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Common Vintage Camera Terms Explained - OldCamsByJens
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Common Vintage Camera Terms Explained

by Jens Bols 23 Feb 2025
Common Vintage Camera Terms Explained - OldCamsByJens

Becoming familiar with some of the most common vintage camera terms is one of the first things to do when you start your analog photography journey, or just photography in general. These terms are used in both modern-day and vintage photography. Below, I will go over some of the most common terms in depth. Enjoy this short guide.

 

For Lenses

Aperture zoom in

Aperture

Also known as the eye of your camera, the aperture controls how much light enters by adjusting the size of the opening in the lens. You’ve probably heard of f-stops like f/2.8, f/5.6, and f/16. A smaller f-stop number (like f/2.8 or f/1.4) means a wider aperture, allowing more light to pass through, which creates a shallow depth of field—great for blurry background effects. A higher f-stop (like f/16) reduces the light entering and increases depth of field, keeping more of the image in focus.

Focal Length

Everytime you see a lens there will a focal length written on the name ring or on the lens body. An example could be Canon FD 135mm f2.8 where 135mm would be the focal length.

Focal length is the distance between the lens and the film and affects how much of the scene you capture. A lower focal length (like 28mm) gives you a wide-angle view, while a higher focal length (like 85mm or 135mm) zooms in closer to subjects. Some lenses have a range of focal lengths, known as zoom lenses (e.g., 35-70mm), allowing you to switch between wide and zoomed-in views without changing lenses.

Depth of Field (DOF)

Depth of field refers to how much of an image appears sharp and in focus. A shallow depth of field (achieved with a wide aperture like f/2.8) keeps only the subject sharp while the background blurs beautifully. A deep depth of field (using a smaller aperture like f/11 or f/16) keeps everything in focus. Many photographers love the "Bokeh" effect, which appears at wide apertures (f/1.4 or lower). More on Bokeh below.

Manual Focus

Unlike modern autofocus lenses, vintage cameras often require you to manually adjust the focus ring on the lens. This allows for precise control but takes some practice. Many cameras use a focusing aid like a split-prism or rangefinder patch to help you achieve sharp images. Additionally, lenses have distance markings to help you estimate focus without looking through the viewfinder.

Bokeh

Bokeh refers to the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, often created by using a wide aperture. Different lenses produce different bokeh effects, with some rendering smooth and dreamy blurs, while others create more defined shapes. The shape of bokeh depends on the number of aperture blades in the lens—more blades create rounder bokeh, while fewer blades can produce polygonal shapes.

 

For Cameras

Shutter Speeds

Shutter speed determines how long your camera’s shutter stays open when taking a photo. It’s measured in fractions of a second (like 1/500s, 1/60s, or even 1s). Faster speeds (like 1/1000s) freeze motion, perfect for capturing action shots. Slower speeds (like 1/30s or lower) let in more light but can cause blur if the camera isn’t steady. For example, a passing race car shot at 1/15s will appear streaked due to movement, whereas at 1/1000s, it will appear sharp as if frozen in time.

ISO

ISO measures your camera film’s sensitivity to light. A lower ISO (like 100 or 200) is great for bright conditions and produces finer image detail. Higher ISO (like 800 or 1600) is better for low-light situations but can introduce grain (or “film noise”). Since vintage cameras use film with fixed ISO ratings, choosing the right film is key. Simply check the film canister and set the camera to match its ISO value.

Metering

Light metering helps determine the best exposure settings for a photo. Some vintage cameras have built-in light meters, while others require an external handheld meter. Common metering modes include center-weighted, spot, and evaluative, each affecting how the camera measures light in a scene. Some cameras have automatic shutter speed settings based on the light meter’s readings—brighter conditions trigger higher shutter speeds, while dim settings lower the shutter speed for more light.

Film Speed

Film speed refers to the film's ISO rating, determining how well it performs in different lighting conditions. If you’re shooting in bright sunlight, a slower film (ISO 100 or 200) is ideal. For dimmer environments, a faster film (ISO 800 or higher) is recommended.

Viewfinder

The viewfinder is where you compose your shot and set up your scene before taking a photo. Different vintage cameras have various types of viewfinders, such as optical viewfinders (OVF), rangefinders, or waist-level finders, each offering a unique shooting experience.

Viewfinder

Wrapping Up

Understanding these vintage camera terms will help you get the most out of your photography experience. The more you shoot, the more these concepts will start to feel second nature. So grab your favorite vintage camera, load up some film, and start experimenting!

Looking for a great vintage camera to start with? Check out our collection of classic cameras and lenses. Happy shooting!

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