BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Camera's Functions

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June 03, 2003

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June 04, 2003

On lens:
(a) Lens aperture ring showing f-stops (controls how much light the lens lets through)
(b) Focusing ring

On body:
(a) Film advance lever
(b) Rewind release button or switch (releases film advance sprockets so film can be rewound)
(c) Film rewind knob (often also used to open camera back)
(d) Shutter speed dial (controls how long the shutter stays open)
(e) Film speed dial almost always marked in ASA/ISO, but may have DIN equivalent numbers (to bias camera's metering to film speed being used).
(f) On/off/mode switch; allows switching between manual/auto/program exposure. Some allow switching off the metering entirely; others will simply shut down to a very low power "idle" mode. It may or may not have a "program" mode that selects both shutter and lens aperture(which I don't use anyway). If there is an "auto exposure" mode, whether it is aperture or shutter priority depends on camera model (you set one and the camera sets the other).

Sometimes on lens or body:
(a) Depth of field preview button/switch and location depends on camera design; some have this on the lens, some have it on the body, and some do not have a DOF preview feature. This stops the lens down to its aperture setting so you can get an idea about the image's depth of field (what will be in/out of focus).
(b) Lens release button that allows dismounting of lens.

You need to find an owner's manual for your specific camera. Even though I've handled many cameras and can pick up nearly any manual wind/focus/exposure SLR and at least load film into it and operate it, there are always things in the manaul that are not necessarily that obvious about special markings and settings. The manual often has some tips and tricks for using your camera more efficiently and effectively. One manual I have for a 50 year old rangefinder shows how to use its *knob* winder very quickly to advance to the next frame, and I would have never guessed how to do this on my own.

-- John

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June 08, 2003