Technological advances has catapulted photography onto an whole new level. Advanced techniques and equipment are always on the horizon.
35mm cameras use 35mm film which is both suitable for still photography and motion pictures. The 35mm camera was unveiled to consumers in 1934 and reached huge popularity 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.
The first still camera to become popular with the public, using 35mm film was the American Tourist Multiple, which began selling in 1913. The new invention cost a lot of money for the times. It was the 1925 Leica 35mm camera however, that really set the seal of success on this type of product.
The Leica quickly caught on amongst photography enthusiasts. Its compact size, quality glass and German craftsmanship all contributed to the success of the 35mm Leica camera. The Leica became the standard for professional photographers, fashion photographers and photojournalists.
Film cartridges were not introduced until 1934, when the Kodak Company released the Kodak Retina. The Kodak Retina was manufactured in Germany. In 1960, photography would take another industrial leap the Single Lens Reflex camera (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.
Traditional 35mm film camera sales took a big hit when digital cameras first hit the scene. But with the advent of Digital SLR cameras, the 35mm seems to have weathered the storm and is regaining its popularity.
Today, the camera and film market is shared by Kodak, Ilford, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus and Canon. The technology will, no doubt, evolve once more into territory not even thought of as yet but there will always be a place of affection for those early cameras that people grew up with.
