Camera Obscura (DCB)

While technically the eighth Camera Obscura to be introduced in the Fatal Frame Series, this camera's origin and history are exactly the same as the second. However, in terms of gameplay, it is very different.

History of the Camera

This camera was created as a prototype for Dr. Kunihiko Asou's research into photographing the 'Other World'. Dr. Asou gave this specific camera to his close friend, the folklorist Seijiro Makabe, for his research on the Minakami region.

Seijiro used the camera to take a photograph of Sae and Yae Kurosawa, as well as several sites around the village. However, his curiosity to learn more about the secret rituals of the village got the better of him, and he was imprisoned and used as a Kusabi. The camera was left abandoned in the Osaka House, where it stayed for years until Mio Amakura and her twin sister Mayu found the Lost Village.

Mio takes the camera and uses it to aid her in her exploration of the village, the rescue of her sister and, foremost fight the ghosts that are attacking her in an attempt to force her completion of the ritual.

As Mio explores, she finds that two ghosts are immune to the camera's effects, the laughing girl covered in blood and the Kusabi. In fact, at one point while running from the girl, Mio actually drops the camera and has to survive during a portion of the game without any source of defence. She is finally able to regain her camera and continue.

Fate of the Camera

It is not clear what happens to this camera. In the Abyss and Frozen Butterfly endings, Mio is seen dropping it on the ground in the Abyss cavern. In the other endings, including the canon ending, it does not appear at all.

It is more than likely this camera was left near the Abyss, before the village was destroyed.

Owners

• Dr. Kunihiko Asou
• Seijiro Makabe
• Mio Amakura

Deaths from Overexposure?

None; however, there is a theory that Seijiro Makabe was suffering from the camera's dangerous side effects.

Upgrading & Equipment

Upgrading
The Camera Obscura in Deep Crimson Butterfly does not require spirit orbs for upgrading. Instead, spirit points alone are used. These can be obtained by fighting hostile ghosts, photographing vanishing ghosts and finding Blue and Red spirit stone shards.

Films
The films available for use with this camera are: Type 07 (unlimited), Type 14, Type 61, Type 90 and Type Zero.

Lenses

For the first time in the series, this camera allows players to use multiple lenses (up to three) simultaneously, rather than switching between them. Lenses are assigned a colour depending on their function: Red lenses enhance attack power, Blue lenses inhibit ghosts, and Green lenses help the player. The player can equip one lens of each colour, and all three lenses will be triggered in one shot.

Lenses can only be used when the lock-on function is engaged.

• Red Lens: Blast
• Red Lens: Butterfly
• Red Lens: Crush
• Red Lens: Zero
  

• Blue Lens: Drain
• Blue Lens: Slow
• Blue Lens: Stun
• Blue Lens: Tether

• Green Lens: Fatal
• Green Lens: Restore
• Green Lens: Reward
• Green Lens: See

Functions

• Enhancement: Evade
• Enhancement: Infinite
• Enhancement: Optimal
• Enhancement: Sense

Types of Shots

• Close Shot
• Core Shot
• Double Kill
• Double Shot
• Fatal Frame Shot
• Fatal Time Kill
• Just Kill
• Max Shot
• Synchro Shot
• Triple Kill
• Triple Shot
• Zero Shot

Capture Circles

This camera returns to the original charge system, whereby charge points are accumulated by keeping the circle centred on the ghost for an uninterrupted period of time. A Shutter Chance is indicated by a red ring around the charge circle. Unlike the original PS2 and Xbox versions of Fatal Frame II, this camera charges a complete circle rather than a partial one.

Gameplay Tips

• The camera's lock-on function does not automatically centre ghosts. Try tilting the Wii Remote to aim.