Exploring the Hardware of a 1980s/90s Camera

Exploring the Hardware of a 1980s/90s Camera

Key Components :
Lens: Most cameras from this era used interchangeable lenses, especially in SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) cameras. Common focal lengths included 50mm, 35mm, and 28mm lenses.

Film: 35mm film was the standard, with options for different ISO speeds (e.g., 100, 200, 400).

Shutter: Mechanical shutters were common, but electronic shutters began to appear, offering more precise control over exposure times.

Light Meter: Built-in light meters helped photographers determine the correct exposure settings. Multi-segment light metering systems became more common.

Viewfinder: SLR cameras had a pentaprism viewfinder, allowing photographers to see exactly what the lens saw.

Autofocus: Early autofocus systems started to appear in the late 80s, although manual focus was still prevalent.

Flash: Built-in flash units were standard, with some cameras offering hot shoe mounts for external flashes.

Battery: Cameras typically used AA or specialized batteries (e.g., PX-76, MS76) to power electronic components.

Film Advance Mechanism: Most cameras had a manual film advance lever, although some models introduced motorized film advance.

Film Rewind Mechanism: Manual rewind knobs or motorized rewind systems were used to rewind the film back into the cassette.