Black and White Photography

There are other types of cameras available for a wide variety of basic to specialized
uses. Some are designed to take snapshots, but also can be used for advanced
and even professional photography. Others are made for a specific way
of working. The viewing and focusing systems used on these models also vary,
from simple to complex—and it follows that some are cheap and others are
quite expensive. The camera types described below include point-and-shoot,
twin-lens-reflex, and digital.
Point-and-shoot. The point-and-shoot category covers a lot of territory, from
cheap disposable cameras to costly high-end models. What all types share,
however, is ease of use and either automatic or fixed focus, making them very
convenient for times when you cannot or do not want to think about adjusting
focus or other camera controls manually. Most point-and-shoots take 35mm
film or are digital.
With the most inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras, you compose your
subject through an open window located on the top left or center of the camera
back. The viewfinder shows approximately what the final photograph will look
like. With such cameras no focus is necessary, because the lens is designed and
preset by the manufacturer to produce a sharp image from a distance that
ranges from about 4 or 5 feet away from your subject to infinity.
While some point-and-shoot cameras are simple and allow limited or no
focusing, many models come with a zoom lens, built-in flash, and sophisticated
automatic focus and exposure. On a typical point-and-shoot, you have to hold
the shutter button halfway down to activate and achieve focus, and the camera
sets the exposure settings (f-stop and shutter speed) for you.
Some point-and-shoot cameras are quite sophisticated—and expensive—
offering excellent quality lenses and some measure of focus or exposure control.
Many advanced and professional photographers use such point-and-shoot
models for subjects that call for a casual and spontaneous approach.
The instant camera is a special type of point-and-shoot camera. Most instant
cameras take Polaroid brand films that self-develop in a matter of minutes.
Over the years, there have been sophisticated SLR and rangefinder instant
cameras—and there are film backs that take instant film for professional
cameras—but the most familiar models use a simple viewfinder for composing
the picture and either focus automatically or require no focusing at all.
Twin-lens-reflex (TLR). A twin-lens-reflex (TLR) camera has two lenses stacked
one over the other. On top is the viewing lens, through which you compose and
focus your subject; on the bottom is the taking lens, through which you expose
the film to light.