How a 35mm SLR Camera works
May 27th, 2009 | By Mark | Category: Arts, PhotographyThe 35mm SLR Camera is a relatively simple piece of machinery.
SLR Camera
The light enters through the lens, passing through the aperture, and is reflected by the mirror through the matte focusing screen into the Pentaprism, and finally out of the viewfinder.
When the photographer presses the shutter release button, the mirror swings up in a ‘reflex’ action allowing the light to pass directly through onto the photographic medium (in this case the 35mm film).
The main sections are labelled in the diagram below.
It should be pointed out that not all SLRs are built like this but this is the ’standard’ layout for the common SLR (if such a thing exists).
35mm SLR Camera Parts
- Pentaprism
- This glass prism allows the photographer to view exactly what the lens is ‘seeing’ and therefore what the film will eventually be exposed to. The important feature here is that the image is not reversed or upside down, but is displayed in the correct orientation.
- Film Rewind
- This allows the exposed 35mm film to be rewound back into its cartridge.
- Lens
- The picture is formed and focused through the lens onto the film.
- Aperture
- This is basically a ‘hole’ through which light is passed by the lens onto the film.
- Mirror
- The mirror reflects the image the lens is ‘seeing’ up and through the pentaprism so the photographer can view the image prior to releasing the shutter. When the shutter is released, the mirror swings out of the way.
- Shutter
- The shutter allows light from the lens to hit the film thus exposing the film. The length of time the shutter is open depends on the setting selected by the shutter speed control (see below).
- Self Timer
- A self timer allows the photographer to set up the shot, and still be in the final image by releasing the shutter after a pre-determined time.
- Shutter Release
- Opens the shutter for the duration specified by the shutter speed control (see below)
- Film Advance
- This lever (or wheel in some cases) advances or winds the film onto the next unexposed frame in the film.
- Shutter Speed Control
- This sets the length of time that the shutter is open for.
- Viewfinder
- This allows the photographer to view the image presented through the pentaprism.
~Mark~
