Chapter 4

Kodak DCS 100

The earliest form of digital cameras used by photographers was developed by the Eastman Kodak Company ( or Kodak). The camera was called the Kodak DCS 100, it was released in 1991. Kodak developed this digital camera with using a Nikon camera and a digital storage unit. According to Encyclopedia Britannica: "Kodak and Apple Computer, which supplied the software for transferring the digital images to a personal computer." The cameras as told by Professor Nordell in his video, were connected by a cord to a suitcase like box which stored the digital data. The digital data was then transferred to a computer.

With the introduction of the digital camera came the harsh reality of how cumbersome it was to use it. As Professor Nordell said in his video, they were portable but not easy to use. According to Chris Wilkins' article Photojournalists or pack mule?: "cameras were bulky and file sizes were small, around 1 megapixel or lower, and image quality was rough in low-light situations."  Digital cameras went back to drawing board and continued to develop new technology. 

Kodak DCS 100

Photo by: Jarle Aasland

Image Source: http://www.nikonweb.com/dcs100/

The early digital camera affected Photojournalism by way of paving the way for better digital cameras. The early digital camera was not user friendly, and was not very popular. The first digital camera was not widely used in Photojournalism due to the inconvenience of it. Digital cameras only went up from there, the technology continued to improve and now we have advanced digital cameras. Digital photography allows Photojournalists to immediately transmit pictures, it changes the deadline ability, and the increased competition between News organization.

Comparing the predigital technology and the digital technology there are vast differences and some similarities. The predigital technology Leica 35mm camera compared to the Kodak DCS 100, the major difference being the Leica uses film and the Kodak DCS uses digital technology to develop pictures. As Professor Nordell says in his video, the 35mm cameras were easy to use but not good for framing a picture. The Kodak DCS and the Leica both had their down falls for photography, the Leica being the ease of use for framing a picture and the Kodak DCS had poor picture quality in low-light. Both of these cameras have a part of camera history and changed the lives of Photojournalism.

Leica 35mm camera

Photo by: unknown
Image source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/143BZTy3QQqAUV7f6emDWg