Camera for Bird Photography
Bird Images Large Enough to Show Identification Markings are Obtained with This Camera
A reasonably large image must be obtained in photographing bird life, or the details of plumage and identification are lost, reducing the value of the pictures. The “gun camera” shown in the photograph was devised for this purpose, and with it exposures may be made more quickly than with the telephoto type of camera, a feature of great value in this class of photography. The device consists of an ordinary reflecting-type camera, mounted on a carriage for ready portability and quick adjustment. The bellows is supplemented with a tube, permitting the use of lenses of upward of 30-in. extreme focus. This gives a larger image without loss in speed. A ¹⁄₄-in. image of a bird was obtained with a 7¹⁄₂-in. extreme-focus lens, as against a 2-in. image with one of 30-in. focus, from the same position. The lens is set near the rear end of the tube, giving a deep hood for shading the sunlight. Lenses of an old type, known as “Long Toms,” were used. They are inexpensive compared with newer types with iris diaphragms, and give good results even at ¹⁄₁,₀₀₀ exposures.—Arthur Farland, New Orleans, La.