Technological advances has catapulted photography onto an whole new level. Advanced techniques and equipment are always on the horizon.



35mm film, also referred to as 135 film, can be used for still photographs and motion pictures. The 35mm camera was put on the market in 1934 and was a best seller by the late 1960s and still enjoys success today.

Standards were adhered to in the industry and the usual film format is 24x36mm, allowing for 2mm gaps between frames. The standard roll length is 36 exposures but 12 and 24 exposures are also popular for today's 35mm camera. Some disposable cameras, used for taking holiday snaps and for special occasions, tend to use 6, 8, 10 or 15 exposure film.

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.

Before 1934, camera film was not so neatly compact and easy to handle. The film cartridge which we are accustomed to seeing today was utilized by the Kodak Retina which hit the markets in 1934. Nikon contributed to the world of photography with the first SLR camera.

A new technology hit the photography scene in the form of Single Lens Reflex. This type of camera created a much friendlier user experience by providing a viewfinder and preview screen. The SLR cameras advance the film via motor freeing you from manually forwarding your film.

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.

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.