_The French hand-held camera_ uses 13 × 18 centimeter plates, carried in a deMaria magazine, and has a lens of 26 centimeters focus. The shutter is the Klopcic self-capping type already described, and is removable. The camera body, built of sheet aluminum, takes a pyramidal shape. In Fig. 38, _A_ is the shutter release and _B_ the rectangular sight, of which _C_ is the rear or eye sight. The complete sight may be placed either on the top or on the bottom of the camera. At _D_ are the handles, sloping forward from top to bottom; _E_ is a catch for holding the magazine; _F_ is a door for reaching the back of the lens and the lens flap; _G_ is a snap clasp for holding the front door of the camera closed; _H_ is a ring for attaching a strap to go around the observer's neck; _I_ is the lever which opens the flap behind the lens and releases the focal-plane shutter; _J_ is a snap catch for holding the front door of the camera open. The operations with this camera are three in number. Starting immediately after the exposure, the camera is pointed lens upward and the plate changed by pulling the inner body of the magazine out and then in; next the shutter is set; then the camera is pointed, and finally exposed by a gentle pull on the exposing lever. _The English hand-held camera_ (Fig. 186). This differs from the French in the size of plate (4 × 5 inch), in the shape of the camera body, which is circular, and in the type of shutter, which is fixed-tension variable-opening. In the longer focus camera (10 to 12 inch) the shutter is self-capping, and the aperture is controlled by a thumb-screw at the side. In the smaller (6 inch) a lens flap is provided in front of the lens and the shutter aperture is varied by a sliding saddle and cord. The handles of the camera are placed vertical, instead of sloping as in the French. The shutter is released by a thumb-actuated lever. Double dark slides are used, as the multiple plate magazine has not found favor in the English service. _The German hand-held camera_ (Fig. 42). The German hand-held camera is, like their whole series, built of canvas-covered wood, the body having an octagonal cross-section. It is equipped with the Ica shutter and uses the Ernemann six plate (13 × 18 cm.) magazine. The excellent system of grips by which the camera is held and pointed is an especially commendable feature. On the right-hand side is a handle similar to the French type, but carefully shaped to fit the hand. The left-hand grip consists of a long, rounded block of wood running diagonally from top to bottom of the side, with a deep groove on the forward side for the finger tips, while over the hand is stretched a leather strap, the whole aim being to provide an absolutely sure and comfortable hold on the camera during the plate changing and shutter setting operations. [Illustration: FIG. 39.—Front view of U. S. aerial hand camera, showing lens flaps partly open, and details of tube sight.]