QuickTake

The QuickTake was one of the first lines of consumer digital cameras, designed and marketed by Apple Computer. Launched in 1994, the product line had a relatively short lifespan, with only three models: the QuickTake 100, 150, and the redesigned 200. Each had a modest resolution—just 640 x 480 pixels maximum, but they featured the simple usability that Apple is known for, and were a glimpse into the future of photography.

Models

 * QuickTake 100 (1994) manufactured by Kodak.
 * QuickTake 150 (1995) manufactured by Kodak.
 * QuickTake 200 (1996) manufactured by Fujifilm.

History
In 1992, Apple Computer began developing its first digital camera - codenamed "Venus". At that time, over 12 billion were spent annually in the US for photography. Therefore, there was a huge potential market for digital photography. The QuickTake 100 digital camera was an easy-to use digital camera with a 1MB Compact Flash card. By releasing a connection-kit for Microsoft Windows for the QuickTake 150 Apple tried to sell its digital camera to Windows users as well as Macintosh users. Unfortunately the QuickTake digital camera did not sell very well due to other companies such as Kodak, Fujifilm, Canon, Sony and Nikon coming onto the digital market who had a more common name than Apple did for photography hardware. The QuickTake was discontinued in 1997 and all development was stopped.

Usage
The QuickTake is perfectly usable with modern computers by using a "card-reader" which can read any digital camera cards. This enables you to use your QuickTake with any computer including PCs and new Macintosh computers running Mac OS X with iPhoto. Using a card-reader is simple and easier than buying a serial cable to connect the QuickTake to an old Macintosh running System 7 and using Apple QuickTake camera software.

Collecting
The Apple QuickTake camera is a rare piece of Apple hardware which was only developed for a small amount of time and discontinued in 1997. Specimens can be found on auction sites or online marketplaces. Prices can range between $50 to $300 for a used QuickTake camera, depending on the condition and whether the original packaging, CDs, cables, memory cards and other accessories are included.

Articles

 * QuickTake was Apple’s first doomed foray into digital photography by David Pierini at Cult of Mac (2015-07-16)
 * Throwback Thursday: Apple QuickTake cameras, pioneers of consumer digital photography by Jeff Keller at Digital Photography Review (2016-12-29)
 * Apple's Largely Forgotten QuickTake 150 Digital Camera by Leo Titus LeBron V at Low End Mac (2009-08-10)