JF Ptak 

There is an origin certainly for the reference to “shooting” fil or “shooting” a movie and such, and I think that it is fair to say that the following two illustrations of photographic innovations will explain that origin.  The first is E. Enjalbert’s “photo-revolver”, a woodcut and explanation of which appeared in Scientific American (“”A Photographic Revolver for Amateurs” ) May 17, 1884.  It really is an ingenious thing:  the lens of the camera was located in the barrel (#2) with the camera apparatus in section “H”; the photo-sensitive plates (life sized at #3), are both pushed forward and down with the action of the trigger/hammer.  It is a snappy design. On the other hand I don’t think I’d want to actually use the thing in an urban environment, as there might not be time for an explanation that “this is a ….”. 

(From the signature at bottom right of teh wood engraver this was no doubt published earlier in La Nature.)

And then there’s the great Etienne Marey’s “Fusil Photographique”, as it appeared in La Nature in 1882, which was an early and significant step in the development of cinematography, though again a highly problematic and time-invasive explanation out in public might escape the user:

If there was any debate on the origin of the above-mentioned phrase, this might sway it.