Despite the potential benefits, APS never really caught on with professional photographers because of the significantly smaller film area (58% of 135 film) and narrow selection of film types. In controlled testing, Popular Photography found that prints from one new emulsion developed for APS were significantly sharper than an equivalently-sized prints using a legacy 135 film emulsion, despite having to enlarge the APS frame by a greater magnification ratio. However, the new emulsion also could be (and later was) used for 35 mm film, eliminating the advantage of the smaller format. Film selection also hindered adoption of APS. Initially, only color print film was available, with a limited selection of film speeds. Color slide film, popular with professional photographers, proved unpopular in APS format and was soon discontinued, although chromogenic black-and-white IX240 film continued to be produced.
Despite the potential benefits APS never really caught on with professional photographers because of the significantly smaller film area (58% of 135 film) and narrow selection of film types. In controlled testing, Popular Photography found that prints from one new emulsion developed for APS were significantly sharper than an equivalently-sized prints using a legacy 135 film emulsion, despite having to enlarge the APS frame by a greater magnification ratio. However, the new emulsion also could be (and later was) used for 35 mm film, eliminating the advantage of the smaller format. Film selection also hindered adoption of APS. Initially, only color print film was available, with a limited selection of film speeds Color slide film, popular with professional photographers, proved unpopular in APS format and was soon discontinued although chromogenic black-and-white IX240 film continued to be produced.