Photokina

Photokina is a traditional international photography fair, taking place every second autumn in Cologne, Germany. It's one of the fairs where the industry introduces newest cameras and accessories to the world.

Photokina 2010:
		The event offered stunning encounters with people, innovations and all kind of photography facilities.

Photokina 1984

Several companies showed electronic still camera prototypes, including Panasonic and Copal (Copal CV-1). New 35mm cameras included the Chinon CP-5S, Kyocera Contax 159 MM, Konica TC-X (first SLR able to read DX-codes), Rollei 3003 and Leica M6. In medium format, Fujifilm introduced the Fuji GS645S, following in the vein of the slightly larger Plaubel Makina introduced six years earlier. Mamiya provided the Mamiya M645 Super, while Pentax introduced its first 645 SLR, the Pentax 645

The first 28-210mm zooms were presented at the 1984 Photokina, including a Kiron 28-210mm f/4-5.6 prototype and Soligor C/D 28-200mm f/3.9-5.6 prototype. Tamron showed a SP 180mm f/2.5 lens, while Sigma had a massive 350-1200mm f/11 lens on display, including a 1.4X teleconverter. Rollei had a news PRCS Rolleigon 75mm f/4.5 shift lens for the SL66E and SL66, and a Zeiss 60mm HFT Distagon f/3.5 and 500mm HFT Tele-Tessar f/8 for the Rolleiflex SLX and Rolleiflex 6006.

In films, Ilford introduced an experimental black and white film for 3-D hologram images. Konica had a preview of the Konica SR 1600 color film.

Photokina 1966

In 35mm, the miniature Rollei 35 camera was introduced. Zeiss Ikon presented a updated Contarex Electronic, Hologon and Icarex 126 cameras. Minolta had a Minolta 16 Electro-Zoom-X prototype.

In medium format Franke & Heidecke introduced the Rolleiflex SL66, while Pentax showed a Pentax 220 (prototype).

Photokina 29. September - 7. October 1956

In 35mm there were new rangefinders, including the Canon VT, Contina III and Leica MP, however the new trend was SLR cameras, such as the Kodak Retina Reflex, and Zeiss Ikon Contaflex III and Contaflex IV

Several new medium format cameras were introduced, including the Agfa Automatic 66, Franke & Heidecke Rolleiflex 2.8 E and Rolleiflex 3.5 C. Zeiss Ikon introduced the last in the line of its Rollei challengers, the Ikoflex Favorit. Praktica introduced the first in a long line of 6x6 SLRs, the Praktisix. Linhof presented the Linhof Technika Press and Kardan Color View.

Links

In Pictures:

• Photokina 2010, 2008, 2006 on Flickr

In German:

• Photokina 1956 in Klaus-Eckard Riess' website