Stat camera

A stat camera is a large-format vertical or horizontal stationary camera used to shoot film for camera-ready artwork, and sometimes called a copy camera. This is a large bellows-type camera which consists of the copy-board, bellows and lens, and filmboard. The vertical type can take up relatively little space, while the horizontal fills two rooms; bellows, lens, and copyboard on one side of the wall; filmboard and darkroom on the other. The type of film used is black and white "orthochromatic"; i.e., it is more sensitive to some colors than others. Guidelines, or "keylines" are created in light blue which read as white; while anything red or close to a red hue appears as black. The stat camera would be used to shoot color separations (using hue filters for each of the four process colors) and to produce halftone film for printing using a special reticulated gel mask. Screen printers will use the films, or 'positives', to expose the silk screen.

What are the uses for a stat camera?

Using a "stat camera" is the most popular technique for generating positives needed to create photo-stencils. The stat camera is a large camera that works with particular photographic paper or film. "High contrast" materials are what these unique paper or films are. They can this only detect or see black and white images. Additionally, these materials produce a positive print without the need for a negative. These camera come from a wide variety of manufactures and models. A darkroom is required for several of these camera, and "safelight" handling procedures must be followed when handling the materials. The type of camera you'll be using is referred to as a "daylight" model. The materials are manageable in a room with standard lighting. This greatly improves the cameras usability. [1]

How are the images produced?

In earlier models, the developer had to remove the film from the camera after exposure and develop the picture in trays. The "daylight" versions often use an internal processor that scans the film within the camera. "Diffusion transfer" materials are the name given to the materials. An "imager" and a "receiver" are used in these materials. The camera receives the imager and makes the exposure on it. It is then pressed onto the "receiver" material in the processor after being carried there by the camera. After then, the substance "diffuses" or evolves. After that, they are separated, and the imager is discarded. The "receiver" is the one that is kept and turned into a "positive". [1]

This process is invaluable to direct preservation of artwork, since the digital camera mimics lighting settings, and there is no scanner big enough to encompass such works.