Nikon L35AF
The L35AF, launched in 1983, was Nikon's first entry into the auto-focus point-and-shoot market. This wonderful shooter features a very sharp 35mm F2.8 lens, backlight compensation switch (along side the lens), takes 46mm screw on filters, and is very well made. It also gives you the ability to pre-focus while looking through the viewfinder, and unlike one of its prime competitors of the day (I won't mention any names), if you aren't happy with the focus selection, you can try again until it's right before you take your shot.
LIKES: nice sharp 35mm 2.8 lens; very solid feel, yet still small enough to slip into a coat pocket; on/off switch surrounding shutter-release button; focus distance indicator appears in viewfinder (very slick); ASA is manually adjustable up to 1000*; accepts 46mm filters which are still commonly available; takes two standard AA batteries.
*Apparently only later models went to 1000 ASA. Earlier models stopped at 400 ASA. I was lucky enough to have stumbled on the later model, so I can take indoor shots using 800 film without a flash - NICE!
DISLIKES: the only real complaint I can come up with on this one is that the flash pops up automatically in low-light situations. I tend to prefer cameras that allow the photographer to make that choice. The Yashica Auto Focus Motor-D, from the same time period, is a good example of a similar camera that leaves flash activation up to the photographer.
Above: L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine, with giant boot. Shot with a Nikon L35AF and Kodak Ultramax 400 color print film.
View gallery of sample images from this camera
Specifications:
- Type of Camera
- 35mm leaf-shutter camera with automatic: focus, exposure, flash control, film load, film wind, film rewind and rewind stop
- Film
- Cartridge-packed 35mm film
- Picture Format
- 24mm x 36mm
- Lens
- Nikon lens 35mm f/2.8, five elements in four groups; 46mm filter attachment size
- Shutter
- Programmed electronic shutter; also serves as diaphragm blades
- Viewfinder
- Reverse-Galilean Albada-type bright-frame viewfinder; 0.52X magnification; approx. 85% (at infinity) frame coverage; -1 dioptry
- Viewfinder Information
- Picture frame marks, parallax compensation frame marks, autofocus frame marks, focus symbols and focus indicator needle
- Focusing
- Active autofocus system (0.8m to infinity); focus locks when shutter release button is depressed halfway
- Exposure Metering
- Using CdS, programmed automatic exposure control from EV 6 (f/2.8 at 1/8 sec.) to EV 17 (f/17.5 at 1/430 sec.) with ASA/ISO 100 film
- Backlight Compensation Lever
- Approx. +2 EV when backlight compensation lever is held down while shutter release button is depressed
- Film Speed Range
- ASA/ISO 50 to 1000
- Film Loading
- Easy load system, automatically advances to first frame when shutter release button is depressed once
- Film Advance
- Automatically advances one frame when shutter release button is released; 0.8 seconds per frame*; automatically stops when all frames have been exposed
- Film Rewinding
- Via sliding rewind lock switch and rewind button; approx. 20 sec.* per 24-exposure roll; automatically stops when film is rewound
- Frame Counter
- Additive type; automatically resents to "S" when camera back is opened; counts back while film is rewinding
- Self-Timer
- Activated when self-timer lever is set and shutter release button is depressed; 10-second delay with indicator light
- Built-In Flash
- Automatic pop-up type with ready-light; guide number 10 (ASA/ISO 100, m), 16 (ASA/ISO 25, ft.); shutter locks if flash is not charged; recycling time approx. 7 sec.*
- Battery Life
- Approx. 100 rolls* of 24-exposure film (without flash); approx. 10 rolls* of 24-exposure film (with flash for each exposure); shutter release locks when batteries are exhausted
- Power Source
- Two 1.5V alkaline-manganese AA-type batteries (NiCd batteries cannot be used)
- Dimensions
- 124mm(W) x 73mm(H) x 45.5mm(D)
- Weight
- Approx. 345g (without batteries)
*with fresh alkaline-manganese batteries at normal tempertures
Thanks James for scanning and mailing me the specs!!
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