For years on end, 135 film was the most popularly used standard in film cameras across the world. That should come as no surprise considering the fact that although this type of film was designed specifically for film photography, it follows the same dimensions as the 35mm film used in motion pictures!
And in much the same way 35mm film has become a mainstay within the film making industry, 135 film (also known as ISO 1007) has been dominant in still photography.
Introduction and Popularity of 135 Film
Interestingly enough, many of the early film cameras that used 35mm film actually used the same film as was used in motion pictures. It wasn’t until 1934 that Kodak introduced the term 135 film, though the truth is that the actual film itself had been around for a few years prior.
Still, with the success of the Leica film camera, as well as the Kodak Retina – 135 film became increasingly popular with professional photographers. Mind you, this was the 1930s and generally speaking most people who weren’t professional photographers didn’t own their own cameras.
That being said, as the still photography industry grew the popularity of 135 film grew with it. Just as 35mm film proved so versatile in film production, it did in still photography as well.
Over the years there have been attempts to introduce several other formats of film, but none have ever succeeded in toppling ISO 1007 from its pedestal.
Role of 135 Film in the Future
Today, 135 film is facing its biggest challenge. Where numerous other formats never really managed to threaten it – digital cameras have definitely done so.
Ever since cheap digital cameras first hit the scene it was apparent that they were the future. Initially, the 35mm film withstood the digital invasion partially because professionals still found it to be of higher quality.
But as digital camera technology moved forward by leaps and bounds, and with the introduction of digital SLRs – it seems as if the ISO 1007 film could soon be a relic of the past!
One of the only areas where a film camera still trumps its digital counterpart is in lomography. Although digital cameras can mimic the effect, it still takes a true film camera sporting 135 film to really and truly provide the fisheye effect.
Outside of lomography however, the future looks bleak. Already major film camera producers such as Canon seem set to discontinue their use and support of 135 film, and as new 35mm cameras disappear, the film will soon follow.
For now though, 135 film is still available and is still widely used despite losing the popularity battle against its digital counterparts.
If you happen to be a still photography enthusiast, it might be worthwhile to start stocking up on 135 film before it disappears off the shelves entirely. To find all the 35mm products that you could possibly ever need, just head over to our website and browse through the selection there!
