Operating Your Own
35mm film Camera

​1) Required: Owners Manual for your camera

A camera manual is a necessity to finding out details about your camera's operation. Locate your manual online and either print it (only need to print the operation instructions) and save it to your computer/phone. Find yours here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/

Required: Watch this Video about to Load a 35mm SLR Film Camera

2) Required: You must learn how your camera works. Come after school to extra help if you need more specific one on one instruction on how your unique camera works

3) Watch this video for camera basics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU1FR6HbaBo
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4) Basic Camera Parts:
​(copy picture "Camera Diagram" into notes for credit From Notes from 10-19-15)

Students are responsible for knowing the parts of a basic 35mm SLR Film Camera. Students must also demonstrate that they know the function of the parts, how to load and rewind film, and show how to operate our class cameras because they will be using these class cameras in school, and their own cameras at home. Three-four rolls of Black and white 35mm film is supplied for Photography 1. 

Battery Cover - This is where the battery is stored. Sometimes the battery only functions to run the light meter, and the camera will work even if the battery is dead. Sometimes the battery is necessary to run the camera itself, in that case, always remember to shut the battery off to conserve battery life!

Depth of field Scale – Tells you the depth or amount of space that will be in focus. 

Distance Scale – Tells you at what distance point the lens is focused on. 

Exposure Counter - Tells you how many pictures you have remaining

Film Advance Lever - Used to rotate the film inside the camera in order to take a new picture.
 
ISO or Film Speed Dial- must be set to the speed or sensitivity of the film you are using. (we use mostly ISO100 film) This is because the light meter needs that rating in order to give you the correct exposure for that type of film.

Hot Shoe or flash shoe– Where the connection of the removable flash mounts, remember you need to set the speed of the shutter to the red or orange colored number on the shutter speed dial to sinc shutter to flash

Focusing Ring – Adjusts the focus in the image that you see by turning it left or right, unless you have an automatic focusing feature-then you can let the camera focus (either set it to AF auto focus or MF manual focus)

Rewind Button - Press to release your roll of film before rewinding the film back into the canister. If you don't the sprocket holes will tear!!!

Rewind Knob – Mechanism used to rewind the film back into the canister. make sure it is pushed down so it engages.

Shutter Release Button - The button you press, that opens the shutter and takes the photograph. Sometimes in the center of the film advance lever, sometimes separate, near it.

Tripod Socket - Part of the camera you can screw on to a tripod. It is a universal thread-should fit any camera to any tripod

Shutter Speed Dial – A dial that indicates the speed at which the shutter is opening and closing.

Viewfinder - The window you look through to see what you are shooting.