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The path to the creation of photography began long before the invention of film and lenses. The foundation of it all was the camera obscura, which translates from Latin as 'dark room.' This simple optical device, known since the time of Aristotle, is a light-proof box with a small hole in one of its walls.
The path to the creation of photography began long before the invention of film and lenses. The foundation of it all was the camera obscura, which translates from Latin as 'dark room.' This simple optical device, known since the time of Aristotle, is a light-proof box with a small hole in one of its walls.
Its principle of operation is based on the laws of optics: light rays passing through the aperture create an inverted image of the outside world on the opposite wall. Renaissance artists used large camera obscuras for accurately sketching landscapes and portraits. It was this device that became the starting point for inventors who dreamed not just of projecting, but of permanently fixing an image.
| Process | Inventor | Features |
| Daguerreotype | Louis Daguerre | High detail, unique image (no copies), image on a metal plate |
| Calotype | William Talbot | Creation of a paper negative, possibility of reproduction, less detail compared to the daguerreotype |
The first real breakthrough was made by the Frenchman Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826, who managed to fix an image using a plate coated with bitumen. The exposure lasted about 8 hours, but it was the first photograph in history. Soon, his partner, Louis Daguerre, perfected the technology, creating the daguerreotype—a process of obtaining an image on a silver-plated copper plate. Daguerreotypes were distinguished by incredible detail for their time, but they were unique and could not be copied.
In parallel, the Englishman William Henry Fox Talbot invented the calotype—the first negative-positive process. This made it possible to create multiple prints from a single negative, which was a revolution. Early cameras were bulky wooden boxes, and the process of shooting required the photographer to have knowledge of chemistry and great patience.
The true democratization of photography was brought about by the American George Eastman, founder of the Kodak company. His main idea was to make the process of shooting as simple and accessible as possible for everyone. He replaced heavy glass plates with flexible roll film, which radically changed the design of cameras.
In 1888, Kodak released its first camera with the slogan: 'You press the button—we do the rest.' The camera was sold loaded with 100 frames. After shooting, the entire camera had to be sent to the factory, where the film was developed, prints were made, and the camera was returned to the owner loaded with new film. And in 1900, the legendary Kodak Brownie camera appeared, costing only $1, which made photography a mass hobby.
The next revolutionary step took place in Germany. An engineer at the Leitz company, Oskar Barnack, created a prototype of a compact camera using 35mm motion picture film between 1913 and 1914. His goal was to create a light and small device that could always be carried around for test shots. Thus, the concept of small-format photography was born.
In 1925, the Leica I camera went into mass production, forever changing the world of photography. It was compact, fast, had a high-quality lens, and allowed for 36 frames on a single roll of film. This paved the way for photojournalism and street photography, allowing photographers to be discreet and capture candid moments.
Today, in the age of digital technology, interest in vintage film cameras is not fading but, on the contrary, growing. For many, it is not just a hobby, but a way to touch history and gain a unique shooting experience. Collectors value rare models for their historical significance, engineering solutions, and aesthetics.
Among the most valued vintage cameras are not only the early Leica models, but also medium format Rolleiflex, German Contax rangefinders, and the first SLR cameras from Nikon and Canon. These devices are still functional tools capable of creating high-quality images with a unique 'film' look.
Can you still shoot with them today? Absolutely. 35mm and 120 format film is still produced, and many photo labs offer development and scanning services. However, owning such equipment requires careful handling and sometimes repairs, which becomes part of this fascinating hobby.
