Sunday, November 17, 2013

Kodak Instamatic 304


It is after my latest purchase, that I suddenly realised that all my vintage cameras are Kodaks. That was completely not intentional. Maybe I just like the look of Kodaks. Maybe it's because my first camera was a Kodak when I was a kid. Actually, my first digital camera was a Kodak too... And I only realised all this now.
Anyway, my latest purchase (at my favourite antiques fair we have here in Perth 3 times a year) was a Kodak 304 Instamatic Camera.
Inside it says it was serviced on the 11th of August 1967.
So, what can I find out about this camera?
It was Introduced in 1965 and the film format was 126. It has a Kodar 41mm f/8 lens with two shutter speeds: 1/90 and 1/40 for flash photography although mine does not have a flash. A small cubed flash can be added.
This website here has more on the camera:
http://www.vintagecameralab.com/kodak-instamatic-304/

They say it was worth $325 back in it's day. I only payed $20 for mine. The camera is clipped into an interesting black hard case which you open to take a photo. It also came with a leather carry bag which smells very old, and has "Exclusive to Kodak, made by Denzil Don, Melbourne" stamped on the bottom. The camera needs a bit of a clean up and then I may try some modifications.
This website tells how to convert a 126 to take 35mm:
http://www.betweenthesprockets.com/?p=614

The Brownie 127 (Second Model)

I bought this camera at a camera fair I went to a year or so ago. This model was the 2nd version made of this particular type of camera. It was in production between 1959-1963. The lens is a Dakon F/11 plastic lens. They were made for 127 films. I just opened the back of my camera after some time, and didn't realise that I must have made a modification at some point and there is some 35mm film loaded. So I may well have just exposed part of that. It's a pity a note wasn't made of it, I have no idea how much film has been used.