Canon, the history of the photography giant.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 | HUGO GRANDIN

Canon, one of the most recognizable brands in the world of photography, has had a fascinating journey since its foundation in 1933. This Japanese company, originally specializing in the production of calculators, quickly turned to producing cameras and has never looked back.

In 1936, Canon released its first camera, the Hansa Canon. This model was user-friendly and offered remarkable image quality for the time.

Over the following decades, Canon continued to innovate in photography. In the mid-1950s, they introduced their first SLR camera, the Canonflex, which paved the way for a new generation of SLR cameras. This same decade, Canon also began focusing on producing lenses for their cameras. Canon's lenses quickly distinguished themselves for their quality and reliability, contributing to the brand's reputation as a photography leader.

Between 1960 and 1980, Canon continued its growth as a leading photography brand. They introduced new SLR cameras and lenses, while continuing to focus on innovation and quality. The brand also began to make a name for itself on the global market, expanding its presence in Europe and the United States.

The Canon AE-1:

The Canon AE-1, released in these decades, was the first model in the AE series and was considered a revolution in the photography industry at the time. The Canon AE-1 was easy to use for beginners thanks to its automatic programming system, freeing them from the complexity of manual adjustments. It was also equipped with an electrically driven mirror, which allowed for reduced noise and a quieter operation. This camera was commercially successful, partly due to its affordable price, and was produced until 1984.

Canon continued to release innovative models throughout the 80s and 90s, such as the Canon T50, the Canon T70, and the Canon EOS 650. Each of these models was equipped with advanced features that made Canon an undisputed leader in the world of film photography.

Even in the 2000s, as most people turned to digital photography, Canon continued to produce high-quality film cameras for the most demanding photographers. Models such as the Canon EOS 3 and the Canon EOS 1V showed that Canon was determined to maintain its position as a leader in the world of photography.

Canon is a company that has marked the history of photography with its iconic film cameras. From its beginnings as a calculator company to its current position as a photography legend, Canon has always been synonymous with innovation and superior quality. If you are looking for a reliable and high-performance film camera, be sure to check out our selection of Canon film cameras.

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