revolving back

Definition: Design of film-holder, film magazine or digital back of camera which can be rotated about the optical axis to change format or alignment. * Essential in waist-level viewing cameras to allow landscape or portrait format to be easily chosen as desired. When revolving is easiest way to be lining up It is much easier to line up the revolving back on large-format camera with, say, the horizon than to struggle with the tripod head -- and it is also far more precise.

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