A 35mm camera works in the same way as a larger or smaller format camera does. The width of the film used in a camera dictates its size.
According to legend, when Edison was asked how wide the film had to be cut, he held up his hand with the thumb and forefinger apart to show. What is more probable is that the easily available rolls of 70mm film were slit in half. Since any camera using 70mm wide film would be very bulky for the general public, 35mm was chosen. It proved to be the most admired format and most camera manufacturers soon started making one or more model compatible with 35mm size film.
Because of its popularity, most innovations and improvements in camera design were first introduced to 35mm cameras.
According to legend, when Edison was asked how wide the film had to be cut, he held up his hand with the thumb and forefinger apart to show. What is more probable is that the easily available rolls of 70mm film were slit in half. Since any camera using 70mm wide film would be very bulky for the general public, 35mm was chosen. It proved to be the most admired format and most camera manufacturers soon started making one or more model compatible with 35mm size film.
Because of its popularity, most innovations and improvements in camera design were first introduced to 35mm cameras.