[snoopy 'n linus]

The additive process was used in the early days of video cameras. I just pulled out my 1978 JVC Color video Model CV-0001 that used the red, blue, green filters to augment the black and white video images and produced surprisingly good images on tapes. Even today, third century later, the tapes demonstrate remarkable color images.

When I told folks walking up to inquire whether I was doing a photo-documentary they were surprised when I explained the process and couldn't believe the camera was actually black and white and that filters could make a dramatic difference.

The camera is about 2.5” x 4.2” x 7.8”, weighs about six pounds and is separate from the recorder to which the camera is attached using a six-foot video cable. In total, the combination weighs about 20 pounds and was quite a load.

I've gone through about seven subsequent recorder cameras and each produces better results; but, I still remember fondly the early days but still wouldn't want to revert from our era with stick it in your shirt pocket convenience.

Thanks for the wonderful explanation that triggered this memory.

[Squawk 8888]

Yep, today’s still and video cameras still use filters on each pixel. The breakthrough came in the 80’s when they managed to place microscopic filter lattices on the video pickup tubes, enabling the production of colour cameras with a single tube- previous cameras had a beamsplitter and three tubes, one for each colour, and were costly and a beast to maintain.