Charge Couple Device (CCD) –A dimesized component

of the camera head into whichlight enters and is converted into

an electronic signal.The video signal exits on theopposite side of the CCD andenters the rest of the camera.

Gain – The strength of thevideo signal.

Viewfinder A small video monitorattached to the camera that allowsthe camera operator to view theimages in the shot.

Zebra Stripes A special function on some viewfinders that displaysblack and white diagonal stripeson any object in a shot that is toobrightly lit.

Lens : An assembly of severalglass discs placed in a tube attached to the front of the camera.

Focus :The act of rotating thefocus ring on the camera until thelines of contrast in the image areas sharp as possible.

Auto-Focus : A common featureon consumer cameras that keepsonly the center of the picture in focus.

Zoom lenses : A camera lensassembly that is capable ofmagnifying an image merely bytwisting one of the rings on the outside of the lens housing.

Also called a variable focallength lens.

Zoom in :The act of rotating a ring on the zoom lens so that thecenter of the picture appears to be moving toward the camera.

Zoom out:The act of rotating a ring on thezoom lens so that the center ofthe picture appears to be movingaway from the camera.

Optical Center:The physical location withinthe lens assembly where an image is inverted.

Also called the focal point

Focal length:The distance (measured inmillimeters) from the optical center, or the focal point, of thelens assembly to the back ofthe lens assembly.

Variable focal length:A lens in which the optical centercan vary its position within thelens assembly, varying the focallength measurements as well.

Also called a zoom lens.

Aperture :The opening, adjustedby the iris, through which lightenters into the lens.

Iris:A component of a lens that iscomprised of blades that physically expand and contract,adjusting the aperture size.

Auto-iris circuit:A feature on many consumerand professional cameras thatautomatically examines the lightlevels coming into the cameraand adjusts the iris according togeneric standards of a good picture.

F-stop:A camera setting that determinesthe amount of light passing through the lens by controlling thesize of the iris.

Docking:The process of attaching thecamera head and recordertogether to make a larger “camcorder”

Subjective camera:A hand-held camera technique,in which the camera itselfbecomes the eye of one castmember. The viewers see theworld through the eyes of thatcharacter.

Pedestal column:A column in the center of a tripodused to raise or lower the camera

Pedestal control:A crank on the side of the pedestalcolumn that twist a gear to raiseand lower the pedestal column

Hot:The state of a video camerawhen the image is being captured by the camera and is being recorded.

Tripod head:The assembly at the top of thepedestal column to which the camera attaches

Pan handle:A device attached to the backof the tripod head that allowsthe camera operator to movethe tripod head while standingbehind the tripod.

Pan:The horizontal movement of the camera.

Tilt:The vertical movement of thecamera.

Friction head:A mounting assembly on sometripods that stabilizes the camerausing the pressure created when two pieces of metal are squeezedtogether by a screw.

Fluid head:A mounting assembly on sometripods that stabilizes the camerausing the pressure between twopieces of metal and a thick fluidthat provides additional resistanceto movement.

Camera Care and MaintenanceCleaning a Dirty Lens

• Never touch a lens with your bare fingers• Never use a cloth ortissue moistened with saliva to wipe a lens clean.

Saliva ruins the lens!

Camera Care and MaintenanceCleaning a Dirty Lens

• Wipe dirt away usingphotographic lens paperonly• Use compressed air froma can to blow dirt off a lens.Never try to blow the dirt offwith your mouth!

Post-Production Camera Care

• Lock pedestal and cameramounting head to preventmovement while not in use.• Close the iris and attach thelens cap.

Post-Production Camera Care

• Move the camera to a safelocation within the studio

Guidelines for care of camcorders:• Remove the videotape from thecamcorder.• Close the iris and attach the lenscap• Power-off all the camera functions

(light, microphone, recorder)

Guidelines for care of a camcorder• Detach the camera from the tripod when transporting equipment• Place the camera in its case for storage and transport.