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1994       R

First test shot by Mike Collette with 140 mp digital scanning back 15 January 1994Mike Collette constructor of 140 mb scanning back 1994

1. Left above, first test shot taken by the Mike Collette 140MP 4x5 scanning back. The Conservatory, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 15 January 1994.  Prototype BetterLight Scanning Camera. 6000x7520 pixels. 12-bit Trilinear Array.

2. Right above, Mike Collette, president of BetterLight Inc.

mike collette and stephen johnson 1994better light scanning back 1994

3. Mike Collette (left), with Stephen Johnson, photographer. 4. Right above, contemporary scanning back

THE DAY FILM DIED - JANUARY 15, 1994.  Stephen Johnson is an internationally recognized digital photography pioneer and his photographs are in many collections and museums throughout the world. Johnson was part of the digital revolution from its earliest days, working with Leaf Systems, Foveon, Kodak, Apple, Epson, Hewlett-Packard and Adobe Systems as those companies designed and developed early model electronic and digital photography equipment and imaging programs. In January of 1994, Mike Collette, formerly of Leaf Systems, had constructed a 140 MB digital scanning back for 4x5 cameras and asked Johnson if he would like to try it. The two went to Golden Gate Park and Coit Tower in San Francisco and took photos of that same area with a film back and then with Collette's digital scanning back. Johnson described the experience thusly: "I took a loop to the film, then zoomed in on the digital file. The difference was hard to believe. That photograph completely floored me. January 15, 1994 was the last day I took film seriously as a recording medium. For me, this was the death of film; it was not a material I could stomach using ever again. From that point on, when I had the choice between film or high-end digital, I was going to pick digital without any doubt whatsoever." Stephen Johnson, On Digital Photography, O'reilly Media, Inc. Sebastopol, California, 2006, page 44.

BetterLight 4x5 scannning backs now come in sizes up to 384 megapixels. Interestingly, film supporters continued to hotly champion the superiority of film over digital well past the turn of the century, and some still do today.

http://www.betterlight.com/history.html


apple quicktake low cost digital camera 1994   Apple Quick Take 100 kit
APPLE QUICK TAKE 100 - 1994.  Manufactured for Apple by Kodak, the QT 100 was the the first mass-market color digital camera for under $1000 ($749).  640 x 480 pixel CCD.  Up to eight 640 x 480 resolution images could be stored in internal memory.  Fixed-focus 50mm lens.  Built-in flash.  In 1995, after the QuickTake 150 came out, owners of the QuickTake 100 could have them upgraded to 150 specs for a price of about $200.  A sticker was placed on the camera indicating it was a QuickTake Plus, but no new camera was ever sold with that model designation.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://www.epi-centre.com/reports/9403cdi.html

https://tidbits.com/article/1374

http://pravin73.wixsite.com/camera-sly/single-post/2016/10/09/Apples-forgotten-digital-cameras-from-20-years-ago



ap kodak nc200o and 2000e digital camera for photojournalists 1994
AP/KODAK NC2000 - 1994 AND NC2000E - 1996.   First professional digital camera marketed specifically for photojournalists. Associated Press announces marketing of digital SLR cameras for photojournalists based on the Nikon N90 and N90s.  1024 x 1280 (1012  X 1268 usable) pixel CCD.  ISO 200 - 1600.  Shutter 1/8000 to 30 seconds.   The Vancouver Sun converted to all digital photography in May of 1995.  The paper became the world's first to convert from a film-based photo-production system to an all-digital camera based photo-production system using AP's NC 2000 camera. The staff realized that it was a tool that would revolutionize the newspaper and wire service industry, and a tool photojournalists had to master.  Original MSRP $17,950 ($16,950 for AP members).  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodak_DCS


 

 

CASIO CP-300 - 1994.  These photos of a previously unknown Casio camera were submitted by a collector in Austria.   There was no other information on the net about this camera when we received the photos.   It was a combo model, sold along with another Casio product which was required in order to produce digital photos.  Current street value about $20-$30.  In an attempt to learn more about the Casio CP-300  we contacted Casio USA.  A helpful young lady there then contacted Casio of Japan on our behalf.  Casio of Japan responded quickly with the only information they still had available concerning the CP-300 - a web site address - our web site!  However, if you happen to travel to Japan you may see one at a flea market being sold for just a few dollars.  If so, please keep us in mind as we would like to add one to our collection.

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/cameras/item/casio-cp-300-ccd-camera



COMPACTFLASH CARD Type 1 - 1994.  CF is a mass storage media primarily used for portable electronic devices such as digital cameras. The format was specified and the device was first manufactured by SanDisk in 1994.  The CF Type I card is 3.3mm thick and approximately 36 x 43mm in size.  CompactFlash was originally built on Intel's NOR-based flash memory.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompactFlash

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/memorycards



 Fotex F10 Digital Camera Fotex F10 digital back

FOTEX F10 - 1994.   The Fotex F10 was a digital back with 4 X 5 camera or could also be used as a digital camera with a Nikon or Hasselblad 35mm lens.  CCD 2048 X 2048 Pixels.  It used a filter wheel and three-shot RGB exposure system for what was very high resolution color images at that time.  Produced by Dainippon Screen of Japan.

http://www.imagesensors.org/Past%20Workshops/1997%20Workshop/1997%20Papers/27%20Konishi%20et%20al.pdf

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/cameras/item/fotex-f10


nikon n90s / f90x film camera 1994

NIKON N90S (F90X) - 1994-2001. The Nikon N90s (F90x) was an autofocus 35mm film camera. It was one of Nikon's best and most expensive amateur 35mm SLRs ever. The N90s sold for over $1,000, even at discount, throughout most of the 1990s, and was sold new through 2004. The N90s was discontinued in May, 2001.   The N90s replaced the almost identical N90, which was made from 1992-1994. This camera and its accessories were donated to the museum collection by our good friend and travel companion, Joan Klonowski of Grants, New Mexico.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/n90s.htm

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Nikon_N90s




connectix quickcam tethered digital camera for mac 1994

CONNECTIX QUICKCAM - 1994. An inexpensive, black-and-white digital video camera that became one of the best-selling Mac accessories of all time. For $99 (street price) the buyer received a fully digital video camera which used a charge-coupled device (CCD) array to capture grayscale video and still images up to 320 x 240 pixels. Because the camera worked with a PowerBook or a notebook PC, it was possible to capture digital images and video virtually anywhere. QuickCam's small size and weight, along with its positioning flexibility (it could be tripod-mounted, used on its supplied stand or hand-held) made it a favorite.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickCam


epson mj-700v2c first phto quality desktop inkjet printer 1994 EPSON DESKTOP COLOR INKJET PRINTER, MJ-700V2C - 1994.  The first 'photo quality' desktop inkjet printer.  At 720 by 720 dots per inch, it offered double the resolution of other color printers of the time.
http://global.epson.com/company/corporate_history/


hasselblad  digital camera design by stina nilimaa student at umea institute of design 1994
HASSELBLAD DIGITAL CAMERA DESIGN - 1994.  UMEA University Institute of Design in Collaboration with Hasselblad Electronic Photography.  Degree Project by Stina Nilimaa who graduated in 1995.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

 http://www.dh.umu.se/

fujix ds-5o5, ds-515 nikon e2, e2s digital cameras 1994
FUJI DS-505, DS-515 (Nikon E2, E2S - see below) - 1994.  Considered to be the first full-frame (no crop factor - 36 X 24mm) digicam.  The Fuji DS-505/DS-515 and Nikon E2/E2s digital cameras were PC card (ATA) equipped SLRs that were compatible with a wide range of interchangeable Nikon lenses and accessories.  2/3-inch, 1280 x 1000 pixel CCD.   ISO 800, 1600.  Shutter 1/8 to 1/2000 second.  Digital Photography, David Busch, 1995, p51. We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

https://fotografr.de/4652/nostalgie-die-erste-vollformat-fourthirds-dslr-der-welt/

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/digitalSLRs/E2NE2Ns/index1.htm

focal point vsc/3000 hydra pentacam still video camera 1994 

THE FOCAL POINT PENTACAM VSC/3000 Hydra Camera - 1994. A company called The Focal Pont introduced this unusual still video camera in 1994. It consisted of a Sony video camera combined with a Nikon F4S 35mm SLR film camera. It could take still or video images, but required a videotape recorder, frame grabber, computer, and of course a lens, none of which were included in the $23,000 price. 768 x 494 three-chip CCD.

https://prezi.com/hrb6flrpcu6f/history-of-the-camcorder-timeline/

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/prototypes-rarities/item/pentacam-vsc3000

https://www.wired.com/1995/08/fetish-81/




kodak dcs 410 nikon f90 body digital camera 1994

 
KODAK DCS-410 - 1994.  Based on Nikon F90 body (some models may have used N90 or 90s body).  1012 x 1524 pixel CCD.  ISO 100.  Could accommodate most Nikon lenses and accessories.  It used the same Kodak 1.5-million-pixel CCD as the $11,000 DCS 420 (1994), which had a resolution of 1524 x1012 pixels.  It was the only midrange filmless camera that featured a color depth of 36 bits.   MSRP $7995.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Kodak/index1.htm

https://www.digicammuseum.de/kameras/detailansicht/kamera/Kamera/show/dcs-410/

https://books.google.com/books?id=1qcjiBDaNOMC&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=%22Kodak+DCS+410%22&source=bl&ots=5fp_H-oh5J&sig=lkmGVKpwgjiBF0b2fNtcwmTJZXQ&
hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHnqKDv7LZAhVGq1MKHdi7AFw4ChDoAQhBMAU#v=onepage&q=%22Kodak%20DCS%20410%22&f=false


kodak dcs 420, dcs 420c, dcs 420m, dcs 420ir nikon n90x body digital cameras 1994
KODAK DCS 420, DCS 420c, DCS 420m, DCS 420cir  - 1994.  Based on Nikon N90X.   1524 x 1012 pixel images.  Image storage on removable PC cards, Type III 12 bits/color.  14 mm x 9.3 imager magnified focal length of the lens 2.5X.  SCSI interface.  ISO-equivalent settings of 100 to 400 for color model, 200 to 800 for monochrome model.  Burst rate of 2 images/second for 5 images, enabling 5 images in just over 2 seconds from camera to capture.  MSRP $11,000.  (The 420 cir infrared version came out in 1996.)  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE10.html

leaf lumina digital scsi scanner studio camera 1995

 

LEAF LUMINA ? LEAFLUMINA MEDICAL - 1994. The Leaf Lumina by Leaf Systems Incorporated was a digital SCSI scanner camera used with a 35 mm Bayonet F-Mount Nikon lens.    As a scanning camera, it was used for studio still image photography.   MSRP   $4995 ($31,000 in 2009 dollars).  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://www.epi-centre.com/reports/9403adi.html

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/cameras/item/leaf-lumina-medical




LOGITECH FOTOMAN COLOR -1994.  Logotech developed a color version of their Fotman camera.  495 x 366 pixel color CCD. Lens F4.5.  Shutter 1/20 second to 1/2000 Second. 

http://www.verycomputer.com/73_04687d44e4e828c9_1.htm#google_vignette

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/prototypes-rarities/category/logitech-3



nikon e2, e2s fujix ds-505, ds-515 digital cameras 1994
NIKON E2, E2S (Fuji DS-505, DS-515) - 1994. See Fuji DS-505 and DS-515 above. "First digital SLR's to not have a 'crop factor' and are still the only 35mm-family ones to do it with a smaller than fullframe sensor." Andrew K. Bressen.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/digitalSLRs/E2NE2Ns/

nikon 700 qd zooom 35 mm camera 1994

NIKON ZOOM 700 QD - 1994. The first 35mm camera with an image stabilization feature (vibration reduction) was the Nikon Zoom 700VR QD 35mm film compact camera released in 1994. It used two types of sensors in its lenses to detect movement to identify the direction and scale of shaking at the time of exposure. The result was used to drive a compensatory optical system using a linear motor to reduce the movement of the image in real time.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Nikon_Zoom_700_VR/Zoom-Touch_105_VR

olympus vc-100 deltis first digital camera with built-in transmission capabilities 1994 
OLYMPUS DELTIS VC-1100 - 1994.  The VC-1100 was the world's first digital camera with built-in transmission capabilities.  Photojournalists and other photographers could connect a modem to the VC-1100 and upload digital photos over cellular and analog phone lines.   The camera, which had a built-in zoom lens and an image-capture resolution of 768 by 576 pixels, stored images on PCMCIA cards.  Its color LCD viewfinder let you preview photos on location.  Shutter 1/8 to 1/1000 second.  Lens 54mm and 108mm.   The VC-1100's transmitter enabled pictures to be sent over phone lines or a cellular network to a second camera or personal computer.  The Deltis transmitted at the rate of one frame every one to six minutes, depending on the picture quality required.  The 21-ounce camera, a battery pack, and memory card cost about $4000.  The VC-1000 did not have transmission capability and was around $300 cheaper.  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.

http://betterphotography.in/features/history-digital-cameras/11530/attachment/olympus-deltis-vc-1100-%E2%80%93/

http://mavin.com/pictures/pt/historia.html

https://www.cnet.com/news/photos-the-history-of-the-digital-camera/

http://people.csail.mit.edu/rudolph/Teaching/Lectures07/L16-Cameraphone-2.pdf









rhythm watch visimo digital camera 1997  
RHYTHM WATCH Visimo - 1994.  An article about the Visimo appeared in the New Scientist magazine of May 1994 (click on URL below), however, a book by Akira Kasai is the first we have seen that listed the Visimo (reprinted from the March 1997 issue of Future Image Report magazine).  When the Visimo was marketed we do not know, but apparently in Japan only.    737 x 480 pixel CCD.   50mm lens.    First digicam to have a liquid crystal display  screen  (LCD) .  We believe we were the first digital camera history web site to provide a photo and information concerning this camera.  Akira Kasai.  Essentials of Digital Photography.  1997.  Chapter 11, Page 13.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14219273-400-patents-camera-tricks/

https://www.trademarkia.com/visimo-74361365.html

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/prototypes-rarities/category/rhythm-watch-co


Rollei Rolleiflex 3003 still video camera prototype

ROLLEIFLEX 3003 STILL VIDEO PROTOTYPE - 1994.    The 3003 still video prototype was based on the Rolleiflex 3003 35mm SLR film camera, possibly only one or two made.

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Rollei/Rolleiflex-3003-(still-video-prototype).html



Rollei Rolleiflex SL 2000F still video camera protype 

ROLLEIFLEX SL 2000F STILL VIDEO PROTOTYPE - 1994.    The SL 2000F still video prototype was supposedly based on the Rolleiflex SL 2000F 35mm SLR film camera, apparently only one made and kept for a while in the Rollei museum, then sold for a very high price.  Questions have since been raised as to whether it really was a still video type or not.  A still video camera at that time would have recorded onto a small mini floppy disk.  From the one view above it is not possible to tell whether provision was made for inserting the required floppy.  One site on eBay is currently asking $9,995  for this camera (March 2019).  If it is not a still video prototype as one site claims (second URL below), there could be a problem.

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/prototypes-rarities/item/rolleiflex-sl-2000f-still-video-prototype



https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ROLLEI-SL-2000-F-STILL-VIDEO-CAMERA-PROTOTYPE-COMING-FROM-FORMER-ROLLEI-MUSEUM/303027331932?hash=item468dd6235c:g:QKcAAOSwxDJcOes1 

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Rollei/Rolleiflex-SL-2000-F-(still-video,-prototype).html




Rollei Digital Chip Pack - 1994.  Rollei marketed a Digital Chip Pack followup of the 1990 ScanBack.  It took 30 secs to take a color photo at 2048x 2048 pixels.

https://vk.com/wall-90182339?offset=60

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Rollei


https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/cameras/item/rollei-digital-chippack



Sony Mavica MVC-5000 Army  CP-2098A/U digital imaging set

SONY MAVICA MVC-5000 ARMY - 1994.  During the Gulf War the U.S. Army used a modified Sony MVC-5000 to send digital images to elsewhere.   It used a 400mm, 60 to 300mm zoom lens.  The camera images could be manipulated and time/date stamped.  The system was referred to as the CP-2098A/U Digital Imaging Set.  The set included a Harris Image processor and several other pieces of equipment.  See URL below for additional photos and further information.  Also see our 1989 page for use of a similar system during the uprising in Tianamen Square, China.

http://www.prc68.com/I/PSC6.shtml

https://www.digitalkameramuseum.de/en/prototypes-rarities/item/sony-mvc-5000-us-army



vlsi first pc card camera  edinburgh england 1994

VLSI PC CARD CAMERA - 1994.  The first ever PC card camera was marketed by VLSI Vision of Edinburgh, England. Black and white pictures with 320 X 240 pixels, 256 grayscale. MSRP $599.

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/pc-card-camera-offered-by-vvl--37690

https://books.google.com/books?id=JcmV0wfQEoYC&pg=PA15&lpg=PA15&dq=VLSI+PC+CARD+CAMERA&source=bl&ots=

qHhDPyUa0J&sig=ACfU3U2134WfqLSu_mJQAgUnGVS8hDBvZQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=

2ahUKEwiRucPolovoAhUIHjQIHcqaB9kQ6AEwAHoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=VLSI%20PC%20CARD%20CAMERA&f=false

 

1994
 

1800s
1900 - 1920
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980-83
1984-85
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995 A-C
1995 D-Z
1996 A-C
1996 D-N
1996 O-R
1996 S-Z
 1997 A-D
1997 E-H
1997 I-O
 1997 P-Q
 1997 R-S
1997 T-Z
1998 A-D
1998 E-F
1998 G-K
1998 L-N
1998 O-P
1998 Q-R
1998 S
1998 T-Z
1999+
   



Useful Info
History Sites
FINDER