Camera Obscura

Created by: Dr. Kunihiko Asou
Other names: Shadow Obscure, Black Camera and Shaeiki
Games: Fatal Frame, Fatal Frame II (DCB), Fatal Frame III, Fatal Frame IV, Spirit Camera and Fatal Frame V

Quote: "So this is the Camera Obscura... It takes pictures of impossible things..."

The Camera Obscura (射影機, shaeiki) is a special type of camera in the Fatal Frame Series that has the ability to exorcise ghosts using different types of film. It is the player's main defence against the ghosts encountered throughout the series.

The camera is one of many paranormal devices created by Dr. Kunihiko Asou, an occultist, philosopher, and folklorist. His research is known as "Mystical Science". Early in his life he was inspired by the practice of postmortem photography, and created his own camera for the purpose, but was not satisfied with merely capturing images of dead bodies; he wished to create a camera that could capture an image of the soul itself,^[1] and find proof of the Other World. Throughout his life, Dr. Asou continued his research to improve his Camera Obscura, travelling the country to study the mystical properties of various artefacts and creating many prototypes along the way. After Dr. Asou's death, his inventions became a popular collectible for enthusiasts. Many of the cameras are scattered throughout Japan.^[2]

As well as exorcising spirits, the Camera Obscura is also used during gameplay to reveal hidden elements of the environment, solve puzzles and obtain hints about where to go next. Its filament detects violent and nonviolent ghosts nearby, showing red/orange for violent and blue for nonviolent. The camera can be upgraded during gameplay (each camera's method is different; see upgrading the camera for more info). The higher the level, the more effective the camera will be. The Camera Obscura can also be equipped with different lenses and enhancements obtained during the games, which make it more powerful.

Dangerous Side Effects

Main Article: Overexposure

The Camera Obscura is still considered a dangerous object, as over-usage of the camera can inflict disastrous side-effects on its user. Overuse of the camera may result in the user being driven insane by what they see, and this can cause them to commit suicide.

Main Article: Spirited Away

Extended use also increases the risk of being attacked by spirits, and in some cases being spirited away, leaving only the camera behind. In modern times, rumours of these dangers spread, but collectors were still known to seek them out.^[3]

Cameras in the Fatal Frame Series

Fatal Frame

Main article: Camera

The first Camera Obscura in the Fatal Frame series is only ever called the 'Camera' in English, though it is still called the shaeiki in Japanese. This camera is considered to be Dr. Asou's most complete Camera Obscura. It uses a piece of the Holy Mirror from Himuro Mansion to work properly. The camera is given to Mikoto Munakata by the girl in the white kimono. How the camera ended up in the mansion in the first place is a mystery, but supplementary material for Fatal Frame II mentions that Asou went missing after planning to visit Himuro Mansion.^[4]

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly

Main article: Camera Obscura (FF2)

The second camera in the series was a prototype that Dr. Asou gave to his friend Seijiro Makabe to aid him in his research. It is in Fatal Frame II that the term 'Camera Obscura' is first used, and it can even be seen in the very early translation drafts used in the August 2003 prototype of the game. Mio Amakura finds the camera tossed away in a corner of the Osaka House in Minakami Village.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly (FPS)

Main article: FPS Camera Obscura

This camera was specially designed for the Xbox release of Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly. It is used in the FPS mode of the game, and has its own unique capture circle and camera interface. Within the story, it is considered to be the same as the normal Camera Obscura seen in Fatal Frame II.

Fatal Frame III: The Tormented

Main article: Camera Obscura (FF3)

Another one of Dr. Asou's cameras. Versions of this camera exist both in the real world and the dream world. The version of the camera that exists in the real world does not work (and is also a save point in the game), while the camera in the dream world does work properly. The original camera belonged to the folklorist Akito Kashiwagi, who brought it to the Kuze Shrine with him. When the shrine fell into the Rift and became the Manor of Sleep, a version of the camera was preserved there, too. Decades later, Kei Amakura found the original camera in the ruins and sent it to his friend, Yuu Asou. Although it no longer works, it retains a mystical connection with the version that exists in the dream world, and some photos taken in dreams will appear on old film inside the real camera.

Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse

Main articles: Camera Obscura (FF4) and Misaki's Camera Obscura

Main Camera Obscura ("Lunar Eclipse" Camera Obscura)
This camera has a moon and cloud-like design, reminiscent of cloudy-moon carvings that are significant on Rogetsu Isle. Its charge circle mimics the phases of the moon. Dr. Asou donated this camera to Rogetsu Isle as a token of his appreciation for their assistance, which helped him improve the design. It is found by Madoka in a broken display in the Asou Museum, and later used by Ruka Minazuki. There are other cameras in the room all displayed on a separate case, though it is unknown if these cameras function the same way as the other Camera Obscuras.

Misaki/Asou Family's Camera Obscura

Misaki Asou's Camera Obscura has a plainer design. It is a prototype, the first of Asou's devices to successfully capture residual emotions from the past, and he left in the keeping of his descendants.^[5] Misaki removed the camera from its protective wards and took it to the island with her.^[6]

Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir

Main article: Camera Obscura (SC)

Nothing is known about the history of the Camera Obscura used in Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir, except that it appears to have belonged to the player character since before the start of the game. Unlike other cameras in the series, the Camera Obscura in Spirit Camera is quite basic. It cannot be upgraded and only consumes one type of film, which seems similar in damage and recharge period to Type-14 Film. Like in the original game, combos and Fatal Frame shots cannot be achieved. When the player takes damage, a "cracked glass" effect appears on the screen for a few seconds. Its few lenses are used to solve puzzles rather than to aid in battle.

Fatal Frame: Deep Crimson Butterfly

Main article: Camera Obscura (DCB)

This camera's origin and history are exactly the same as the Camera Obscura in Fatal Frame II, but changes were made in terms of gameplay. For the first time in the series, this camera allows players to use multiple lenses (up to three) simultaneously, rather than switching between them. The charge depends on how long the ghost has been inside the capture circle rather than its proximity to the protagonist, and Fatal Frame IV's lock-on feature has been added as an adaptation to the Wii Remote. Additionally, Spirit Orbs are no longer used; only spirit points are necessary to upgrade.

Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

Main articles: Camera Obscura (FF5) and Ren's Camera Obscura

Main Camera Obscura

This camera was given to Hisoka Kurosawa by a local family after the owner died.^[7] Hisoka, Yuri Kozukata and Miu Hinasaki all use this camera, while Ren Hojo carries a different one.

Ren's Camera Obscura

A camera passed down in a branch of the Asou Family and inherited by Ren Hojo. It was put away in a box along with a book and a lock of hair. Ren lends the camera to Hisoka, asking her to find out about its history, and she confirms it is a rare Camera Obscura. Ren uses it to investigate Mount Hikami.

Cameras in Expanded Universe Material

A Curse Affecting Only Girls & Fatal Frame: The Movie

In the novel, the camera belongs to Susumu Kusakabe. He inherited it from his late father, who owned a photo studio. The history of the camera is unknown, and in the novel, it is never referred to as a Camera Obscura (shaeiki). It is noted to be able to take pictures of spirits invisible to the naked eye, but it is not used to exorcise spirits, so the extent of its power in that regard is uncertain.

In the movie, the camera was once used in Kusanagi Photo Studio to take pictures of girls who wished to participate in a Ghost Marriage, and the photographs were enshrined in the studio. Several other cameras are seen in a case in the same room. Susumu Kusanagi uses the camera to take pictures around the town, and it is his photo of Maya Tsukimori that causes the curse to begin spreading throughout the school.

Shadow Priestess

This Camera Obscura is an heirloom of the Washizuki family, who have served as Shadow Priestesses at Karasawa Shrine for generations. It belonged to Sara's great-great-grandmother; it is not known where she obtained it, or whether it was a creation of Dr. Asou. The Camera Obscura was passed down in the female line of the family, and used by the Shadow Priestess to purify evil spirits. The power of the camera depends on the strength of the priestess's will.

Taking Pictures

Viewfinder

The viewfinder is the screen that appears once the camera is raised. Entering viewfinder mode allows you to take photographs. Viewfinder mode shows the selected Basic Function/lens, capture circle, health bar, and filament. In Spirit Camera, viewfinder mode is the default view throughout the game.

Photo Album

In earlier games, photos taken with the Camera Obscura can be saved to photo albums on the PS2's memory card or the Wii's memory.

The album can be accessed through "Album" on the menu at a save point. Photos can then be placed into the album and saved. Each album has a photo limit (24 for Fatal Frame, 16 for the others). Pictures can also be deleted from the album from the menu inside the album screen. If the album is not saved after each edit the changes will be lost. After filling an album a new one must be created or old pictures deleted from the filled album.

In Fatal Frame IV, any photos not saved to an album at the end of each chapter will be automatically deleted.

Spirit List

The Spirit List is included in every game of the main series. In the first games, it lists most ghosts photographed (attacking, vanishing and hidden ghosts all appear), whereas in Fatal Frame V, vanishing ghosts are no longer included, and there are no hidden ghosts to be photographed.

Fatal Frame Spirit List - 108 (PS2) / 119 (Xbox). Completing it unlocks the "Zero" Special Function.
Fatal Frame II Spirit List - 152 (PS2) / 178 (Xbox). Completing the PS2 version of the spirit list unlocks the Serial lens and promotional artwork. Completing the Xbox version of the spirit list unlocks these along with the Type G costume.
Fatal Frame III Spirit List - 217 (PS2). Completing it unlocks Miku and Rei's Headband accessory, and Kei's White Glasses accessory.
Fatal Frame IV Spirit List - 233 total / 227 captured (Wii). Completing it unlocks the Festival function, although this is impossible in the original due to a glitch. This glitch was fixed in the remaster.
Deep Crimson Butterfly Spirit List - 190 (Wii). Completing 100 entries or more unlocks the Maid accessories.
Fatal Frame V Spirit List - 40 (original) / 209 (remaster). Completing it unlocks the Lens "See".

Fighting Ghosts

The main feature of the Fatal Frame series is fighting ghosts with the camera. Upon being attacked by a hostile ghost, the character must use the camera to exorcise and fend off the ghost.

Capture Circles

Main article: Capture Circle

Each camera in the Fatal Frame series has its own unique capture circle. This circle is the targeting system for the Camera Obscura. It serves as an indicator to find hidden spirits, spiritual phenomena, or as a way to attack hostile ghosts. In each installment of the series (and even sometimes within console versions) the camera/circle are different.

Filaments

Main article: Filaments

The Filament is the coloured bar that appears on the Camera Obscura and game screen, that tracks ghosts and indicates the presence of ghosts. When an attacking, vanishing, or hidden ghost is nearby, the filament will react and begin to glow. The glow intensifies as the spirit gets closer, or is more accurately aimed at.

Types of Shots

Main article: Camera Shots

Throughout the series, there are many different shots the camera can take to battle ghosts with.

Upgrading the Camera

Fatal Frame, Fatal Frame III, Fatal Frame V, and Deep Crimson Butterfly

Points obtained from photographing ghosts must be used to upgrade each of the camera's functions or power-up lens levels. In Deep Crimson Butterfly, Blue and Red spirit stone shards will also award the player a random number of spirit points.

Fatal Frame II

Before a function can be upgraded with points, a spirit orb must first be used in the slot you wish to upgrade. Spirit orbs must be obtained from battling ghosts and around the village before they can be used with a slot. After inserting the spirit orb, obtained points can be used to upgrade the function or lens.

Fatal Frame IV

Blue and red crystals must be found around the island, or in Mission Mode, to upgrade basic functions and lenses. The amount of each crystal picked up is random. Points are no longer used for upgrades.

Camera Equipment

Camera Films

Main article: Films

In the Fatal Frame Series, there are several different kinds of film that can be used in conjunction with the Camera Obscura. Over the course of the series, different kinds of camera film have been available for use. These films range from the weakest Type-07 film to the strongest Type-零 film.

Camera Lenses

Main article: Lenses

Lenses were first introduced in Fatal Frame II. They have many uses, such as inflicting higher damage on ghosts. They are picked up like normal items around the game.

Camera Functions

Main article: Functions

Functions (called Special Functions in Fatal Frame, Equipment in Fatal Frame III, and Enhancements in Deep Crimson Butterfly) are special abilities in each game that enhance the performance of the camera. They are unlocked in various ways, from beating the game on certain modes to completing the spirit list or Mission Mode. Uses of these functions include the ability to zoom in and out, automatically track ghosts, and shoot without expending film.

Spirit Orbs

Spirit Orbs are used to upgrade the Camera Obscura in Fatal Frame II. They are found randomly when defeating ghosts and around the village. One must be put into each empty slot in the camera's functions and lenses, and then used with points to upgrade.

Crystals

In Fatal Frame IV, blue and red crystals are used to upgrade the Camera Obscura and the Spirit Stone Flashlight. They replaced the old upgrade system of points and/or Spirit Orbs. They reappear in Deep Crimson Butterfly, but are not directly used to upgrade the camera. Instead, they are worth points.

Special Abilities

Main Article: Special Abilities

Only in Fatal Frame III, these are special character-specific add-ons that are used in conjunction with the Camera Obscura.

Owners/Users