Animation camera

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An animation camera manufactured by Crass, Berlin, in 1957.

A motion picture camera specially adapted for frame-by-frame shooting animation or stop motion, also called a rostrum camera. It consists of a camera body with lens and film magazines, a stand that allows the camera to be raised and lowered, and a table, often with both top and underneath lighting. The artwork to be photographed is placed on this table.

Some manufacturers of animation cameras:

Acme (USA)
Crass (Germany)
Neilson-Hordell (UK)
Oxberry (USA)
Sickles (USA)
Double M (USA)
A.I.A. Productions (USA)

Since most animation is now produced digitally, new animation cameras are not widely manufactured. Video cameras and scanners have taken their place.

The Bell & Howell 2709 (Design 27, first made in 1909) is the prototype of the Acme, and the Acme is the prototype of the Oxberry. Each employs a fixed pin and "shuttle" movement mechanism for film registration and film advancement, respectively. Other names associated with Acme were Producer's Service Corporation and Photo-Sonics.