By the 1960s, the 35mm camera has pretty much taken over the world, even budget cameras are using it by now, though a few cheap designs cling to 127 and 120 format. The 120 format is generally used by professional photographers as it gives finer grain on large images. Selenium cell light meters, lever wind and Single Lens Reflex are commonplace. It's mainly black with chrome top housings still - even the cheapies imitate it. Injection moulded thermoplastic assemblies ease the manufacturing process, as little finishing is required, helping to drive down the cost of cameras. Some cheap cameras are virtually moulded in one piece, but even high quality cameras don't shun a material that proves to be robust and lighter than metal. The manufacturing centres have rationalized, cheap cameras are still made in many countries, but Hong Kong made cameras make their appearance. Quality equipment is still made in Germany, some from East Germany, where many of the pre war camera makers had factories, which subsequently ended up in the Soviet occupied East Germany. Japanese manufacturers notably produce increasingly high quality equipment.

Select a vintage camera image, below, to view details, most cameras have 360° views. Pictures are not to scale.