Analog cameras with multi exposure function [Overview]

What is a double / multi exposure?

In the realm of film photography, double exposure, or multiple exposure, is a technique in which the film is exposed to two or more different images. This results in those images appearing superimposed upon one another in the final photograph.

Double exposure is achieved by releasing the shutter to expose the film, then re-cocking the shutter without advancing the film to the next frame, and releasing the shutter again to expose the same piece of film a second time. The images overlay each other, creating a blend of both scenes. This can be done more than twice for multiple exposures. The photographer must carefully consider the lighting and composition of each image to ensure that the final result is visually pleasing.

This technique has been used creatively for many purposes. For instance, it can be employed to create surreal, dreamlike imagery, illustrate the passage of time, or to create a juxtaposition of related images for thematic effect.

Also, remember that when you’re shooting multiple exposures, each exposure will add to the total amount of light hitting the film. Therefore, you might need to adjust your exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed) to avoid overexposing the film.

Why can’t you shoot multiple exposures with every camera?

Not all film cameras are capable of creating multiple exposures, and there are a few reasons for this:

Automatic Film Advance: Many cameras, especially automatic and point-and-shoot cameras, are designed to automatically advance the film to the next frame after each exposure. These cameras typically do not have a mechanism to prevent this advancement, making multiple exposures impossible without modifying the camera.

Mechanical Limitations: Even if a camera allows manual film advancement, not all cameras have a shutter mechanism that can be cocked independently of the film advance. If the shutter can only be cocked by advancing the film, this will prevent the camera from making multiple exposures on the same frame.

Multi exposure prevention: Some cameras are specially designed to prevent double exposures, since this effect is of course not always desirable. For example, some cameras, especially from the 1950s and 1960s, have a built-in shutter lock that is only released when the film has been wound.