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Why were Daguerreotype cameras not intended for the general public?

User Todd Hoff
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer:

The exposure time was vastly too long to be intended for practical use by photographers.

Step-by-step explanation:

"The very first daguerreotype cameras could not be used for portraiture, as the exposure time required would have been too long. The cameras were fitted with Chevalier lenses which were 'slow' (about f/14). They projected a sharp and undistorted but dim image onto the plate."

User SurenSaluka
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