Filmikaamera

Filmikaamera, or film camera, is a device that records moving images onto photographic film rather than an electronic sensor. It exposes frames on a strip of photographic stock as the film advances through a gate, driven by sprockets and a shutter mechanism. The most common cinema frame rate is 24 frames per second, with variations used for television and special effects.

Film cameras have historically operated across several formats, including 8mm, 9.5mm, 16mm, 35mm, and larger formats such as 65/70mm. 35mm became the standard for commercial cinema, while 16mm has been favored for independent film and documentaries. Film stocks can be black-and-white or color, with color negative, color reversal, and later sound-on-film options. Modern cameras often use cartridges or magazines for loading, and many models feature interchangeable lenses and viewfinders.

Key components include the film gate, transport mechanism, shutter, and, in sound-equipped models, a magnetic or optical sound track. Prominent camera families include 35mm Arriflex and Panavision systems, as well as compact 16mm models from Bolex and Beaulieu. The cameras require a light-tight workflow for loading, and film must be processed in a lab before printing or scanning.

Today, digital cinematography dominates production workflows, but film cameras are still chosen for their grain, dynamic range, and color rendition. They are used in high-end cinema, certain genres, and by filmmakers seeking specific aesthetic qualities, with ongoing preservation and archival practices to maintain film stock and prints.