses could cover the smaller [[Image circle|imaging circle]]<ref>Adams, Ansel. 1980. ''The Camera''. The New Ansel Adams Basic Photography Series/Book 1. ed. Robert Baker. Boston: New York Graphic Society. {{ISBN|0-8212-1092-0}}</ref>. This resulted in far smaller cameras such as the Olympus Pen cameras.<ref>https://apenasimagens.com/en/focal-length-image-circle</ref> |
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This vogue ended when cameras like the [[Rollei 35]] or the [[Olympus XA]] showed that it was possible to make cameras as small as the half-frame ones, but taking 24×36 mm exposures. |
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Meanwhile, in the 1960s, along with a growing list of smaller full frame cameras such as the [[Instamatic|Kodak Instamatic]] in 1963, the concerns about the economic benefits of half frame photos began to appear. <ref>{{cite book |last= Hirsch |first= Robert |author-link= Robert_J._Hirsch |date= 2013 |title= Exploring Color Photography Fifth Edition |
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A half-frame camera fits twice as many photos on to a standard roll of film. For example 72 exposures on a 36-exposure roll, 48 on a 24-exposure roll, and so on. Color film was expensive during the heyday of the half-frame camera, and the use of half-frame saved money. However, the image quality was reduced as it was half the size of standard 35mm film. |
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From Film to Pixels |url= https://doi.org/10.4324/9780240813363 |location= New York|publisher= Routledge |page= 29 |isbn= 9781136089749}}</ref> While allowing 72 shots on a standard 36 shot roll seemed economically beneficial, when taken into account of the reduced image quality, the benefits did not provide the average photographer with a better shooting experience they may have been looking for. This would also became true for many other formats including [[110 film]] and [[Advanced Photo System|APS film]] that attempted to and failed to augment 35 mm film. <ref>{{cite book |last= Hirsch |first= Robert |author-link= Robert_J._Hirsch |date= 2013 |title= Exploring Color Photography Fifth Edition |
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From Film to Pixels |url= https://doi.org/10.4324/9780240813363 |location= New York|publisher= Routledge |page= 29 |isbn= 9781136089749}}</ref> |
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However unlike APS, as a separate format, half frame survives as it can be shot on standard 35 mm film. Half frame cameras take on the additional number of shots through taking 72 shots on a 36 shoot (35mm) or 48 shots on 24 shot (35mm) by using half of the frame. <ref>{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=8yADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA127&dq=shooting+half+frame+on+35mm&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH8oiLhLr9AhUiFLcAHQM_CikQ6AF6BAgCEAI#v=onepage&q=shooting%20half%20frame%20on%2035mm&f=false |magazine=[[Popular Science]] |location=United States |publisher=[[Bonnier Corporation]] |date= 1963 |access-date= February 26, 2023}}</ref> On half frame cameras this can still be achieved today by using modern film produced by companies such as [[Fujifilm|Fuji]] and [[Kodak]] in the 35 mm format. |
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The exposures have a vertical (portrait) orientation as opposed to the horizontal (landscape) orientation of a 35mm SLR or rangefinder, with the exception of cameras whose film mechanisms run vertically (examples include the Konica Recorder and Belomo Agat 18). |
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While a half-frame camera fits twice as many photos on to a standard roll of film, for example 72 exposures on a 36-exposure roll, and 48 on a 24-exposure roll, the loss of quality, and change in crop factor affected sales. Camera users with specific use case lenses would also be confounded by the crop factor of half frame and the change in focal length. Even where color film was expensive during its peak and it was expected half-frame cameras would save money, thus the use of half-frames, the economic factors did not align with consumer choices when half frame was compared with 35 mm photographic film. However, due to the fact that half frame cameras use standard 35 mm film stocks, "half frame" continues to exist as a [[Niche market|niche]] [[Photograph manipulation|photographic]] [[Film format|format]] to the present date. The irregular [[Fiducial marker|frame markers]] and its novelty of exposing two frames on one [[Slide projector|slide]] or [[film negative|negative]] has led to the growth of half frame cameras as a [[picture book]] format allowing photographers to convey meaning through multiple images in on frame. |
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The most advanced half-frame camera that was designed as such from the start is the [[Yashica]] Samurai single lens reflex. |
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Yet, these benefits are confounded, with the nature of the exposures of a half frame camera that have a vertical (portrait) orientation as opposed to the horizontal (landscape) orientation of a 35 mm SLR or rangefinder with the exceptions being cameras at the time that chose to use vertically run film mechanisms (examples including the Konica Recorder and Belomo Agat 18). The necessity to hold a half frame camera in portrait orientation to take a landscape photo did not always align with consumers choices for numerous reasons, but predominately ergonomic factors. The half frame camera can be seen as defying traditional camera [[Human factors and ergonomics|ergonomics]] often due to the nature of having to hold the camera vertically to take a horizontal shot leading to rejection of the format through confusion. Although more recently through social media, the portrait aspect has been seen as beneficial, particularly with Instagram changing from the 1:1 aspect ratio to 4:5 and 9:16 to fit more image on a phone/tablet device. The 3:4 aspect ratio of half frame photos can easily be cropped to 4:5 in portrait orientation without a significant reduction in image quality producing an "Instagram ready" photo shooting experience among younger photographers using half frame cameras. This has been reinforced by Kodak's reintroduction of half frame cameras<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martyr |first=Johnny |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Camera Review: Out-Of-The-Box Fun |url=https://petapixel.com/2022/07/12/kodak-ektar-h35-half-frame-camera-review-out-of-the-box-fun/ |website=PetaPixel}}</ref> through the Kodak [[Ektar#Early use of name|Ektar]] branded H35 half frame camera. |
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Technologically, the most advanced electronic half-frame camera, that is designed as such from its design inception, is the [[Yashica]] Samurai single lens reflex.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Keppler's SLR World Samurai: Autofocus zoom half frame SLR! |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=r9C54oBQRLgC&dq=%22half+frame%22+camera+history&pg=PP72 |magazine= [[Popular Photography]] |location= Los Angeles |publisher= Diamonds Communications Inc. |date= 1988 |access-date= February 26, 2023}}</ref> Although, the earlier Olympus PEN and Konica Auto Reflex reached a pinnacle for mechanical half frame cameras, from the 1960s onwards, by offering fully functional rangefinder styled options such as the Olympus Pen and SLR options respectively that remain popular among film shooters today.{{cn|date=February 2023}} |
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The Nickelodeon Photoblaster was a quarter-frame camera. |
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[[File:Vintage Konica Auto-Reflex 35mm SLR Film Camera, Made In Japan, First Focal-Plane-Shutter Auto Exposure 35mm SLR, Circa 1966 (13490913093).jpg|thumb|A [[Konica Autoreflex|Konica Auto Reflex]] full/half-frame SLR, with hot shoe "eye piece" adapter attached for electronic X flash cable attached units or manual bulbs.]] |
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The Konica Auto Reflex can also switch between full and half frame while shooting and at the same time. The Auto Reflex SLR gives access to the full Konica AR lens library in half frame, and additionally Nikon F, M42, and Leica M mount with adapters under the provision of stop down metering. Konica at the time created a camera with some deliberation, that due to its lens flange register, and therefore mount distance, could be used by photographers from other brand manufacturers with simple lens mount adapters. The diversity in technology showed that multiple manufacturers would try to define their specific visions for the half frame format at the peak of half frame cameras. |
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| ⚫ | In other usage cases, for half frame cameras, for some specific needs, there were cameras originally designated for use as full-frame cameras that were produced or custom modified in very small production runs as half-frame models, for example some [[Leica Camera|Leica]] (1950 made in Canada Leica 72), [[Nikon]] (1960–61 Nikon S3M 18x24mm rangefinder, Nikon FM2 SLR), [[Konica]] ([[Konica FT-1|FT-1]] Pro Half) or [[Robot (camera)|Robot]] (Robot 24x24mm camera) rangefinders, and some [[Alpa]] (Alpa 18x24 SLR) and [[Minolta]] SLRs.<ref>A batch of 30 Minolta X-300 35 mm full-frame SLRs custom modified to half-frame for the police in the Netherlands ''[http://www.mi-fo.de/forum/index.php?showtopic=18900 Forum article in German Minolta-Forum as of 2007]''</ref> These limited production run cameras are mainly of interest as collectibles rather than daily use cameras. Due to [[scarcity value]] these cameras attract more value as a stock commodity than as a commonly used camera. In other cases, the smaller size of the cameras at the time, coupled with the increase in image quality saw half frame as a viable replacement option for the [[110 film]] format.{{cn|date=February 2023}} |
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* [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/half/halformat1s.html A list of half-frame cameras, by Massimo Bertacchi] |
* [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/half/halformat1s.html A list of half-frame cameras, by Massimo Bertacchi] |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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Revision as of 09:26, 1 March 2023
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A half-frame camera is a film camera using a film format of half the usual exposure format of a full frame 35mm film camera. this is commonly expressed, more technically, as 18×24 mm using 18×24 mm of a regular 135 film. It is closer to the normal frame size of a 35 mm motion film. This leaves half frame cameras to derive their film plate size from the aspect ratio, and frame size that was first designated by Thomas Edison (24.89 by 18.67 millimetres or 0.980 by 0.735 inches) at the dawn of the motion picture industry.[1]
Traditionally, the additional film width on motion picture film is used for audio, in later film standards, although the original patent for sound on film is derived from the 1880s.[2] However, for still cameras using the 35 mm film, the usual format is 24×36 mm. When half frame cameras are used however, they take an 18×24 mm exposure and therefore are called "half-frame" as they expose half of the film plate size of 35mm stills cameras despite its similarity in width to 35 mm film when used in motion picture cameras. [3] Half frame came into vogue, as a shooting experience, as a cheaper option to full frame cameras in the 1960s, this trend developed mostly out of Japan.[4] The half frame trend began its origins with cameras such as the Olympus Pen models.[5] Half frame cameras allowed for more compact cameras, to exist alongside full frame cameras, particularly in rangefinder styled cameras, due to the lack of a traditional mirror, using a much smaller, "rangefinder" styled mirror, along with the smaller frame size and therefore smaller lenses required. The smaller lenses could cover the smaller imaging circle[6]. This resulted in far smaller cameras such as the Olympus Pen cameras.[7]
Meanwhile, in the 1960s, along with a growing list of smaller full frame cameras such as the Kodak Instamatic in 1963, the concerns about the economic benefits of half frame photos began to appear. [8] While allowing 72 shots on a standard 36 shot roll seemed economically beneficial, when taken into account of the reduced image quality, the benefits did not provide the average photographer with a better shooting experience they may have been looking for. This would also became true for many other formats including 110 film and APS film that attempted to and failed to augment 35 mm film. [9]
However unlike APS, as a separate format, half frame survives as it can be shot on standard 35 mm film. Half frame cameras take on the additional number of shots through taking 72 shots on a 36 shoot (35mm) or 48 shots on 24 shot (35mm) by using half of the frame. [10] On half frame cameras this can still be achieved today by using modern film produced by companies such as Fuji and Kodak in the 35 mm format.
While a half-frame camera fits twice as many photos on to a standard roll of film, for example 72 exposures on a 36-exposure roll, and 48 on a 24-exposure roll, the loss of quality, and change in crop factor affected sales. Camera users with specific use case lenses would also be confounded by the crop factor of half frame and the change in focal length. Even where color film was expensive during its peak and it was expected half-frame cameras would save money, thus the use of half-frames, the economic factors did not align with consumer choices when half frame was compared with 35 mm photographic film. However, due to the fact that half frame cameras use standard 35 mm film stocks, "half frame" continues to exist as a niche photographic format to the present date. The irregular frame markers and its novelty of exposing two frames on one slide or negative has led to the growth of half frame cameras as a picture book format allowing photographers to convey meaning through multiple images in on frame.
Yet, these benefits are confounded, with the nature of the exposures of a half frame camera that have a vertical (portrait) orientation as opposed to the horizontal (landscape) orientation of a 35 mm SLR or rangefinder with the exceptions being cameras at the time that chose to use vertically run film mechanisms (examples including the Konica Recorder and Belomo Agat 18). The necessity to hold a half frame camera in portrait orientation to take a landscape photo did not always align with consumers choices for numerous reasons, but predominately ergonomic factors. The half frame camera can be seen as defying traditional camera ergonomics often due to the nature of having to hold the camera vertically to take a horizontal shot leading to rejection of the format through confusion. Although more recently through social media, the portrait aspect has been seen as beneficial, particularly with Instagram changing from the 1:1 aspect ratio to 4:5 and 9:16 to fit more image on a phone/tablet device. The 3:4 aspect ratio of half frame photos can easily be cropped to 4:5 in portrait orientation without a significant reduction in image quality producing an "Instagram ready" photo shooting experience among younger photographers using half frame cameras. This has been reinforced by Kodak's reintroduction of half frame cameras[11] through the Kodak Ektar branded H35 half frame camera.
Technologically, the most advanced electronic half-frame camera, that is designed as such from its design inception, is the Yashica Samurai single lens reflex.[12] Although, the earlier Olympus PEN and Konica Auto Reflex reached a pinnacle for mechanical half frame cameras, from the 1960s onwards, by offering fully functional rangefinder styled options such as the Olympus Pen and SLR options respectively that remain popular among film shooters today.[citation needed]
.jpg)
The Konica Auto Reflex can also switch between full and half frame while shooting and at the same time. The Auto Reflex SLR gives access to the full Konica AR lens library in half frame, and additionally Nikon F, M42, and Leica M mount with adapters under the provision of stop down metering. Konica at the time created a camera with some deliberation, that due to its lens flange register, and therefore mount distance, could be used by photographers from other brand manufacturers with simple lens mount adapters. The diversity in technology showed that multiple manufacturers would try to define their specific visions for the half frame format at the peak of half frame cameras.
In other usage cases, for half frame cameras, for some specific needs, there were cameras originally designated for use as full-frame cameras that were produced or custom modified in very small production runs as half-frame models, for example some Leica (1950 made in Canada Leica 72), Nikon (1960–61 Nikon S3M 18x24mm rangefinder, Nikon FM2 SLR), Konica (FT-1 Pro Half) or Robot (Robot 24x24mm camera) rangefinders, and some Alpa (Alpa 18x24 SLR) and Minolta SLRs.[13] These limited production run cameras are mainly of interest as collectibles rather than daily use cameras. Due to scarcity value these cameras attract more value as a stock commodity than as a commonly used camera. In other cases, the smaller size of the cameras at the time, coupled with the increase in image quality saw half frame as a viable replacement option for the 110 film format.[citation needed]
External links
References
- ^ Belton, John (1992). Widescreen Cinema. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-0-674-95261-4.
- ^ Fayne, John G. "(History of) Motion Picture Sound Recording" (PDF). The Journal of Audio Engineering Society. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ Belton, John (1992). Widescreen Cinema. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-0-674-95261-4.
- ^ Popular Science. United States: Bonnier Corporation. 1965 https://books.google.com.au/books?id=WiYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA114&dq=%22half+frame%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirwK_i8rL9AhXBsFYBHWNjAcUQ6AF6BAgDEAI#v=onepage&q=%22half%20frame%22&f=false. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Popular Science. United States: Bonnier Corporation. 1965 https://books.google.com.au/books?id=WiYDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA114&dq=%22half+frame%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirwK_i8rL9AhXBsFYBHWNjAcUQ6AF6BAgDEAI#v=onepage&q=%22half%20frame%22&f=false. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Adams, Ansel. 1980. The Camera. The New Ansel Adams Basic Photography Series/Book 1. ed. Robert Baker. Boston: New York Graphic Society. ISBN 0-8212-1092-0
- ^ https://apenasimagens.com/en/focal-length-image-circle
- ^ Hirsch, Robert (2013). Exploring Color Photography Fifth Edition From Film to Pixels. New York: Routledge. p. 29. ISBN 9781136089749.
{{cite book}}: line feed character in|title=at position 42 (help) - ^ Hirsch, Robert (2013). Exploring Color Photography Fifth Edition From Film to Pixels. New York: Routledge. p. 29. ISBN 9781136089749.
{{cite book}}: line feed character in|title=at position 42 (help) - ^ {Cite web |url=https://books.google.com.au/books?id=8yADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA127&dq=shooting+half+frame+on+35mm&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH8oiLhLr9AhUiFLcAHQM_CikQ6AF6BAgCEAI#v=onepage&q=shooting%20half%20frame%20on%2035mm&f=false |magazine=Popular Science |location=United States |publisher=Bonnier Corporation |date= 1963 |access-date= February 26, 2023}}
- ^ Martyr, Johnny (July 12, 2022). "Kodak Ektar H35 Half Frame Camera Review: Out-Of-The-Box Fun". PetaPixel.
- ^ "Keppler's SLR World Samurai: Autofocus zoom half frame SLR!". Popular Photography. Los Angeles: Diamonds Communications Inc. 1988. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ A batch of 30 Minolta X-300 35 mm full-frame SLRs custom modified to half-frame for the police in the Netherlands Forum article in German Minolta-Forum as of 2007
This article was originally based on "Half-frame" in Camerapedia, retrieved at an unknown date under the GNU Free Documentation License.
