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Advanced Photo System

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This article is about the film format. For the related digital image sensor format named after it, see APS-C.
Advanced Photo System logo

Advanced Photo System (APS) is a discontinued film format for still photography first produced in 1996. It was marketed by Eastman Kodak under the brand name Advantix, by FujiFilm under the name Nexia, by Agfa under the name Futura and by Konica as Centuria.

Design

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Diagram of the APS-H, APS-C, and APS-P film frame sizes, in comparison to the standard 35 mm frame

The film is 24 mm wide, and has three selectable image formats:

APS image formats[1]
Name Meaning Frame size Aspect ratio Print Crop factor
(vs. 36×24 full frame)
H High Definition 30.2×16.7 mm (1.2×0.7 in) 16:9 4×7" 1.25
C Classic 25.1×16.7 mm (1.0×0.7 in) 3:2 4×6" 1.44
P Panoramic 30.2×9.5 mm (1.2×0.4 in) 3:1 4×11" 1.37

The "C" and "P" formats are formed by cropping the 30.2 × 16.7 mm "High Definition" image. The full image is recorded on the film, and an image recorded in one aspect ratio can be reprinted in another. The "C" format has an equivalent aspect ratio to a 135 film image.

Most APS cameras (with the exception of some disposable cameras) can record all three formats; the format selection is indicated on the film by a series of exposed squares alongside the image area or recorded on the magnetic coating depending on the camera. In the absence of an operator-specified format, the machine printing an APS roll will use these indicators to determine the output format of each print.[2][page needed]

In addition to the updated frame size and film cartridge, APS provided an information exchange (IX) standard which permitted the camera to record certain data onto the film, either optically or magnetically.

Updated usage

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Presently the format names APS-C and APS-H are most often used in reference to various makes of digital SLR that contain imaging sensors that have approximately the same crop factor as those formats, albeit with different actual dimensions, as APS-H digital sensors have a 3:2 aspect ratio, not the 16:9 aspect ratio of the APS-H film frame. Some of the lenses originally released with the APS SLRs have survived and are now marketed towards use on "APS" digital SLRs for the same reason. In reference to digital cameras, APS may also mean active pixel sensor, a type of CMOS image sensor.

Film and cartridge

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KODAK Advantix APS film cartridge
Visual indicators on an APS cartridge

The film is on a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) base, and is housed in a single-spool 39 mm long plastic cartridge. The basic diameter is 21 mm, while it measures 30 mm at the slot where the film exits. The slot is protected by a lightproof door. It is available in 40, 25 and 15 exposure lengths.

The film surface includes a transparent magnetic coating, and the camera uses this IX system to record exposure information.

The camera handles winding and rewinding automatically; some cameras can rewind partially exposed film cartridges, allowing them to be removed and used later. Numbered symbols (called 'visual indicators') on the cartridge end indicate the status:

  1. Full circle: Unexposed
  2. Half circle: Partly exposed
  3. Cross sign: Fully exposed but not processed
  4. Rectangle: Processed

Additionally, a tab on one end of the cartridge indicates that the cartridge has been processed. On the end opposite the visual indicators, a reflective bar code-like system is used to indicate precise film speed (at release, coded from ISO 25 to 1600), type, and number of exposures; for simpler cameras, a mechanical notch indicates if the film speed is greater than or less than ISO 200.[3]: 29 

Information exchange (IX)

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A major distinction of APS film is the ability to record information other than the image. This metadata information is most commonly used for print aspect ratio, but can also be used to record the date and time that the photograph was taken, store a caption, and record exposure data such as shutter speed and aperture setting. This information can be read by the photo printing equipment to determine the print aspect ratio, print information on the back (or, rarely, the front) of the photograph, or to improve print quality.

Two methods for storing information on the film are employed: "magnetic IX" and "optical IX". Optical IX is employed by less expensive cameras and disposable cameras, and employs a light source to expose a small section of the film, outside of the image negative area. This method is limited to determining the print aspect ratio of the finished print.[3]: 34 

Magnetic IX is used in the more expensive cameras and allows for more information exchange. Most cameras with magnetic IX automatically record the exposure date and time on the magnetic layer, with more advanced models allowing the user to specify a predetermined caption to be printed on the photo or record the exposure settings, as well as determine print aspect ratio.[3]: 34  Magnetic IX caused some problems for photo processors, who found their magnetic reading heads had to be cleaned frequently, or that their equipment's ability to print this information was limited.

Processing

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After the film developing process, APS film is stored in the original cartridge, unlike 135 film. For identification, every roll of APS film is assigned a unique six-digit ID code, which is printed on the label, at both ends of the processed negative, and also is stored magnetically. This ID is usually printed on the index print as well as the back of every individual print.[3]: 34  This ID was designed to be an additional convenience both for the photoprocessor (who can easily match each strip of processed film with its cartridge, and each cartridge to a particular customer's order) and for the consumer, who can easily locate the correct cartridge if reprints are desired.

To facilitate automatic processing of film, a unique DX number is assigned to the different types of film.

APS film is typically processed by using a small machine to transfer the exposed APS film from the original cartridge to a reloadable one, then re-attached to the original cartridge and rewound using another machine after processing.

An IX240 negative strip

Cameras

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A typical low-end, fixed-focus[4] APS compact camera

The format was introduced in 1996 by Kodak, Fujifilm, Minolta, Nikon, Canon and others. APS was mainly used for point and shoot amateur cameras,[5][6] although three SLR systems with interchangeable lenses also were released.

APS SLR cameras

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Three APS SLR systems were released as:

In addition to these interchangeable-lens models, Olympus released the Centurion, a Zoom-lens reflex camera (ZLR), similar to an SLR, but fitted with a fixed zoom lens (25~100 mm f/4.5~5.6). Fujifilm also sold the Centurion as the Endeavor 4000SL.[12][13]

APS SLR systems and cameras
Mfr. System Camera Rel. Lens mount Shutter Dimensions Weight
Canon EOS IX EOS IX[14] Oct 1996 EF 30–1⁄4000 s, B;
synch: 1⁄200 s 		132×80×59 mm (5.2×3.1×2.3 in) 485 g (17.1 oz) w/ 2×CR123A
EOS IX Lite[15] Mar 1998 30–1⁄2000 s;
synch: 1⁄125 s 		123×80×64 mm (4.8×3.1×2.5 in) 360 g (13 oz) w/out 2×CR2
Minolta Vectis S S-1[16] 1996[9] V 30–1⁄2000 s, B;
synch: 1⁄125 s 		127×76×64 mm (5×3×2.5 in) 370 g (12.9 oz) w/out 2×CR2
S-100[17] ? 30–1⁄1000 s;
synch: 1⁄90 s 		124×76×55 mm (4.9×3×2.18 in) 310 g (11.1 oz) w/out 2×CR2
Nikon Pronea 6i[18] 1996[10] F 30–1⁄4000 s, B;
synch: 1⁄180 s 		135×99×74 mm (5.3×3.9×2.9 in) 560 g (19.8 oz) w/out 2×CR123A
S[19] 1999[11] 30–1⁄2000 s, B;
synch: 1⁄125 s 		116×87×57 mm (4.6×3.4×2.2 in) 450 g (16 oz) w/out 2×CR2

Of these the Canon EOS IX and the Nikon Pronea SLRs could use existing 35 mm SLR lenses with Canon EF and Nikon F mount, respectively, whereas Minolta opted to create a new lens mount which later was shared with the Minolta Dimâge RD 3000, an early digital SLR (DSLR). Using existing lenses meant the field of view was reduced by around 1.6×, but had the advantage of a larger lens selection. Creating a new lens system on the other hand gave the possibility of creating smaller and lighter lenses as they had a smaller image circle to cover. APS SLR cameras were too expensive for the high-end amateur market when they first appeared, and professional photographers stuck with 35 mm cameras, which offered greater image quality and resolution.

Concurrently with their APS SLR film cameras, Canon and Nikon released lenses intended for use on APS film cameras - such as the Canon EF 22-55mm - which has a wider field of view to account for the relative-to-35mm crop factor. Along with the Pronea SLRs, Nikon developed the IX-Nikkor series of lenses which were lighter and had a smaller image circle, similar in concept to the Nikon DX format lenses released with the company's DSLRs, starting in 2004. Although the Nikon IX series of lenses were not compatible with the Nikon 35 mm SLR, as their long back-focus would foul the mirror, the Nikon Pronea cameras accepted lenses for Nikon 35 mm SLRs.[11]: 88 

History

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Nikon Nuvis 160i, an APS camera

Initial testing of APS film cartridges with 40-exposure rolls started in 1994; details about the magnetic-stripe information encoding[20] and formats were provided later that year, although the "Standard" frame size, at that time, was narrower than the final APS-C frame, at 23.4×16.7 mm (0.92×0.66 in).[1]

The Advanced Photo System was an attempt at a major upgrade of photographic technology for amateurs, but was soon overtaken by the popularity of digital photography. Despite the added features, APS never really caught on with professional photographers because of the significantly smaller film area (58% of 135 film). Color slide film, popular with professional photographers, proved unpopular in APS format and was soon discontinued (although chromogenic black-and-white IX240 film continued to be produced). Color print film was normally available only in a limited selection of film speeds. These developments, combined with the fact that auto-loading 35mm cameras could be made almost as compact, as convenient, and as inexpensive as APS-format cameras, prevented APS from attaining greater popularity.[original research?]

APS cameras found most of their success among the consumer point and shoot camera market, but this was too little too late: within five years of the format's launch, sales had dropped significantly. This was mainly due to the increasing quality and falling prices of digital cameras.

In January 2004, Kodak announced it was ceasing APS camera production.[21]

Both Fuji and Kodak, the last two manufacturers of APS film, discontinued production in 2011.[22][23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Snapshots: Advanced Photo system advances". Popular Photography. October 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  2. ^ Langford, Michael (2000-08-23). Basic Photography. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-136-09653-2.
  3. ^ a b c d Keppler, Herbert (March 1996). "Advanced Photo System". Popular Photography. pp. 28–34, 100. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  4. ^ "KODAK ADVANTIX F300/1600 AUTO Camera". Kodak.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  5. ^ Richards, Dan (April 1996). "Point & Shoot: First Out of The Box: A Whole Line of APS Minoltas". Popular Photography. pp. 28–30. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  6. ^ Richards, Dan (April 1996). "The First Advanced Photo System Wave Roars in". Popular Photography. pp. 38–42. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  7. ^ "And here they come ..." Popular Photography. October 1996. pp. 40, 88. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Canon EOS IX Lite". Popular Photography. December 1999. p. 138. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  9. ^ a b Keppler, Herbert (April 1996). "SLR: Ingeniously different, delightful to use Minolta Vectis S-1 SLR goes to the top of the Advanced Photo System". Popular Photography. pp. 23–26, 163. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b Keppler, Herbert (December 1996). "SLR: Can't decide whether you want a simple point-and-shoot Advanced Photo System SLR or one loaded with 'the works'? Why not have both?". Popular Photography. pp. 16, 18. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b c "Test: Nikon Pronea S". Popular Photography. April 1999. pp. 84–88, 125. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  12. ^ Richards, Dan (December 1996). "Top APS point-and-shoots compared". Popular Photography. pp. 114–116. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  13. ^ Hart, Russell (September–October 1997). "Field Test: ZLR meets APS". American Photo. p. 90. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Film Cameras: EOS IX E (J) / EOS IX (A) / EOS IX (E)". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Film Cameras: EOS IX 50 (J) / EOS IX Lite (A) / EOS IX 7 (E)". Canon Camera Museum. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Vectis S-1 Specifications". Minolta Corporation. Archived from the original on November 5, 2001.
  17. ^ "Vectis S-100 Specifications". Minolta Corporation. Archived from the original on August 20, 2001.
  18. ^ "Pronea 6i: Specifications". Nikon USA. Archived from the original on January 25, 2000.
  19. ^ "Pronea S Specifications". Nikon USA. Archived from the original on March 2, 2000.
  20. ^ "Snapshots: New film system in 1996". Popular Photography. August 1994. p. 18. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Kodak to stop making APS, some film cameras". dpreview.com. 2004-01-13. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  22. ^ "Apusu firumu hanbai shūryō no oshirase" APSフィルム販売終了のお知らせ [Notice of the end of sale of APS film]. Fujifilm. Archived from the original on 2011-07-09.
  23. ^ "Eastman Kodak Company".
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