Saturday, January 17, 2009

Evolution of Photography: From Film to Megabytes

By Yars Revenga

Photography has developed rapidly over the years with equipment and film working in tandem to pioneer new methods of taking pictures.

The 35mm camera was introduced to the public in 1934. It gradually began to find favor amongst the masses and became one of the best selling cameras by the late 1960s.

Creating standards in photography is one of the ways ideas are able to flow smoothly. The 35mm film format could be the most popular format of all time. Most rolls of 35mm film come with 36 exposures although this number can vary depending on cost and need.

The American Tourist Multiple was first introduced in 1913. It was very expensive for the average consumer. In 1925, the 35mm Leica was released and created a boon for photography hobbyists and enthusiasts across the globe.

The German produced camera quickly became a status symbol and was widely praised for its small size, quality lens and high production levels. The Leica continued its popularity and was championed by professional photographers, including fashion photographers, photojournalists and art photographers such as Henri Cartier Bresson.

In 1934, the Kodak Company launched the German built Kodak Retina, the first 35mm camera to use the modern film cartridge, familiar to camera users today. The next important innovation took place in the 1960s when Nikon introduced the Nikon F SLR.

This was the beginning of the Single Lens Reflex system, a technology that went on to dominate photography. This type of camera proved more user friendly with functions such as a viewfinder, focusing screen and motor drive to automatically move the film on.

Digital SLRs are currently on the evolutionary crest of cameras. Will they ever compare to film is a question that many photography enthusiasts ponder. The digital SLR appears to have secured its place in the foreseeable future of photography.

Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji and Ilford are the leaders of the camera making world. These visionaries have all contributed to the evolution of photography and will undoubtedly be a part of future advancements. The traditional 35mm film camera will never be forgotten and has played an integral role in the popularization of photography on all levels. - 15437

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