In the 1950s, several things were happening. Among news photographers in particular, there was a shift away from the large and heavy 4x5-inch ‘press cameras’ to 35mm cameras.
Almost simultaneously, single-lens reflex cameras (SLRs) were beginning to replace rangefinder cameras – particularly for more complex tasks, which made professionals, at least, lean towards “system cameras” that could do almost anything with the right accessories.
