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Sony’s 1981 prototype of the Mavica camera

Toronto. In mid 2001, member George Dunbar downed his copyright interests and investigated what was to become the digital revolution. George wrote his article titled, “The Progress of Filmless …” for publication in issue 27-2 of the journal. Many of us were unaware of the impact (and speed) this revolution would have on the industry and its cameras or on the organizations devoted to camera collecting.

Around the late 1990s, a neighbour showed off his digital movie camera and its ability to save ‘stills’. It was the impetus we needed to search for a suitable “Digital Still Camera”. My wife was entranced by the Mavica from Sony and its choice of a floppy disk to save its images. I fancied the Fuji camera with its Leitz lens. At Vistek, we met Gary Perry and he introduced me to the Nikon Coolpix 900s. Its 1.3 megapixel images were superb for that size – I went home with my first Coolpix.

George’s extensive research culminated with his article which begins, “What began in the early 1980s is now recognized as the future of photography. New digital cameras are being introduced at a remarkable rate and there are now hundreds of models available in the marketplace.

“Today [late 2001], anyone entering the new dimension of digital photography will have a difficult time when faced with the overwhelming number of choices. It’s remarkable that the bulk of this revolution has taken place only in the last decade, although the first developments were slightly earlier.

“In this short space of time, it’s already evident that the beginnings of this phenomenon are obscure history. It’s my intention to look back and review some of the highlights. The Sony Mavica (acronym for magnetic video camera) Still Video Camera, announced in 1981, appears to be the first evidence of a product which became practical because of developments in video camcorders.

At one time, home-movie enthusiasts were captive to the 8mm film/cameras made popular by Kodak and marketed eventually by dozens of others. When the home video camcorder was introduced around 1980, the change-over from film to tape was extraordinary. Almost overnight 8 mm film stock disappeared from store shelves, movie cameras became $5.00 relics on flea market tables and the conversion to videotape was complete.

“I believe the abandonment of film by still photographers will be just as abrupt [we still have niche film users]. The first electronic still cameras (including the Mavica of 1981) were called still video because they simply were versions of the common TV camcorder (recording an analog signal) and built around the revolutionary charge-coupled device (CCD) technology.

“The early cameras were tested by news photographers allowing instant production of photographs for the media, but were found wanting because of poor image quality. The testing of improved products at events such as the Los Angeles Olympics (1984) and the first Bush inauguration (1989) as well as pressure from the media representatives, eventually led to the widespread acceptance of digital photography by newspapers.

“Although the first models were extremely expensive, they were quickly adopted. This review of the history of digital photography will concentrate primarily on the consumer camera market.”

George’s fully illustrated and well researched article is in the issue 27-2 pdf file on the free members only DVD/thumb drive. See ‘membership’ above or at right to join/renew. Email any questions to member@phsc.ca.

Our 2026 events are a great place to start or extend your collection of digital cameras. We are holding our Spring Fair on May 24th at Trident Hall. A poster and details will be pinned  to this site as the date nears.

a cluster of digital video cameras c2001

Toronto. In the fall of 2001 we recognized the potential impact of digital technology with the devotion of almost all of issue 27-2 to this new technology.

Probably to the surprise of many folk today, the initial impact was digital video cameras replacing the film movie cameras. The cover shot of this issue is in fact digital video cameras of the day. Hence the practice of prefacing digital still image files as DSC… initially (Digital Still Camera).

Editor Lansdale describes the cover shot as, “A selection of still video cameras is featured on the cover of this issue – see the story The Progress of Filmless Photography on page 4. Member George Dunbar delved through publications of the 1980s to search out data for a “time line”on what were the earliest of ‘digitals’ to reach the market. He found that many were publicized but not all attained fruition. It leaves the question open for others to pursue as to what variant models and unknown makers were in the field.”

You may find old digital cameras – video and still – at our 2026 events. Our spring fair for example, is planned for May 24th at Trident Hall (the week following Victoria long weekend), A poster and details will be pinned to this site as we near the date.

Big Bertha 5×7 Graflex with 36 inch lens at Spring 2006 Fair

Toronto. I took this shot a couple of decades ago at our Fair in 2006. Along with cameras, I collected lenses, books, brochures, etc, that offered information on the history of photography.

I imagine other camera collectors collect lenses too, sometimes special lenses suitable for wide angles like the old Protar line, and others of the telephoto persuasion.

This monster combination was used to capture close-ups of participants in sporting events. Others used these specialty lenses for wild animal  photography. The photo at left was shot at our Spring Fair in 2006. Shown is M. Renaud Therrien of Montreal with his c1930 Graflex “Big Bertha”. The camera takes 5×7 plates and has a 36 inch f/6.3 telephoto lens attached.

These newer lenses are ‘future’ collectibles – and now that we are well into the digital era, the film camera and telephotos like this example are/are about to become collectibles.

Add these lenses or other interesting items to your collection by attending our 2026 events. For example, our Spring Fair is set for May 24th at the Trident Hall in southwest Toronto. As we get closer to the date, I will pin a poster and details to the top of this web site.