Even with the emergence of digital cameras, the 35mm camera is still the most common family camera around today. They are reliable and affordable gadgets that prove to be great family companions. Over the years 35mm cameras have become so easy to use with added features like automatic film loading, automated flash and other cool additions. Most 35mm cameras are sturdy devices and will last a long time and develop great looking photos. There are two basic types of 35mm cameras: point-&-shoot and Single Lens Reflex. Learn about the differences and which one is best for you with our comprehensive guide.

The 35mm camera is aptly named because it uses film that's 35 millimeters wide. It is extremely popular among professional and general use because the film is readily available and easy to use. There are two basic types of 35mm cameras - Point-&-Shoot and Single Lens Reflex (SLR).

Self-descriptive, this camera is designed for the general user. Relatively compact, for convenient use when traveling, the Point-&-Shoot includes a built-in lens, electronic flash, and film winder. It's fully automatic - no experience needed.

There are many integrated computer circuits that underscore its simplicity. All the cameras in this category can automatically determine the best settings for focus and exposure. Instantly helps you load film, winds it after each exposure, and rewinds film when all exposures are completed. It can even read the sensitivity of the type of film you're using to assure optimal results.

All point-&-shoot models have a viewfinder, which approximates the framing of the photo you're taking. Many models offer large viewfinders for more comfortable use.

The camera's lens and electronic flash is built-in and not removable.

This camera is often more highly regarded by more serious photography hobbyists and professionals. It tends to be larger and heavier than the point-&-shoot cameras but is designed for versatility.

The most obvious difference is that the lens may be removed, and replaced by a selection of optional lens choices. In many cases an SLR does not come with a lens. You would buy the SLR body and then buy the appropriate lens (or lenses) for it, to meet your needs. Some SLR cameras sold at J&R™ are available as special manufacturer's bundled kits that include a lens, usually a zoom lens.

This ability to change lenses is because SLR cameras have a prism that lets you see exactly what your lens sees. This is known as TTL - through the lens. A point-&-shoot camera uses a viewfinder that approximates what the lens actually sees. TTL, on the other hand, offers optimal framing accuracy. What you see is what you get.

NOTE: There are some SLR model cameras that do not have lens interchangeability. They are a sort of hybrid, high-performance line of point-&-shoot cameras, designed to offer the best of both worlds. Olympus makes a few models that fit into this category.

Camera prices vary according to certain features:

The most economical cameras use a lens with a preset focal length providing a single perspective. The focal length of a lens is measure by millimeters (mm). A focal measurement of 35mm to 40mm provides a 'normal' perspective on a point-&-shoot camera. Below 35mm offers a wider perspective, suitable for landscapes. Above 40mm helps bring objects closer to the camera. A camera with a zoom lens offers a wide choice of perspectives as you zoom down or up. Usually, the focal range of the zoom lens is measured by magnification (from the lowest to the highest) so a 35mm to 70mm zoom lens has a 2x magnification and a 35mm to 105mm zoom lens has a 3x magnification. As the range of the zoom capability increases, the price of the camera tends to go up.

On virtually all point-&-shoot cameras, the lens is not removable.

Lenses available for an SLR offer many more choices. There may be a whole selection of lenses for zoom, telephoto, wide-angle, fish-eye and special applications. Lenses are usually brand-specific. If you have a Nikon SLR you need to use lenses by Nikon. If you have a Canon, Minolta, Pentax, Yashica or other brand SLR, similar rules apply. There are some other manufacturers that make lenses for these cameras, as well, but you must make sure that you're purchasing the lens for your appropriate camera mount.

Most point-&-shoot cameras have fully automatic exposure. It adjusts the camera to optimal settings given the amount of light entering the lens. All you need to do is press the button for a perfect picture. Some cameras allow you to choose among a list of possible photo situations where slight modification of exposure might be required. These could include a Night Mode and a Sports Mode, among others.

Another important factor is how the camera determines the exposure. Some cameras may calculate the amount of light from the center of the image in the viewfinder. Other cameras may calculate the amount of light based on an average of the full image in the viewfinder. Some cameras provide a choice. A few higher-priced SLR cameras provide an optional selection of viewfinder screens for different exposure and focus selections.

SLR camera models may offer even greater versatility with automatic, semi-automatic and manual exposure controls.

Focus controls enable cameras to select the best setting for the clearest possible picture. Most cameras have fully automatic exposure. Several of those models may also offer semi-automatic and manual focus controls, though a manual focus mode is far more commonly found in an SLR than on a point-&-shoot.

Some cameras also have a Macro Focus mode. This means you can focus very close to objects (often less than 18 inches) - great for floral photography.

All 35mm point-&-shoot cameras and many SLR models have a built-in electronic flash. It is designed to provide additional light, when needed. Many cameras include several selectable flash modes for different situations. Among these modes, the most popular is Red-Eye Reduction.

When a photo is taken of a person, using the electronic flash, you may see a red shadow in his/her eyes. The Red-Eye Reduction mode fires a pre-flash before the picture is taken which helps minimize this effect.

The built-in flash is usually very small so its range of operable distance is somewhat limited. With most popular color films, most of these flashes provide about 10 feet of coverage. Almost all SLR cameras allow you to add an optional electronic flash that provides more power.

Several camera models may have a special selectable feature that can add the time, day or date that the picture was taken - directly on the exposure.

Helps you get into the picture. Most cameras have a built-in Self-Timer mode. It delays the camera shutter up to 10 seconds. You've got 10 seconds to get in front of the camera before it clicks the picture.

Here's another feature that helps you get into the picture. Several cameras offer the option of getting an accessory remote control. This allows you to comfortably activate the camera shutter while you pose comfortably.

With all the amazing things that these cameras can do, you can't take any pictures unless a roll of 35mm film is loaded into it.

There are different types of film. The most commonly used film delivers color pictures as color prints. There are also chromatic films, which deliver color slides or transparencies. A bit more unique, but still available, are films that can deliver black-&-white prints. All 35mm films, when fully exposed, must be taken to a film-processing lab in order to get all the final results.

Films may vary in sensitivity to light. This provides considerable latitude for many different photo opportunities. This sensitivity is noted in the film's ISO rating. The ISO is an internationally accepted measurement standard. A lower ISO number rating means the film is less sensitive and a higher ISO number rating means it's more sensitive to light. Certain chemical properties in the film correlate to the sensitivity so films with higher sensitivity may produce grainier pictures. Films with low sensitivity provide very fine grain and optimal color saturation. For most general-purpose photography, an ISO of 100 and 200 are considered ideal. The ISO rating is coded on the film cartridge and, when the film is loaded into the camera, it automatically programs the camera's metering system for accurate auto-exposure modes.

Some camera models will only recognize a limited number of ISO ratings. Most will cover ISO 100 to 800. If using more or less sensitive films is important to you, we suggest that you check the ISO range of your camera. SLR models offer a very wide range of ISO settings.

For the most part, 35mm film is available with 24 or 36 exposure formats. An exposure is the technical term for a picture.

Some 35mm cameras have a selector that enables a very wide perspective picture to be taken. This feature is more often found on point-&-shoot than SLR models.

Certain camera models may have a level of water-resistance for use under inclement weather situations or in snow. Few models may also be used under water. There may also be special accessory housings optionally available for certain cameras that allow underwater use.

Many cameras have a built-in LCD screen that may offer several types of information. Most often, this screen will provide the exposure number and the status of the battery.

The automatic features found in these cameras are like having little computer circuits. They require battery power. Some camera kits include a battery (or batteries). Many models, however, require that the battery be purchased separately.

• Carrying Case
  A very important accessory that offers protection to your camera when being carried or stored. Many SLR models have specific cases while point-&-shoot models may have certain carry pouches. There are also a variety of gadget bags that can hold your camera(s) and several accessories.
• Lens Filters
  Mainly used with SLR lenses, these filters screw directly to the front of the lens to provide several optical effects and enhancements. The most common filter is called an Ultraviolet or UV filter. It helps reduce glare and provides improved color balance when shooting in very sunny situations. Many people buy filters because it also acts as a protector of the lens and is easier to clean than the lens surface.
• Cleaners
  Dust can interfere with your camera's performance and can appear on your pictures. There are a large variety of lint-free cloths and brushes that can safely keep your camera clean. Many camera owners like to use cans of compressed air that blows dust and particles off of many surfaces safely and efficiently.