Kodak has been one of the few companies that have changed the face of photography. From the Brownie camera that made the more accessible to the launch of Kodachrome film, whose colors are still revered today, the company introduced some exciting innovations. What most people forget is that Kodak was also responsible for pioneering the digital camera in 1994, which was specifically designed for news photography. Here is a look at what you are missing out on.
The Kodak AP NC2000 was designed for the Associated Press (AP), which was based on the Nikon N90s (F90x) film SLR. The camera was a groundbreaking camera for news photographers. It replaced the optical film back with a digital system, and the electronics were created by Kodak. It included the following:
- Sensor: 1.3 MP CCD (about 1280 × 1024 pixels)
- ISO range: roughly ISO 200–1600
- Frame rate: 2 fps
- Memory: PCMCIA cards for removable storage
- Lenses: Used regular Nikon F-mount lenses
An updated model, the NC2000e, also appeared two years later. It was different because it had more internal buffer (16MB) and a burst rate of 12fps. Since news photographers relied on fast-paced shooting, the camera went on to be popular. About 550 cameras were created for AP, and they were sold at a premium price that reflected the cutting-edge technology of the era. According to AP, the camera was priced $14,500, and it could hold 75 images.
Before Kodak NC2000, digital cameras were used for experimental work or for commercial phtoography. However, with Nikon’s collaboration, it marked the first time that photojournalists could take digital images in the field, thereby eliminating the need for film processing, scanning, and time delays. This helped photojournalists send images much faster, even if the resolution was quite low at the time. After all, news photography has always been about speed. The camera was bulkier than a standard 35mm SLR, but that did not deter AP photographers from using it. Images could be easily downloaded, which became important for breaking stories. In fact, the NC2000 was used to capture major events such as the Super Bowl in Atlanta, among others.
Compared to today’s standard, the Kodak camera may not seem too exciting. However, it is one of the key moments in photography’s history: It moved news photographers from film to digital at a time when it was not even mainstream. It also proved that DSLRs have what it takes to be in the field. Overall, the NC2000 was a bridge camera that helped usher in the digital age that underpins modern journalism photography today.