Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/13
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I cheated and picked five. My selects are as follows:
Kodak Brownie -- for popularizing photography with the masses
Leica A - because it launched 35mm photography -- still the format of choice
for the bulk of semi-serious photographers -- and led the way to the
documentary style
Speed Graphic -- merely for the history it recorded at a time when we didn't
have 24-hour a day news coverage.
The Canon AE-1 -- because it did popularize 35mm slr photography in a way
that even the Spotmatic and other popular models did not
The Canon Sure Shot -- because it returned popular photography to where it
started with the Kodak Brownie ("press the button, we do the rest")
You may note that the last two choices probably were not particularly good
influences on photography as a hobby but they are significant.
I would also like to give honorable mention to whatever specific/individual
cameras Eddie Adams and Huynh Cong used to make the two photos that helped
bring an end to the Vietnam War -- the best examples of individual photos
having worldwide impact that I can think of . . .
If I had to pick ONE, though, I'd go with the Leica A
Bob (not too far out on the limb) McEowen