News / Blog: #photography

The history of press photography: lenses and cameras through the ages

Press photography has played a central role throughout history in documenting events, reporting news, and capturing pivotal moments. From the early days of analog photography to today's digital era, both the technology of cameras and the evolution of lenses have changed dramatically.

These changes have influenced the way photographers tell stories and capture the world around them.

The beginnings of press photography

The beginnings of press photography date back to the 19th century, when photographers began capturing events such as political gatherings, natural disasters, and social events. In those days, cameras were large and cumbersome, and exposure times were long.

Lenses were often simple glass lenses that did not offer the sharpness and clarity of modern optics.Still, photographers managed to capture important moments that shaped history and public perception.

Rise of 35mm cameras and improvement of lenses

During the 20th century, the development of 35mm cameras led to a revolution in press photography. Smaller, handier cameras allowed photographers to be more flexible and react more quickly to events.

Lenses became more advanced and offered improved optical characteristics. The transition from glass lenses to multi-coated glass and later plastic lenses greatly improved image quality.

The era of film cameras and telephoto lenses

With the rise of film cameras in the mid-20th century, the possibilities for press photography continued to expand.

Cameras such as the famous Leica M series allowed photographers to work quickly and discreetly.

The use of telephoto lenses made it possible to capture distant scenes and emotional moments without losing proximity. The use of interchangeable lenses allowed photographers to be more flexible in responding to different shooting situations.

Digital era and modernity

With the advent of digital photography in the late 20th century, press photography changed again. Digital cameras offered photographers the ability to get instant feedback and quickly edit and transmit their shots.

This greatly sped up the news cycle. Lenses became more technologically advanced, with image stabilization, fast autofocus systems, and high-quality glass materials that offered exceptional sharpness and color accuracy.

The future of press photography

With the advent of mirrorless cameras, advancing AI technology and other innovations, the future of press photography will be even more exciting.

New lenses and cameras are expected to be more powerful, lighter, and more customizable, opening up even more creative possibilities for photographers.

The history of press photography shows us not only the technological evolution of cameras and lenses, but also the power of photography to tell stories, capture emotions and record the world as it changes over time. From the first glass lenses to the most advanced optics, press photography remains a driving force in reporting our history and present.

Lenses: the eyes of history

The variety of focal lengths available has shaped press photography in many ways. From wide-angle lenses that capture the context and atmosphere of a scene to telephoto lenses that allow photographers to capture emotional moments from a distance, focal lengths have a powerful impact on the visual narrative.

Choosing the right focal length can determine how a story is presented - whether it's a stunning panoramic shot of a historical event or a close-up of a face full of emotion.

Legendary lenses and cameras: icons of press photography. The history of press photography is peppered with legendary lenses and cameras that became icons of their time. The Leica M3, introduced in the 1950s, is often considered one of the most influential cameras in the history of photography.

Its compactness, quality and precision made it the choice of many famous photojournalists.

In terms of lenses, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 can be considered a classic. Its large aperture made it possible to work in difficult lighting conditions and achieve impressive background blur. The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is another legendary lens that stood out for its versatility and optical quality.

The Digital Revolution: cameras and lenses in the 21st century

The variety of focal lengths available has shaped press photography in many ways. From wide-angle lenses that capture the context and atmosphere of a scene to telephoto lenses that allow photographers to capture emotional moments from a distance, focal lengths have a powerful impact on the visual narrative.

Choosing the right focal length can determine how a story is presented - whether it's a stunning panoramic shot of a historical event or a close-up of a face full of emotion.

Legendary lenses and cameras: icons of press photography. The history of press photography is peppered with legendary lenses and cameras that became icons of their time. The Leica M3, introduced in the 1950s, is often considered one of the most influential cameras in the history of photography.

Its compactness, quality and precision made it the choice of many famous photojournalists.

In terms of lenses, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 can be considered a classic. Its large aperture made it possible to work in difficult lighting conditions and achieve impressive background blur. The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 is another legendary lens that stood out for its versatility and optical quality.

The Digital Revolution: cameras and lenses in the 21st century

As we entered the 21st century, the digital revolution took press photography to new heights. Cameras like the Nikon D3 and Canon 5D Mark II offered remarkable ISO performance and high image quality in low light.

Lenses with advanced coatings and designs enabled even more accurate image reproduction.

Legendary modern lenses include the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8, widely prized for its all-around capabilities and superb image quality. The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 is considered a masterpiece for wide-angle shooting with exceptional sharpness.

The future of photography and press photography

The rapid development of AI technologies, mirrorless cameras, and innovative lens designs suggests that the future of press photography will be exciting. Cameras may become even more compact and powerful, while lenses may offer even more precise optical performance. Still, one thing will remain constant: photography's ability to tell stories, capture emotions, and capture the world in all its facets.

Nikon: A pioneering role in press photography

In addition to general developments in press photography, Nikon, as a renowned company, has played a significant role in shaping and advancing this art form. With an impressive range of cameras and lenses, Nikon has influenced press photography for decades

Nikon F-series: a milestone in photographic history

The introduction of the Nikon F in 1959 marked a milestone in the history of photography. This SLR camera was not only rugged and reliable, but also offered the ability to interchange lenses, opening up a wide range of creative possibilities for photographers. The Nikon F series became the standard for many photojournalists and professionals worldwide.

Nikkor Lenses: Innovative and Powerful

Nikon's Nikkor lenses are known for their outstanding quality and versatility. During the development of press photography, Nikkor lenses have played an important role. For example, the Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 AI from the 1970s was a legendary portrait lens with impressive speed. The AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED was prized for its optical performance and versatility in a variety of shooting situations.

Innovation in the Digital Era

With the transition to digital photography, Nikon continued to develop innovative cameras and lenses. The Nikon D-series, including models like the D3 and D4, offered remarkable image quality, fast continuous shooting, and improved ISO performance. The AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED was regarded as one of the best wide-angle zoom lenses of its time.

Focusing on the future

The future of Nikon in press photography promises to be exciting. With the advent of mirrorless cameras and new technological developments, Nikon will undoubtedly continue to develop cameras and lenses that meet the changing needs of photographers. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology will ensure that Nikon continues to play an important role in the world of press photography.

Nikon remains a fixture in the history and evolution of press photography, providing photographers with the tools to capture moments and tell stories that move the world.

What role does autofocus play in press photography?

Auto-focus plays a significant role for press photographers, allowing them to quickly and efficiently take high-quality photos in fast-changing situations. Here are some of the most important aspects of how autofocus affects the work of press photographers:

Quick responsiveness:Press photography is often about capturing the right moment. Events can unfold quickly, and press photographers need to be able to react quickly and focus on the main subject to get the perfect shot.

Accuracy: The autofocus of modern cameras has become very accurate, allowing photographers to get sharp images even in difficult lighting conditions or when moving quickly. This is especially important if the photos are later to be published in print media or online.

Flexibility: Press photographers often need to switch between different shooting situations, whether at sporting events, political events, concerts or accidents. Autofocus makes it easy for them to adjust to different scenarios without having to waste time with manual focus settings.

Multi-point AF systems: Modern cameras feature advanced autofocus systems with multiple focus points. This allows press photographers to precisely select the desired subjects within the frame, even if they are not in the center of the image.

Continuous shooting capabilities:Many cameras offer continuous autofocus continuous shooting, which allows press photographers to capture a sequence of images to capture the highlight of an event or an important action. This increases the likelihood of capturing the decisive moment.

Although autofocus offers many advantages for press photographers, it is still important to emphasize that the knowledge and ability to focus manually also remains valuable. In certain situations where autofocus may not work optimally, manual focus control can be a useful alternative to ensure that the desired subject is perfectly in focus.Therefore, a good press photographer should have a broad range of skills to meet the various challenges of the profession.

What is press photography?

Press photography is the art of visual communication in which photographers take pictures that illustrate events, places, and people in the context of a news story or story. Press photography is an important part of news coverage in newspapers, magazines, websites and other media. Press photographers capture images that illustrate the story by adding color, drama, and interest.