Solid body camera for 126 cartridge film 26x26mm. Meniscus lens, fixed aperture. Two speed shutter bright/hazy sun-flash. Direct vision optical finder. Lever wind. Shoe flash contacts. Overall: 62 mm x 105 mm x 50 mm.
Kodak Instamatic 50, made by Kodak Limited in the United Kingdom, from 1963.
Meniscus lens, fixed aperture. Two speed shutter bright/hazy sun-flash. Direct vision optical finder. Lever wind. Shoe flash contacts.
The Instamatic series of pocket cameras was first launched in 1963 with the Instamatic 50 being the first to appear in the UK. The Instamatic 100 was the first to be released in the US. Instamatics were inexpensive and easy to load, using 126 and 110 film cartridges, their ease of use made them an immediate success. The Instamatic 50 had very simple exposure controls - just a 'sunny' and 'cloudy/flash' setting.
Type: viewfinder camera
Manufacturer: Kodak, Kodak Ltd.
Year of launch: 1963
Film: type 126 film cartridges for 28×28 mm exposures
Lens: 1:11/43 meniscus lens, focusing fixed
Shutter: switchable to speeds 1/40 (flash synch.) and 1/90 sec.
Flash: connector for special flash
he Kodak Brownie Vecta was a moulded plastic 127 film camera made in the UK by Kodak Ltd. from September 1963 until 1966. The design was by Kenneth Grange, and meant to give a comfortable holding position to minimise camera shake.
Introduced in 1963, the Vecta was a bold modern replacement for the Brownie 127 model II. However it was short lived as the vecta was discontinued in 1966, shortly after the (equally unsucsessful) 127 Model 3 was introduced.
The Vecta is a radical design, unlike anything else Kodak produced, and while it may look slightly ugly to modern eyes, it must have appeared very futuristic (and ugly!) in it's day. The shaping is (apparently) ergonmically designed to make it easier to grip than more basic box. However in practise it can be quite clumbersome.
The Vecta takes 8 shots per roll like most of it's predecessors but in a vertical format, rather like a modern 645 120 camera. One of the downsides of this is the the winder knob "goes the wrong way" - turning anti-clockwise, even though it's on the right hand side of the camera: I just kept getting it wrong. It does have multiple exposure prevention though.
In brief tests, the results look quite promising - OK it's a Brownie, so isn't going to be producing anything stunning, but the optics seem a little sharper than many of Kodak's offerings of the period
The f/14 plastic lens had a fixed aperture, and there was only a single shutter speed; the controls being limited to the bar-shaped shutter release on the front and the winding knob on the photographer's right. Images were portrait format, 1⅝ × 2½ inches on 127 film.
Câmara gentilmente cedida por Maria Hermengarda Ribeiro
Características
When most people talk about Polaroid cameras, they mean the popular and relatively cheap models of the 1980s and 1990s that used film packs with integral batteries that were designated the 600 series. The "instant" prints measure 79mm (3.1") square with a white border around them and take around 3 minutes to fully develop at 70°F (21°C). The film has an ISO rating of 640. The film was branded with several different names over the years, including "Extreme 600" and "Notepad". A high definition "professional" film named "779" could also be used with cameras from the 600 series. Some of the cameras had 'sonar' autofocus and/or featured glass lenses, but most had plastic lenses with a fixed focus of around 4 feet. A "close-up" lens was often included, but this took the form of a simple plastic meniscus that slid into place. Many of the models are functionally identical to others but have different coloured fascia, names and stickers according to marketing territory. Several models were limited editions with tie-ins to icons of popular culture, such as Barbie or the Spice Girls, while other versions were promotional items made for corporate entities and are now highly collectible thanks to their rarity.
Softer edges appeared in, with some models sharing names the names of previous successes, such as "One Step". All of these cameras have close-up lenses or autofocus and the exposure compensation slider.
Polaroid One Step (curved corners) (The basic fixed-focus model.)
Variant names and designs included: Polaroid 600 Business Edition 2, Polaroid 636, Polaroid 636 Closeup, Polaroid 780, Polaroid 2000, Polaroid Barbie, Polaroid CoolCam, Polaroid Descartes, Polaroid Easy (636 Closeup), Polaroid Family, Polaroid Hello Kitty, Polaroid Jagermeister, Polaroid Job Pro 2, Polaroid Tomy Kodomo, Polaroid Legoland, Polaroid OneStep Close Up, Polaroid OneStep Flash, Polaroid OneStep Version II, Polaroid Popcam, Polaroid Spirit CL, Polaroid State Farm Insurance, Polaroid Street Photo Night Cam, Polaroid Tecate, Polaroid Zoe Cam
Not to be confused with the One Step that used SX-70 film, the later Polaroid One Step (with curved corners) introduced a new generation of models in Polaroid's 600-series.
Lens: 116mm, f/11, Single-element plastic, with sliding close-up attachment.
Fixed-focus (sharpest at 4-5 feet).
Shutter: electronic; automatic speed between 1/4-1/200 sec.
Integral auto flash that works in low light but cannot be forced on or off.
Polaroid's Light Management System (the darken/lighten exposure correction slider).
Instamatic was Kodak's trademark name for their easy-load 126 cartridge film cameras, launched in February 1963 with the Instamatic 50. Later, in 1972 Kodak used the name Pocket Instamatic for some of their 110 cartridge cameras; other 110 models were branded Ektra or Ektralite, and for Super8 8mm movie cameras and projectors. Kodak 126 Instamatics were a great success and sold around 60 million by 1976; thus "Instamatic" became a generic term for cartridge-loading - or any plain point-and-shoot - cameras, irrespective of manufacturer.
Frequently "Instamatic" was used in error to refer to Kodak's instant cameras. Due to the strong association of Instamatic with 126 cameras, the name was not used for Instant cameras, which were instead branded Kodamatic, Colorburst, EK or simply Kodak Instant.
Instamatic cameras were manufactured in various plants across the world, in particular by Kodak in the US, by Kodak AG in Germany, and by Kodak Ltd in the UK. Kodak. SA Spain. Instamatic models continued until c.1988.
Whilst most Instamatics were simple "snapshot" cameras, made of plastic with very few, or no, adjustments, the range extended through designs with metal chassis, light meters or automatic exposure, rangefinders and even an SLR with interchangeable lenses. There were also add-ons such as teleconverter lenses, viewfinders etc.
Early Instamatics (e.g. Instamatic 50) had a special flash adaptor for either AG-1 bulbs or (later) Flashcubes; a few had a pop-up flash gun. Later models used Flashcubes or ("X" models) Magicubes without an adaptor. From 1975, 126 and 110 models were introduced to use the new Flipflash system.
Model numbers ending in 0 have pop-up flash gun; ending in 4 have Flashcube socket, ending in X have Magicube socket. Models ending in F have Flipflash.
Until the introduction of the "Kodapak" cartridge in 1963, with it's associated "Instamatic" brand-name, cameras aimed at the consumer market were almost universally roll-film models, with all the inherent problems of loading that that type of film incurs. Now members of the public could load their own cameras with no risk of fogging the film. When the Instamatics were introduced Kodak also released Kodacolor-X for colour prints, and Kodachrome-X and Ektachrome-X for slides. With the improved performance of the new colour emulsions, all three films could be used at the same setting as the then-popular Verichrome Pan black & white film, all of which were available in 126 cartridge. The first Instamatic to be marketed was the Instamatic 50, on sale in the UK some weeks before the Instamatic 100 was launched in the USA. The Kodapak cartridge featured automatic film-speed sensing, a feature possibly first seen on the Agfa Rapid system, and now common-place, with the introduction of DX-coding of 35mm cassettes.
The concept was an immediate success, with more than 50 million Instamatic Cameras produced by 1970. Kodak produced these cameras until 1985 in Europe with the 277X, until 1988 in the USA, the last model there being the X-15F, according to Kodak's on-line Customer Service Pamphlet AA-13, though it would appear that Instamatic 126 cameras were still being produced by Kodak in Brazil in the mid-1990's. The term Instamatic went into general usage to describe any easy-to-use basic camera, which rather detracts from a range that included an interchangeable-lens SLR, several range-finder cameras, and many with top-quality lenses from the likes of Rodenstock and Schneider-Kreuznach, as well as Kodak's own renowned Ektar. Whilst the bulk of production was no doubt from Rochester in the USA, and Germany and England in Europe, cameras were also manufactured or assembled in Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and Canada, mostly for domestic sales. In Brazil, the Kodak Instamatic was apparently considered to be something of a luxury item, consequently a local manufacturer came up with the Tekinha Camaras, a minimalist option.
Brightline viewfinder and sunny/cloudy exposure settings. This example was manufactured in the UK, but I have been made aware of similar "camaras" being produced in Brazil.
Name: Kodak Instamatic 177X
Produced between: 1977 - 1984
Lens: f/11, 43mm
Shutter: 1/40, 1/80
Film type: 126 cartridge
Picture size: 28 x 28 mm
Categories: instamatic
The Supercolor 635 was one of many variations in the simple plastic-bodied 600 camera line featuring the Light Management System.
A basic 600-series camera, the Supercolor 635 features a 116mm single-element plastic lens, fixed focus with a minimal focal length of 4 feet, electronic shutter and a built-in electronic flash. It is similar to the Sun 600 series in design, except for the beloved rainbow stripe which would be a characteristic true of the later Supercolor 635 CL edition as well.
Supercolor 635 was launched in June 1985. Its principal characteristic is the Lightmixer system which proportions the ambient light and that of the flash. It also has the system SPARR, which makes it possible to reload the flash in three seconds, as of the aperture of the camera (the flash is folded back in front of the lens in closed position).
The lens is one 14,6/109 mm. A cell reduces the risks of under or over-exposure to the flash.
This camera weighs 672 grams.
The Ilford Sprite was a basic 127 film camera, introduced by Ilford in 1962. It was made by Agilux, as a rebadged Colt 44. The body is two plastic mouldings held together by sliding metal catches at either end.
The Ilford Sprite was released in 1962 to promote Ilford's film range, much as Kodak sold their Brownie range. It's stylings are reminicent of many of the Brownie cameras from the late 50's early 60's - particularly the Brownie Holiday, and it supportes two apertures, labeled "colour"(note UK spelling!) and "b&w". Inside we find the label "Always use no 127 Ilford films. Ilfocolor [USA spelling now!] for colour [UK! make up their minds] prints, Selochrome Pan for black and white prints".
Like most of Ilfords camera offerings, the sprite is simply a rebadged version of something else - in this case the Agilux Colt 44.
The sprite uses the 4x4 12/roll format, and came in a rather nasty plastic ever-ready case.
The Sprite 127 is of very simple grey plastic construction, with a single snapshot shutter speed and a single element plastic meniscus lens with 2 apertures, adjustable via a sliding lever below the lens. The apertures are probably around f16 (for faster speed monochrome film) and f11 (for slower colour film). The sliding lever is correspondingly marked 'Colour' & 'B & W'. The camera provided 12 square negatives 4x4cm on 127 roll film. The film is wound on manually, using the top mounted knob, and centred to each new picture area by aligning the appropriate number in the rear red window. It sold for £1.3s.6d (£1 .18p) (price extracted from Andy Holliman's information).
The longitudinal film path is curved, as can be seen in the right hand picture above. This both provides a pleasantly curved shape to the camera body while also providing a means of 'correcting' curvature of field from the simple lens, in one dimension at least.
Coronet Camera Co. Birmingham, England.
Coronet Camera Co. 1926-1946
Coronet Ltd. 1946-1967
Standard Cameras Ltd. c1931-1955
This company was formed c1926 by F.W.Pettifer and manufactured a large number of cheap box and folding cameras until c1967. Many of its cameras were distributed via premium schemes or mail order catalogues. Most of its pre-war box cameras and post 1945 plastic molded cameras appear with different nameplates and lens panel stylings. The company linked up with Tiranty of Paris after WMII to produce cameras and avoid French import restrictions. These cameras usually have 'Made in France' and French instructions on controls and include the Rapide, Le Polo, Weekend and Fildia.
Throughout its life the firm produced various Coronet accessories, flash units, closeup filters and viewers and its own Coronet film in 120 and 127 sizes. Close links between Coronet, Standard Cameras Ltd. and Conway cameras exist with molds and body parts being interchanged. Over 50 different Coronets exist.
Made in the mid to late 50's in the UK, this is a Coronet 4...4 camera. It is one of a series of cameras from coronet that all looked similar, and are listed in catalogues as being made of bakelite.
I am not sure it is genuine bakelite despite catalogue listings, but it is a thick black bakelite type plastic, and may well be the real thing. Is a pretty featrureless simple camera for 4 X 4 exposures on 127 film. It has a simple everset shutter, and a meniscus lens. It has nice contrasting light grey knobs, and the shutter release has a sliding locking mechanism.
This camera is quite pleasantly shaped, and makes a great display peice. If it had been a better camera, it would have been a folding camera with bellows, but in these cheaply made Coronets the bellows has been replaced by a bakelite tube, giving the camera its odd shape.
It has nice vertical "ribbing " on the tube, and horizontal "ribbing" on the front of the camera body. The top and bottom of the body, and the viewfinder tube are smooth black shiny bakelite. The removeable back is crinkle "Japan" finish metal.
The side clasps are brushed chrome with black enamel contrasting panels. The brished chrome front panel with red lettering and gemetric patern holes to allow the contrasting black bakelite to show through complete the picture.
It is quite a pretty camera. A really nice peice for the shelf!
Moulded thermosetting plastic, inexpensive and simple camera. To all intents and purposes, a box camera with a more interesting shape, although in fairness to box cameras - some were fully adjustable. Initially I tended to dislike these types of camera, but nowadays I've warmed to them. When I think of the countless millions of family moments this camera, and others like it, must have recorded - I think it's earned a place for all time in the museum of the "humble and unloved". A friend remembers having one new in 1958, and it is this fact which forms the basis of the date for this camera. The Coronet Camera Co. operated out of Birmingham and concentrated upon the mass market, they are probably best known for their coloured Coronet Midget range of cameras that have, inexplicably, become spectacularly collectable.
The Jupiter camera was manufactured by Perico Producs, 623 Holloeay Road, London, in 1950. It was a plastic camera which captured 3x4cm frames on 127 rollfilm film. This candid type camera featured a fix focus lens and a simple time and instantaneous shutter working at 1/25 of a second. Film replacement was inconvenient due to the need to unscrew a fitting on the view finder and remove whole back to replace film.
Especificações
Manufactured: Perico Producs, London, England
Type: Viewfinder/box
In production: 1950 (at least)
Film type: 127 film, 4x4cm frames
Lens: plastic meniscus; two apertures ("colour" & "B-W").
he Agiflash 44 was made in Croydon, England by the Agilux company from 1959-64. It succeeded the Bakelite Agiflash, and was initially made of black plastic with alloy pressings. It had a built-in flash bulb holder powered by a 22.5v battery in the base with a small flip-up cover. Opening this a small separate reflector was held in place by the tension of the cover spring. Later models had a dark grey plastic body with the top pressing replaced by a light grey plastic moulding with a larger flash reflector.
Images were 4x4cm on 127 film, with a lever advance. A small lever above the lens selects between two apertures, labelled "Colour" and "B-W".
The later plastic versions of this camera were also sold rebadged as Ilford Imp. There are also examples labelled in French.
he Agiflash 44 camera was manufactured by Agilux Ltd of Croydon, England from approximately 1959 to 1964. Constructed of black or Grey Bakelite plastic and with a metal faceplate and metal top cover. The grey colored models were manufactured after 1960. This camera was capable of capturing eight 4 x 6.5 exposures on number 127 roll film. It featured a film setting for B&W or colored film, a synchronized flash with a covered socket on the top of the camera to accept a no. 5 bulb.
AGI (Aeronautical and General Instruments Co. of Croydon, England), a maker of instruments for military purposes, was founded in 1915. In 1936 it was based in Croydon. It made a military aerial reflex camera which resembled the Reflex Korelle. After the war British imports of optical goods were limited so that it was an attractive opportunity for AGI to found Agilux Ltd. in 1946 (or 1947) as a subsidiary to make cameras for the civilian market. Among the first products was a civilian successor of AGI'S reflex camera, the Agiflex. As well as their own brand, Agilux made cameras for others, including Ilford. Most of AGI's products were slightly unusual in that AGI made all of the components, including the lenses and shutters. The company abandoned general camera production in the early 1960s (AGI filed patents for shutters in the 1980s[1]) AGI (now Aeronautical & General Instruments Ltd. in Poole, Dorset) still manufactures a wide range of instruments and systems, for the defence and civilian markets. These include a gun-barrel inspection camera.[2] The parent company AGI Holdings was bought by private equity firm J.F. Lehmann in 2014.[3]
