[djrogers]

> But, as for size, photo cameras sporting film smaller than 35 were rare.

Strong disagree here. 126 film is what brought color photography to the mass market, and others like the Kodak Disc were wildly popular among point-n-shoot users.

35mm was standard for pro photogs, but consumers went for convenience.

[djrogers]

I should also point out that while 126 popularized color photography, a decade later 110 came along and largely dominated consumer photography until the digital revolution.

[tagoregrtst]

126? 110 (other comment)? By that token betamax was a successful format in 1975 before VHS launched.

35mm was the top selling film since the 1960s until digital took over.

You went to any drugstore and you found 35mm. Maybe a box or two of APS. Maybe some medium format. But you could find 35mm in every drugstore, gas station, street vendor in a tourist trap without fail.

Professionals used 35mm because it was snaller than MF and for many things good enough. Otherwise it was considered consumer grade.