Parts of the Camera

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It’s more than just a little black box.

If you are using a fully adjustable camera to take pictures, all of the dials and buttons may seem a little daunting, but they don’t need to. While some cameras have more controls than others, there are a few basic controls most adjustable cameras have in common.

Film Advance

Lever

Shutter

Speed

Dial

Viewfinder

(in back)

Hot shoe for flash

Shutter release button

Prism

(inside)

ASA/ISO

Dial

Aperture

Ring

Focusing

Ring

Self-Timer for shutter release

Lens

• The ASA/ISO dial lets you tell the camera what speed film you are using. Slower speed films require more light than faster films. The light meter inside the lens area will measure the amount of light you need based on the setting of the

ASA/ISO dial.

• The aperture ring contains the F-stop settings. By moving this ring manually, you tell the camera how large you want the lens opening to be.

• The focusing ring is a manual adjustment that lets you move the lens in or out until your subject is sharp and clear.

• The lens is the most important part of the camera. Picture quality can only be as good as your lens quality. The lens must be kept clean, because any debris on it will show up on the film.

• The self-timer for the shutter release is handy if you are taking a picture of a group of people and you wish to be a part of the group. It allows you to set the camera and gives you a few seconds to position yourself before the picture is taken.

• The shutter release is the button you press to take the picture.

• The film advance lever allows you to move the film to the next frame.

• The shutter speed dial contains settings which determine how long the lens will remain open.

• The viewfinder allows you to see the same image your camera sees. It works with a prism and mirrors, and allows you to compose your scene before you take the picture.

• The hot shoe is a connection for a flash attachment. When your shutter speed dial is set on 60 (there is usually a lightning bolt image next to the 60 to remind you to set the camera on this number for flash pictures), the flash connected to the hot shoe will fire at precisely the exact second the lens is opened.