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Television Production & Broadcast Journalism
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Convertible Cameras
A convertible camera may be purchased with a variety of accessory
packages that make it operational in a studio, as a portable fi eld camera, or
both. Many small-scale studios purchase convertible cameras because they
are adaptable to a variety of situations and are often less expensive than
larger studio cameras.
The studio package confi guration of a convertible camera includes a
CCU and a viewfi nder (a small television monitor). Studio viewfi nders
usually measure at least 5″ diagonally. The camera operator stands several
feet behind the camera, so the image must be large enough to be seen at
that distance.
A remote camera package confi guration usually includes a small view
screen that folds out from the body of the camera and/or a viewfi nder
built into the camera body. The operator is likely to have the camera on his
shoulder with his right eye pressed against the eyecup of the viewfi nder,
so a larger viewfi nder is not necessary.
Smartphone Cameras
Oftentimes, the best camera is the one that’s in your pocket, and hav-
ing an HD camera in your pocket can be a very powerful thing. Almost
every major event is now captured on video, be it a riot in a street or a
tornado devastating a community. Smartphone cameras have come a long
way and the technology behind them is growing exponentially. There are
even festivals dedicated to videos shot on smartphones. Camera support
companies are building rigs specifi cally to support this growing market.
Video specifi c apps and the playability of video on social networking sites
have also contributed to more and more content being produced directly
from smartphones. The smartphone should not be thought of as a replace-
ment for a camcorder. Its primary purpose is still to make phone calls and
lacks on-board tactile focus and exposure control. But a smartphone can
defi nitely work in a pinch!
convertible camera: A
camera with a variety of
accessory packages available
to make it operational in a
studio, as a portable field
camera, or both.
Portable
hard drive
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 3-6. A portable
hard drive attaches to the
back of the camera on the
battery mount. The battery
is attached to another
mount on the opposite
side.