Expert: John Oliverio - 3/7/2004

Question
I am helping someone with a school project about cameras and was wondering if you could help me with a few questions.
The type of information they need deal with cameras.

Do you know what chemical is in camera/film that makes it work?

Do you who invented the first color camera?

Are the lens a special kind of glass?

What is your favorite brand of camera?
Why?

How does a zoom work on a camera?

Any help on any or all of the questions will be very helpful.

Thank you!

Answer
1. Silver Halide Crystals...  though the answer is a lot more complicated than that.

2. The first permanent color photo was made in 1861 by James Clerk Maxwell.  (he did not invent a film)  The first color photography process was patented in 1903 by Auguste and Louis Lumière.  There is really no such thing as a "color camera".

3. There are many "special" types of glass for lenses.  Each company has there own forumlas for glass.  But yes, it isn't like typical window glass.

4. I don't have a favorite brand.  In our house we have Nikon, Canon, Olympus and a Pentax.  I don't care about brand.  I just want a good camera.

5. A zoom works by simply moveing one or more of the lens elements away from and closer to the film.  

John