35mm Camera Types

The 35mm format dominates film photography. Standardised in the 1930s, it offers the best balance of image quality, camera size, and versatility. But within this format exists enormous variety—from professional SLRs to shirt-pocket compacts.

This guide explains 35mm camera types, their strengths, and how to choose between them.

The 35mm Format

Frame Size

Standard 35mm: 24mm × 36mm (864 mm²)

The aspect ratio is 2:3—the same as modern digital full-frame cameras and standard 4×6 inch prints.

Film Type

35mm film comes in light-tight cassettes (also called cartridges or canisters). Standard rolls contain 24 or 36 exposures. The film has sprocket holes along both edges for camera transport mechanisms.

SLR Cameras (Single Lens Reflex)

How SLRs Work

The key mechanism: A mirror between lens and film reflects the image up through a pentaprism (or pentamirror) to the viewfinder. You see through the actual taking lens.

During exposure: The mirror flips up, the shutter opens, light reaches the film. Then the mirror returns for the next shot.

SLR Advantages

What you see is what you get:

• Viewfinder shows exact lens coverage
• No parallax error
• See effects of filters and accessories
• Critical focus visible

Interchangeable lenses:

• Wide-angle to telephoto
• Macro lenses
• Specialty lenses
• System expandability

Through-the-lens metering:

• Accurate exposure measurement
• Works with any lens
• Compensates for filters automatically

Depth of field preview:

• See actual focus range
• Evaluate backgrounds

SLR Disadvantages

Size and weight:

• Mirror box adds bulk
• Pentaprism adds height
• Heavy compared to rangefinders

Mirror slap:

• Vibration from mirror movement
• Affects sharpness at certain speeds (1/15-1/2s)
• Noise from mechanism

Finder blackout:

• View blocked during exposure
• Mirror-up time varies

Complexity:

• More moving parts
• More potential failure points

Manual SLRs

Characteristics:

• Full manual control
• Mechanical operation (most)
• Simple, reliable
• Long battery life (meter only)

Examples:

• Nikon FM2, FM3A
• Canon AE-1, A-1
• Pentax K1000, MX
• Olympus OM-1, OM-2
• Minolta X-700

Best for: Learning, reliability, manual control enthusiasts.

Autofocus SLRs

Characteristics:

• Automated focusing
• Often motorised film advance
• Multiple exposure modes
• More battery dependent

Examples:

• Nikon F100, F5
• Canon EOS 1V, EOS 3
• Minolta Maxxum 9
• Pentax MZ-S

Best for: Action, convenience, those who want modern features.

Rangefinder Cameras

How Rangefinders Work

The focusing mechanism: Two windows create overlapping images in the viewfinder. Turning the focus ring aligns the images—when aligned, focus is correct.

No mirror: Light goes directly to film; separate optical viewfinder.

Rangefinder Advantages

Compact size:

• No mirror box
• Shorter lens flange distance
• Lighter overall

Quiet operation:

• No mirror slap
• Leaf shutters on some (even quieter)
• Better for discreet shooting

Always-visible viewfinder:

• No blackout during exposure
• See action before and during shot

Excellent wide-angle lenses:

• Short back focus allows simple wide designs
• High-quality compact wide-angles

No mirror vibration:

• Sharper at slow speeds
• Better for handheld low-light

Rangefinder Disadvantages

Parallax error:

• Viewfinder offset from lens
• Close-up framing inaccurate
• Corrections needed for near subjects

Limited lens selection:

• Fewer lenses than SLR systems
• Long telephoto impractical
• No through-lens viewing of effects

Focusing limitations:

• Rangefinder accuracy varies
• Difficult in low light
• Limited close focus

No depth of field preview:

• Can't see actual focus plane
• Must estimate from experience

Classic Rangefinders

Leica M-series:

• M6, M7, MP
• Legendary build and optics
• Very expensive
• Excellent resale value

Voigtländer Bessa:

• Bessa R series
• More affordable M-mount option
• Good value

Japanese rangefinders:

• Canon 7, P
• Nikon S-series
• Minolta CLE
• Often excellent value used

Fixed-Lens Rangefinders

Characteristics:

• Non-interchangeable lens
• Often more compact
• Generally more affordable

Examples:

• Olympus 35 SP
• Canonet QL17
• Yashica Electro 35
• Konica Auto S3

Best for: Street photography, compact carry, budget entry.

Compact Cameras

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Characteristics:

• Automatic everything
• Small, pocketable
• Fixed lens (usually zoom or wide-normal)
• Autofocus

Premium compacts:

• Contax T2, T3
• Yashica T4/T5
• Ricoh GR1
• Nikon 35Ti, 28Ti

Consumer compacts:

• Olympus Stylus/Mju series
• Canon Sure Shot series
• Nikon L35AF series

Advantages:

• Convenient, always-ready
• Often sharp prime lenses
• Unobtrusive

Disadvantages:

• Limited control
• Battery dependent
• Flash often poor
• Can't override easily

High-End Compacts

The "premium compact" category deserves special attention.

What makes them special:

• Excellent fixed prime lenses
• Quality viewfinders
• Reasonable manual control
• Premium build quality

Contax T2/T3:

• Zeiss lenses (38mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/2.8)
• Titanium bodies
• Highly sought after
• Very expensive now

Yashica T4/T5:

• Zeiss Tessar lens
• More affordable than Contax
• Point-and-shoot operation
• Cult following

Ricoh GR1:

• 28mm f/2.8 lens
• Compact body
• Manual control available
• Street photographer favourite

Half-Frame Cameras

What Is Half-Frame?

Frame size: 18mm × 24mm (half of standard 35mm frame)

Result: 72 exposures on a 36-exposure roll.

Half-Frame Advantages

Twice the frames:

• More shots per roll
• Lower cost per image
• Longer shooting sessions

Compact cameras:

• Smaller than full-frame equivalents
• Very portable

Creative aspect:

• Portrait-oriented by default
• Diptych possibilities

Half-Frame Disadvantages

Smaller negative:

• Less resolution
• More visible grain at same print size
• Limited enlargement

Orientation:

• Natural orientation is vertical
• Must rotate for landscape shots

Half-Frame Cameras

Olympus Pen series:

• Pen F, Pen FT (SLRs)
• Pen EE, Pen EES (fixed lens)
• Most popular half-frame system

Canon Demi:

• Fixed-lens compacts
• Various models

Yashica Samurai:

• Unique vertical grip design
• 35-70mm zoom
• SLR system

Speciality Cameras

Panoramic Cameras

Hasselblad XPan:

• Switches between 35mm and panoramic (24×65mm)
• Rangefinder design
• Premium price

Horizon cameras:

• Rotating lens design
• Curved film plane
• Soviet/Russian origin

Disposable/Single-Use Cameras

Characteristics:

• Pre-loaded with film
• Fixed focus
• Built-in flash
• Return whole camera for processing

Modern use:

• Events, parties
• Backup camera
• Worry-free situations
• Some have decent optics (Kodak FunSaver)

Weatherproof Cameras

Examples:

• Nikonos series (underwater)
• Minolta Weathermatic
• Konica Genba

Choosing a Camera Type

By Shooting Style

By Priority

Maximum control:

• Manual SLR
• Mechanical rangefinder

Maximum convenience:

• Autofocus SLR
• Premium compact

Maximum portability:

• Compact cameras
• Half-frame
• Small rangefinder

Maximum versatility:

• SLR system with multiple lenses

By Budget

Budget (Under £100):

• Consumer compacts
• Japanese fixed-lens rangefinders
• Older manual SLRs (Pentax K1000, Canon AE-1)

Mid-Range (£100-400):

• Quality manual SLRs (Nikon FM2, Olympus OM-1)
• Autofocus SLRs
• Canonet rangefinders

Premium (£400+):

• Leica rangefinders
• Premium compacts (Contax T2)
• Professional SLRs (Nikon F3, Canon F-1)

Metering Systems

Manual Exposure (No Meter)

Cameras: Many pre-1960s cameras, some current (Leica M-A).

Requires: External meter or Sunny 16 rule.

Advantage: No batteries needed, purely mechanical.

Match-Needle Metering

How it works: Needle in viewfinder moves with light level; adjust until centered.

Cameras: Nikon F2, Canon F-1, many 1970s SLRs.

Advantage: Intuitive, quick to learn.

LED Metering

How it works: LEDs (often three: over/correct/under) indicate exposure status.

Cameras: Nikon FM2, Olympus OM-2, many 1980s cameras.

Advantage: Clear indication, visible in low light.

Automatic Exposure

Aperture priority (Av/A): You set aperture, camera sets shutter.

Shutter priority (Tv/S): You set shutter, camera sets aperture.

Program (P): Camera sets both.

Cameras: Most post-1970s SLRs, all AF SLRs.

Summary

SLRs:

• Through-the-lens viewing and metering
• Interchangeable lenses
• Larger and heavier
• Best for: versatility, serious photography

Rangefinders:

• Compact and quiet
• Separate viewfinder (parallax)
• Excellent wide-angle lenses
• Best for: street, travel, discreet shooting

Compacts:

• Pocketable convenience
• Automatic operation
• Limited control
• Best for: always-have-it camera, casual use

Half-frame:

• Twice the shots per roll
• Smaller negative, more grain
• Best for: experimental, budget shooting

Choosing depends on:

• Your shooting style
• Portability needs
• Budget
• Desired control level

Every type has produced masterpieces. The best camera is one you'll actually carry and use. Start with what appeals to you, learn its strengths and limits, and expand from there.