The Vehicle: Canon AF35M
The Canon AF35M, specifically this model, was introduced in 1979. It’s a compact 35mm film camera with a fixed 38mm 1:2.8 lens. It was Canon’s first compact with auto focus capability. It’s made of plastic, takes two AA batteries, has a built-in flash, and features a self-timer that works by pre-focusing the shot before starting the timer.
It’s such a good looking camera. It’s definitely compact compared to any modern DSLR but not much smaller than some of the SLRs of that era. It’s lighter though, and quick to use.
This particular example was found in its original box in a thrift store.
The “leather” case it came with fell to dust immediately, and the batteries were corrosion-welded into the battery compartment.
It took a few hours to carefully chip away at the corrosion, remove the batteries, and clean all the contacts.
To my utter surprise, it all worked perfectly.
In The Field
My first outing with the camera, it’s revival if you will. Was on a mountain biking ride with some friends.
I was so excited to use this new-to-me vintage plastic camera that I brought it on a rough bike ride through the woods.
How smart.
This first shot in the gallery above, the one with the mountain bike set against the valley, was taken with the pre-focus feature.
Basically, it works by setting the self-timer lever on the front then targeting your desired subject, and pressing the shutter button. That action will set the focus distance, so then you just need to frame your photo, press the shutter again, and the camera will create the exposure.
It’s really handy in situations like this where you want your subject in focus to be off-center.
If I didn’t use it the camera would have tried to focus on the furthest ridge, so infinty.
Everyone Should Have Friends
I love taking pictures of people, and while the AF35M was easy to use for some quick portraits, I think the Ilford XP2 black and white film really rocketed these portraits to another level.
These were all taken midday under a shaded porch, the built-in flash did such a good job. Point-and-shoot, baby. You can’t beat it.
Another Location (Portability)
The next destination for the Canon was another bike ride, albeit a much more casual one.
The AF35M is super light, it’s made entirely of plastic. As for taking this thing everywhere, I’m not sure what to think of that yet.
For casual walks around town, yeah I think it’s great. It’s light, relatively compact, and quick to use. For more intense outings or travel I’d just be afraid to crack the housing or damage the seemingly fragile mechanism that pops up the flash.
Thinking about what this camera meant back in 1979… it was probably pretty novel at first, then quickly written off for sturdier or more well-put-together options. However, for those that dedicated the time to it, I believe it would become an easy favorite.
The autofocus, including the pre-focus, is very reliable (and nearly 50 years later, no less). A camera should never get in your way, it should always just take the picture. This Canon does that extremely well.
As for what’s next, I think more portraits would be the way to go!
The 38mm focal length is right-on for getting so great emotional portraits, and just about everyone seems to be delighted when they find out this is a film camera from the eighties.
‘Til then.
usedcameraman 
Leave a Note