canon and nikon dslr

A SINGLE-LENS REFLEX (SLR) CAMERA

A camera that uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system which permits the photographer to sometimes see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly different from what was captured on film AKA: What you see through your lens is what you get on your film, woohoo!

Cnopm

FIRST 35MM SLR CAMERA

If you have taken any kind of a photograph even on a disposable camera, give thanks to the Russians for being the first to develop the wonderful SLR camera. Called the Cnopm, this camera came out in 1934 rapidly followed by several other versions produced by the Germans and the Japanese. There is some debate as to whether or not the Cnopm really was the “first".

pentax

PENTAX

Isn’t it great just being able to wind the film; the quick pull of a lever or just pulling a switch with your thumb? In 1951, the Japanese company Pentax is credited with developing the first SLR to use the right-hand single-stroke film advance lever. This meant faster advancement allowing for more photographs per second, a major advancement in the world for action photography.

slr3

MINOLTA

A second Japanese company, The Miranda Camera Company was established in 1955 and by 1958 became the well know company Minolta. While Minolta is now a dying breed, this company was on the fast track to the top of the food chain in the world of SLR cameras. It was not until just recently that Sony has officially bought out the company. If you find some Minolta glass, hold onto it, they made great products! Minolta had been on the market in Japan for quite sometime before those “other” two brands….came around.

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CANON AND NIKON, THE BATTLE BEGINS!

One month before the Nikon F came out, Canon introduced its Canonflex. Since 1958, when these two cameras came out in the US market within one month of each other, these two brands have been fighting for the top. While there are other brands that have tried to claim the “crown” such as Pentax, Minolta, Olympus, and Vivitar, none of these companies were able to hold on during the change from film to digital.