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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Lecia 35mm: The Pioneer

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.

The typical number of exposures on a roll of 35mm film is 36. However, the number of exposures can vary depending on the needs of the photography and cost constraints. Disposable cameras can be found in 6, 8, 10, or 15 exposure quantities.

In 1913, the American Tourist Multiple was released to the public. Inaccessibly expensive, photography enthusiasts would have to wait until 1925, when the 35mm Leica camera was released at a more affordable price.

The Germans produced the 35mm Leica which took the world by storm. It has since taken over the world of photography as the standard in cameras. Outfitted with a superior lens in addition to its compact size, it's no wonder the 35mm Leica has its world class reputation.

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.

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