What is a 35MM Camera?

A 35mm camera is a camera that uses standard 35mm film. 35mm film is one of the most popular film sizes in the history of film photography. This film size, which gets its name from the 35mm width of the film strip, has been in use since the late 1800s. There are a number of types of 35mm cameras.

History of 35mm Film

The 35mm film standard was developed by Thomas Edison and produced by George Eastman, who founded the Eastman Kodak company. The film was originally designed for motion picture films sprocket to aid in movie production and projection.

The First 35mm Still Camera

Although the first still 35mm camera was developed for experimental use in 1913, the first production 35mm camera, the Leica I, was released in 1925.

Viewfinder 35mm Cameras

Early 35mm cameras were designed to be compact and easy to use. Focusing was accomplished by estimating the distance from the camera to the subject, and setting the distance on a focusing ring.

Rangefinder 35mm Cameras

Because it was difficult to focus viewfinder cameras, rangefinders were developed. A rangefinder uses a prism and a mirror to create two separate images. As a lens is focused, the prism moves. Focusing a rangefinder is a matter of lining up the two images.

Single Lens Reflex (SLR) 35mm cameras

Because the viewfinder was offset from the lens, what the photographer saw through the viewfinder was not necessarily the exact image that was captured through the lens. This led to the 1936 development of the single lens reflex (SLR) 35mm camera. An SLR takes the light from a single lens and reflects it through a viewfinder. The photographer sees the exact image that will be captured on film.