Oskar Barnack(1879-1936)Shania KilmerMedia 203

Background

• Born 1 November, 1879 Lynow, Nuthe-Urstromtal, Germany

• Died 16 January 1936 (aged 56), Bad Nauheim, Germany

• Optical engineer, industrial designer and precision mechanic

Background cont…

• Barnack was an avid photographer, but the equipment required for photography proved difficult for him to carry around, due to his asthma and other health problems

The Birth of the 35mm

• Because of such health problems limiting his ability to take photographs, Barnack set out to decrease the weight and size of cameras and equipment needed for outdoor photography using his engineering skills.

Contributions to the World of Photography

• Known as the “Father of the 35mm Photography”, this new method of photography was the result of Barnack’s efforts to create a more convenient photographic medium.

• This 35mm design helped contribute to the enlargement of photos in the darkroom after exposing a small area of film to create a negative.

The Leica

• Leica became the name of the camera Barnack produced because the optician, Ernst Leitz was the one who approved the original production of the camera and Leica stands for ‘Leitz Camera’

• Released to public in 1925

The Leica cont…

• To operate, the Leica utilized standardized film strip that had been adapted from 35mm Edison roll-film instead of the traditional exposure plates used in previous Leitz camera models.

Barnack’s Photography

Remembering Barnack

• There exists a museum to Oskar Barnack in the German town in which he was born