Today in Photography: July 20

On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to set foot on the moon. The Apollo 11 astronauts recorded their experience with Hasselblad 500EL cameras and 70mm Kodak film.

 

The Hasselblad used on the moon's surface was specially modified with an engraved glass Reseau plate. The plate's cross hairs were recorded on the film, giving NASA the ability to use the photos to determine distances and heights. The camera was also equipped with a Zeiss Biogon f-5.6/60 mm lens, created for NASA and later released commercially, and a removable polarizing filter. Because of the moon's extreme temperatures, the camera and magazines were painted silver in an attempt to maintain more uniform internal temperatures. 

Check out NASA's Apollo 11 image gallery here. 

NASA photo AS11-40-5875. Buzz Aldrin salutes the U.S. flag.