APS (Advance Photo System) Explained

Numerous surveys and reports indicated that the general public wanted a simple and easy to use photo system that would give them greater overall confidence in their ability to take pictures. The general public demand was for worry-free film loading, smaller and easier to carry cameras, dependability in getting the shot, and ease of organizing prints and negatives.

To meet these consumer demands, the Advanced Photo System was designed by an international consortium of five companies known as the System Developing Companies. These companies were Minolta Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan; Nikon Inc., Tokyo, Japan; Canon Inc., Tokyo, Japan; Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY, USA; and Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

The Advanced Photo System incorporates a number of technological innovations, all designed to meet consumer needs. These innovations create a significant advance in simplicity, system dependability, and print quality.

At the heart of the Advanced Photo System is an all-plastic, leaderless film cassette. The new 24mm film cassette is smaller than the conventional 35mm film cartridge, and allows trouble-free film loading, more compact camera designs, and easy film status identification. After developing, the processed film is returned to the consumer in the original cassette, along with a numbered index print showing thumbnail-size images of all the photos on the roll.

The Advanced Photo System also allows a choice of three user-selectable print formats (shapes and sizes) on each roll. Additionally, some cameras are able to record a variety of picture-taking information onto a magnetic strip on the film itself. During processing, the magnetic data is communicated to the photofinisher, thereby resulting in higher quality prints.

The Advanced Photo System makes it easier than ever for consumers to take better pictures. The cameras are now much easier to load. Magnetic data (information exchange) helps photofinishers produce more high-quality prints from each roll. And the choice of three print formats helps consumers capture their special moments exactly as they see them.

Advanced Photo System Main Features

Ease of Use

Drop-In Film Loading is quick and easy. The user simply opens the film chamber door, drops in the film cassette (it only fits in one way), and closes the door. Film threading, advance, and rewind are completely automatic. Power rewind can be activated at any time.
A bar code on the film cassette provides the photofinisher with film manufacturer?s information. The filmstrip also carries this same information.
After processing, the Negatives are Returned in the Cassette for easy storage and protection. For reference, a handy Index Print showing thumbnail-size images of all the photos on the roll is included with the processed film. A matching ID number on the cassette and index print makes it a snap to organize and locate negatives, and order reprints.

Reliability

The film leader is contained within the cassette. The user does not have to touch the film, cassette handling is completely carefree, and the film cannot be pulled out of the cassette unintentionally.
Visual Exposure Indicators (VEI) on the film cassette indicate exposure status (fresh, further exposure possible, exposed, or processed). By referring to these indicators, the consumer does not have to worry about loading an exposed or processed film by mistake.
Double Exposure Prevention (DEP) enables the camera to automatically detect if an exposed film cassette has inadvertently been inserted, and prevents the film from being unintentionally exposed again.

Expanded Functions

Information Exchange (IX) magnetically records picture-taking information and user-selected data directly onto the filmstrip, for automatic communication to the photofinisher.
Three selectable Print Aspect Ratios (print formats) provide a high degree of creative flexibility in picture composition. The user can select C (Classic 2:3 ratio), P (Panoramic 1:3 ratio), and H (High Definition TV screen ratio of 9:16). Each roll of film can contain completely mixed formats, and formats can be switched when ordering reprints.
Mid-Roll Change allows the user to rewind a partially used film, unload it, and later reload it for further exposures. When the cassette is reinserted, the camera advances the film up to the first unexposed frame. The user can switch film rolls, types, or ISOs at any time, and no frames will be wasted. Mid-Roll Change is available only on select cameras.
On specific cameras, Print Quantity Selection lets the user indicate a desired amount of prints (up to 9) to be made of a particular shot, before the picture is taken. If the shot does not work out, the user can reset the print quantity to zero.
Back Imprinting allows user-selected data such as date/time/specific titles to be imprinted onto the back of each photo.

Improved Picture Quality

Print Quality Improvement (PQI) magnetically records picture-taking information directly onto the film for automatic communication to the photofinisher. Depending on the camera, information such as fixed time print mode, lens focal length, exposure setting, ISO, flash fire, scene brightness, artificial illumination, backlighting, print format, titles, print quantities, date & time, and film orientation can be recorded.
On select cameras, Fixed Time Print Mode is recorded magnetically onto the film to override the photo finishing equipment?s automatic color and exposure compensation, so that the film will be printed exactly as it was exposed at the time the pictures were taken.

System Potential

Mid-Roll Change allows a new utilization of cameras and films, enabling the user to quickly switch back and forth between print and slide films, different ISO films, and various film types, all with one camera. Films can now be used for specific purposes. For example, one roll can be used only to record plant growth, another can be used for pets, and another roll can be used exclusively for family photos.
The Advanced Photo System film cassette also allows new picture-viewing capabilities such as the index print, and special photo cassette players which can be connected to a TV. Furthermore, the wide variety of information available through IX gives the Advanced Photo System the potential to utilize photographic images for electronic imaging.