a small distance scale representing the correct lens-film setting for the subject at that distance.
Toronto. In the late 1800s when film came along, a simple swapping of media/ground glass in the camera was no longer an option. Initially box camera designs were used with fixed lenses of small apertures/large f-stops allowing everything from 6-10 feet to infinity to be in focus which worked okay in bright sunlight.
To allow more sophisticated cameras to vary the aperture size/lighting, a scheme was worked out where the lens to film distance was changed and the distance displayed on a scale that matched the estimated camera to subject distance. The camera usually had a small viewfinder to set the framing of the subject.
You may find a box camera design or one of the distance setting ‘rack and pinion’ style cameras (eg a Kodak folder) at a 2026 PHSC event like the Spring Fair. The Fair arrives at the Trident Hall May 24th. A poster and directions will be pinned to the top of this site as we approach the date.
