Scheimpflug principle.
(pronounced, approximately, “shime-fluke.”) A geometric rule which affects correct focus of view cameras with movements.
There are three planes of concern when focussing a view camera - the image (film) plane, the lens plane and the subject (point at which the camera is focussed) plane. If these three planes are precisely parallel to one another then a focussed image will appear sharp across the entire image area. Tilting one of these planes will result in the area in focus changing. The image area will be in focus solely at the point where the three planes intersect.
The rule is named after Austrian army officer Theodor Scheimpflug (1865-1911), though he himself was not the first to describe it. French builder of scientific instruments Jules Carpentier (1851-1921) is believed to have that honour, though he’s largely forgotten today.
cf. film plane, movements, perspective control lens, plane, tilt-shift lens, view camera.
Entry last updated 2002-05-09. Term 1065 of 1487.
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