reflex camera

[ ree-fleks kam-er-uh ]

noun

1. a camera in which the image appears on a ground-glass viewer focusing screen after being reflected by a mirror or after passing through a prism or semitransparent glass; in one type single-lens reflex camera, or single-lens, light passes through the same lens to both the ground glass and the film, while in another type twin-lens reflex camera, or twin-lens reflex, light passes through one lens viewing lens to the ground glass and through a second lens taking lens to the film, the lenses being mechanically coupled for focusing.

reflex camera

noun

1. a camera in which the image is composed and focused on a large ground-glass viewfinder screen. In a single-lens reflex the light enters through the camera lens and falls on the film when the viewfinder mirror is retracted. In a twin-lens reflex the light enters through a separate lens and is deflected onto the viewfinder screen

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflex camera¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

I'll introduce them: Please meet Marie, my very little daughter, and Ref, my very big reflex camera.

From Project Gutenberg

A reflex camera is of course the ideal instrument for the purpose, for sharp focusing is so easy and so necessary.

From Project Gutenberg