Mr. Martin's Web Page - Camera Museum - 126 Cameras
Camera Museum - 126 Cameras
Copyright Mark D. Martin 2004-2023, All Rights Reserved

Home | Photos | Museum | Energy & Environment | Links | Martin | Class Web Site | Email

CamHome | 35SLR | 35SLRAuto | 35Other | Med-Lg | 126 | Submin | Movie | Digital | Projectors | Scopes

126 cameras are near and dear to my heart. The first camera I used, a Kodak Instamatic 104, and the first camera that was mine, a Minolta Autopak 600-X, were 126 cameras that are in the museum. While 126 cameras were generally unsophisticated point and shoot cameras, many were quite sophisticated cameras capable of excellent results. The key to the 126 camera success beginning in the early 60s was easy loading, drop in film cartridges. The widespread advent of quick loading and autofocus 35mm cameras by the 1980s spelled the demise of 126 cameras (except on E-bay at bargin prices). Select a brand below. For detailed information, select "History and Technology."

Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

GAF Anscomatic Cameras

[GAF Anscomatic 726]
GAF Anscomatic 726 (Large Image) (Circa 1966) The Anscomatic 726 is a relatively sophisticated rangefinder 126 camera made in Japan by Petri. It has an Anscomatic 38mm f2.8-22 lens with shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/500 second. Close focus is about 2.75 feet. It took two 1.5 volt AA batteries I presume for the flash, and a PX625 mercury battery for the exposure system. The PX 625 mercury battery is no longer available and hence substitutes must be found. (See, e.g., cameragx.com.) 126 film cartridges are also not available. Some people load 35mm film into old cartridges as explained at quirkyguywithacamera.blogspot.com. The camera had shutter priority automatic exposure using a CdS meter. (The metering was not through the lens. There is a small metering cell window just above the lens.) To use shutter priority automatic exposure, set the aperture ring to auto, then select the shutter speed. The camera then selects the correct aperture. A needle in the viewfinder shows the aperture. You could also set the aperture and shutter speed manually. Focusing was with the rangefinder. Flash was with flash cubes. My camera is in good cosmetic condition. The rangefinder and aperture work. I cannot get the shutter to open although sometimes it's a tricky getting the shutter to work on 126 cameras without film. 126 cameras have a prong that goes down when the shutter is released so that the film can be advanced. As the film is advanced the prong pops up fitting into a hole in the film and backing. The prong appears to be working correctly. The original list price was $89.95. (camera-wiki.) As I write this in December 2022, that's equal to about $840 adjusted for inflation. The lens is listed as containing the radioactive element Thorium. (oraw.org.) While this is unlikely to be a danger, it can cause the lens to darken and develop a "warmer" tone. I likely purchased this camera at a garage sale many years ago. It has a handwritten $10 sticker on it. I don't know if I paid that much.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Argus

The two Argus models I have are the Argus Instant Load 260 and 264. These both appear to have been made by Mamiya and I have therefore put them in the Mamiya section below. Mamiya made at least these two 126 film cartridge models as well as the Keystone K1020 SLR 126 film cartridge camera. To my knowledge Mamiya did not make or sell any 126 cartridge cameras under the Mamiya brand name. I have also seen an Argus 257 Instant Load at Flickr and at Argus Museum. Argus Museum describes it as a "slightly simplier, less expensive version of the Argus 260. This camera offered the same fully automatic exposure system, also featuring zone focusing, but did not have a bright-line viewfinder or zone focus symbols visible in the viewfinder. It sold for $45 with film and batteries." It was apparently made by Mamiya also.

Argus marketed at least 17 different 126 cartridge cameras as listed at Camera-Wiki - Argus. They all appear to have been made by other manufacturers and branded Argus. For example, the 270 and 284 were made in Japan by Sedic according to Camera-Wiki. Others such as the Argus 164 Carefree and Argus Solid State Electronic 374 were made by Balda in Germany according to Camera-Wiki.

Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Canon Canomatic and Autoload Cameras

[Bell & Howell Autoload 340]
Bell & Howell Autoload 340, (July 1966). The Canon Camera Museum (under film cameras - other) indicates 40mm, f3.5-22 lens. 3 elements in 3 groups. Two shutter speeds, 1/30 and 1/250 second. One 1.3 volt mercury battery for exposure meter (compartment in upper left of film compartment). Two AAA batteries for flash (compartment in bottom of camera). Focusing to 2.6 feet using distance scale. Film speeds of ISO 64 and 160 set automatically. Made in Japan by Canon for sale under the Bell & Howell name. Purchased 1-11-06 on eBay for $2.99 plus $4.99 shipping. In good cosmetic condition with working shutter. I have not checked meter or flash. Some corrosion in battery compartments.
[Bell & Howell Autoload 342]
Bell & Howell Autoload 342 (Marketed February 1969) (Large Image, Back) 126 film cartridge viewfinder camera made in Japan by Canon. It is basically the same as the Canon M70 below except the Bell & Howell Autoload 342 has unique "Focus-Matic" focusing while the M70 had adjustable focus using a distance scale. According to the Canon Camera Museum: "The delta rangefinder [on the 342] was operated by a focusing lever for fully automatic focusing in seven steps from near distances to infinity. (The system was called Focusmatic.)" Under focusing in the specifications, Canon Camera Museum states: "Canon-developed full-auto Focusmatic with focusing lever. Triangulation system with pendulum and pendulum cam for automatic focusing. The pendulum cam divides the focusing distance into 7 steps from the minimum distance to infinity. For EV 11 (f/5.6 at 1/125 sec., ISO 100) and brighter conditions, pan focusing is set for all subject distances (4 ft – 30 ft or infinity)." Mike Eckman states: "The Autoload 342 had an innovative Focus-matic system that used a delta rangefinder that worked using a moving ball bearing that would trap the focus distance of the lens depending on the angle of the camera to the ground. This type of mechanical auto-focus is unique to this camera and its predecessor, the Autoload 341." Eyescoffee.com has the portion of the manual describing the Focus-Matic focusing. It is very helpful.
Basically, the camera measures the angle between the camera and the ground where the subject is. As this angle becomes smaller the distance between the camera and the subject becomes shorter. By using simple trigonometry we can calculate the precise distance between the camera if we know the height of the camera above the ground and we know the angle between the photographer and the ground as shown in my handwritten diagram. (Be sure to look at the diagram. It's hard to explain in words.) The system is subject to some assumptions including having flat ground and I assume a photographer of average height standing up straight. It works great for a typical full-length portrait of someone standing. There is a horizonal line in the middle of the viewfinder. You line this up with the feet of your subject while pressing down on the "Focus-Matic" lever. The lever is releasing a pendulum which measures the angle. You then release the "Focus-Matic" lever. This locks in the angle measurement. The camera is set up to "convert" this to a distance measurement which shows up in feet on distance scale on the top right of the lens assembly. It is an entirely mechanical system that does not rely on any electronics. Overall, the system is quite ingenious. It does require flat ground and a standing photographer. It also is limited to seven steps which are apparently those on the distance scale in feet of 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30 and infinity. Obviously, modern autofocus systems are much faster and more precise, but this was pretty cool for 1969. Additionally, you could probably do just as well with estimating focus especially if you had a depth of field scale on the camera. But the "Focus-Matic" still has a "wow" factor. There was also a Bell & Howell Autoload 341 Focus-Matic, a 126 film camera, and the Bell & Howell Auto 35/2.8 Focus Matic, a 35mm film camera. While both of these had the Focus-Matic feature, it only showed the distance. The photographer still had to set the distance on the camera. With the Autoload 342 the focus distance is automatically set. Mike Eckman goes into great detail about the camera noting that while innovative, this Focus-Matic feature was used only on these three still cameras. There were several Bell & Howell movie cameras with "Focus-Matic" which appear to use a similar type of mechanism, however.

Besides Focus-Matic, the Autoload 342 was unique at the time because it had an Electric Motor Drive powered by two 1.5 volt AAA batteries. While several Kodak Instamatic 126 cameras had automatic film advance, they were spring wound and did not use batteries. The 342 also was quite sophisticated in showing the shutter speed information from 1/30 to 1/500 second in the viewfinder. There was also a 1/800 setting with no marking. Apertures were not displayed, but ranged from f2.8 to f13. The lens is 40mm f2.8 with 4 elements in three groups. Metering is with a Selenium photocell which surrounds the lens. The Selenium meter does not require battery power. The batteries only power the electric drive and fire the flashcube. (These were regular flashcubes, not Magicubes.) The camera utilized the "flashmatic system with flashcubes. Flash exposure is controlled automatically to suit the subject distance and flash aperture." (Canon Camera Museum - Specifications. Film speed is also automatically set at ISO 64 to 160 by the film cartridge. There was no manual control over the exposure. The camera was remarkable in having so many automatic features that would become commonplace for point and shoot cameras by the late 1980s. With the Autoload 342, most of those features were mechanically controlled, however, while in the 1980s they were electronically controlled. A 1970 magazine ad for sale on eBay for the Autoload 341 says it sells for less than $88. That's about $700 in April 2023 dollars.

I purchased my Bell & Howell Autoload 342 for $2.53 plus $7.50 shipping on December 20, 2006 on eBay. It is in good cosmetic condition. The Focus-Matic works, the film advance works, and the shutter fires. The Selenium meter does not appear to work. The aperture appears to always remain wide open. I bought a second one as I was writing this on May 22, 2023 on eBay for $6 plus $8.82 shipping plus $.51 tax for a total of $15.33. I'm so intrigued by the Focus-Matic that I may take one of the cameras apart!

[Canon M70]
Canon Canomatic M70, (1970) 40mm, f2.8 lens, selenium meter encircling lens, accepts screw on filters, close focus 1.2 meters, shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/500 visible in viewfinder and 1/800 unmarked, adjustable focus using distance scale, tripod mount, shutter release cable connection. Film speed from 64 to 160 automatically set. Uses regular flash cubes with automatic exposure based on distance. The "Canomatic" name is recycled from Canon's earlier R mount Canomatic lenses for their early Canon Canonflex 35mm SLR cameras. (See Canon Camera Museum - R Mount 1959-1963.) The Canon Camera Museum (under film cameras - other) explains that because the 126 cartridge system did not provide for an adjustable film plane, a longer focal length lens or greater aperture was not possible. Canon later discontinued their 126 cameras. (Originally, I thought Canon did not make 126 cameras. Thanks to Frank Calandra at The Photographic Historical Society in Rochester, New York for telling me about the Canon 126 cameras.) The M70 is essentially the same as the Bell & Howell Autoload 342 made by Canon except the 342 has a delta rangefinder focusing system. An underwater housing rated to 15 meters could be purchased for the M70. My camera was purchsed on eBay on 12-13-05 for $5.99 with $5.40 shipping (actual shipping was $8.50). It included 6 new flashcubes in their original packaging and an ever-ready plastic case. The seller even included a Vivitar 252 electronic flash. The camera and case are in excellent cosmetic and working condition. The only cosmetic distraction is security numbers engraved on the top of the camera. The meter works and the battery compartment is clean. Operates on two AAA batteries which were included. The batteries power the automatic film advance (works well but noisy) and are needed for the regular flash cubes. The shutter will not fire without the batteries.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Kodak Instamatic Cameras

[Kodak 100 Instamatic]
Kodak 100 Instamatic, very simple, fixed focus, fixed aperture, no exposure meter, with pop up flasholder taking single AG-1 type flash bulbs. Two shutter speeds: 1/90 second with flasholder down, 1/45 second with flasholder up. The 100 is apparently the first Instamatic for the U.S. market. The Kodak Instamatic 50 was released some weeks before that in the United Kingdom according to the fantastic site, Kodak Classics by Mischa Koning. According to the same site, the lens is a 43mm, f11 lens. According to Kodak History the 100 sold from 1963 to 1966 at a price of $15.95, over $100 in 2005 dollars. It was made in Rochester, New York. My 100 was purchased for $1.99 on July 18, 2005 at a Salvation Army store in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is in good cosmetic and working condition with perhaps some leakage of the batteries. It came with a case and the instruction booklet. Oz Camera has a good explanation of the levels of sophistication among Kodak Instamatic models.
[Kodak Instamatic 104]


Kodak 104 Instamatic, This was the actual family camera I remember growing up and the first camera I remember using. I remember liking to take photos from an early age. My dad and I took this camera to Alaska when I was 13. I remember thinking how great it would be if we had a camera with a telephoto lens. The camera is still in working condition. The 104 is a very simple, fixed focus camera with two shutter speeds, 1/90 and 1/45 (for flash), and no exposure meter. It is essentially the same camera as the Kodak Instamatic 100 except it used the new flash cubes with four flashes per cube. According Oz Camera the 104 designation reflects the 4 flashes in a flash cube. The orignal non-X series flash cubes used two AAA batteries in the camera. Kodak History site states sold from 1965 to 1968 for a list price of $15.95, or about $86 in today's dollars. I have a second 104 purchased on eBay in good working condtion with a neat box. Instamatics and the flash cube were portrayed as the groovy, hip, happening thing in this television commercial.

[Kodak Instamatic 304]

Kodak Instamatic 304, according to Kodak History sold from 1965 to 1969. Made in USA. The retail price was $44.50, which according to the consumer price index calculator equates to an astonishing $275 in 2005 dollars. According to Chris Eve's Kodak Camera Collection, the Instamatic 304 has a Kodar 41mm, f8, fix focus lens (5 feet to infinity) and two shutter speeds - 1/40 and 1/90. It has an "electric eye" selenium meter which tells you if you need a flash cube (regular, not X). Flash range is 4 feet to 9 feet, except with high speed Ektachrome file where it is 8 to 13 feet. The film advance and shutter on my camera work. It takes two AAA batteries. The batteries leaked. While the contacts do not appear to be heavily corroded, the meter and flash cubes do not work. The camera was purchased July 2, 2005 for $5 with a Poloroid One Step at a local garage sale. It still has film in it and came with a case, manual and two flash cubes. The manual has a date code of August 1966.
[Kodak Instamatic 314]
Kodak Instamatic 314, according to Kodak History sold from 1968 to 1971. The retail price was $38, which according to the consumer price index calculator equates to about $178 in 2004 dollars. Compare this unsophisticated camera with the smaller, 3.1 megapixel Kodak DX6340 digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens purchased in 2004 for $150. You get a lot more for less today! According to Chris Eve's Kodak Camera Collection, the Instamatic 314 has a Kodar 41mm, f8 lens and two shutter speeds - 1/40 and 1/90. It has an "electric eye" and a switch for focusing from 2 to 6 feet, and beyond 6 feet. It takes regular flash cubes. The film advance and shutter on my camera work. It needs two PX-825 batteries which are inserted into a compartment on the back left of the camera just below the the viewfinder. A button on the bottom, which can be rotated with a coin, locks and unlocks the battery compartment. There may have been some slight discharge from the batteries, and the cover to the shutter release is missing. The camera was purchased August 2, 2004 for $5 with two other cameras.
[Kodak Instamatic 400]
Kodak Instamatic 400, 1963-1966, Kodar 41mm, f11 lens, fixed focus, 1/40 and 1/60 shutter speeds, price new $52.50 (over $330 in 2005 dollars), mechanical automatic film advance, pop up flasholder taking single AG-1 type flash bulbs. (Sources: Kodak History, Chris Eve's Camera Collection, Oz Camera, US BLS Consumer Price Index. Takes two AAA batteries. Battery compartment looks clean. Selenium meter (unknown if operational). In fair cosmetic condition (slight corrosion on front and some paint damage on top edge) and good working condition. It still has film in it. Purchased at garage sale in July 2005.
[Kodak X-30 Instamatic]
Kodak X-30 Instamatic, electronic shutter, fixed aperture, fixed focus camera. Acquired in about 2001 at a neighborhood garage sale. In excellent conditon. Condition of meter is unknown since needs a 7R31 battery. Kodak History states sold from 1971 to 1974 at a list price of $38 (or $146 in today's dollars). The X designation means it takes "magicubes" which do not need batteries. The x-series ranged from very simple point and shoot cameras like the 44 or X-15 to a sophisticated rangefinder camera, the X-90, and single lens reflex camera, the Instamatic Reflex.
[Kodak Instamatic Reflex]
Kodak Instamatic Reflex, single lens reflex, aperture perferred automatic exposure (not TTL), adjustable shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/500, interchangable lenses, comes with 45mm, f2.8 lens. Made in Germany. First one acquired June 2004 on E-Bay. Very good working condition including exposure meter. Second one acquired July 2004 on E-bay for $7.50 with about $6 shipping. In good cosmetic condition. Have not tested meter. Manual included. Kodak History site states sold from 1968 to 1974 for a list price of $199.00, about $765 in today's dollars.
[Kodak Instamatic 500]
Kodak Instamatic 500, I have two of these in excellent working condition, both with cases, one with instruction booklet. 38mm f2.8 4-element Schneider Xenar lens (retractable for storage), focus by estimating distance, adjustable shutter speeds (1/30 to 1/500 and bulb) and aperture (f2.8 to f22), selenium match needle meter (no battery), ISO automatically set ISO 25 to 800, made in Germany. Very well built, nice feel. According to code in instruction booklet, manufactured in 1965. Kodak History site also says sold from 1964 to 1966 with a list price of $94.50, or $553.29 in today's dollars.
[Kodak Instamatic 404]
Kodak Instamatic 404 (1965-1969) (Large Image) 126 Instamatic cartridge film viewfinder camera with 41mm f8 Kodar lens and shutter speeds of 1/40 second with flash and 1/60 second without flash and an original list price of $55.50 according to Kodak Classics. That price is about $530 in April 2023 dollars. The Instamatic 404 is very similar to the Kodak Instamatic 400 except the 404 takes a flashcube instead of a pop-up flash gun. The Instamatic 404 is also very similar to the Instamatic 304 except the 304 has a manual film advance while the 404 has the automatic film advance with the spring winding mechanism. The little button in front is to eject the flashcube. The manual is at butkus.org. The manual at page 8 states: "The size of the lens opening is automatically controlled by the amount of light reflected to the electric eye by the subject." Wikipedia - Instamatic states the Instamatic 404 has a "selenium meter-controlled aperture, Cooke triplet lens and spring wind." The Selenium meters don't require a meter. The camera takes two 1.5 volt AAA batteries for the flashcube to fire, however. The manual does not specify what the apertures are besides f8. The camera has a fixed focus lens. As a result, the manual specifies that you must "keep at least 5 feet away from your subject for sharp photos." The spring wind motor is wound by turning the circular winder on top of the camera counter-clockwise. Once wound, you can take several photos with the film automatically advancing each time you press the shutter release. I don't recall where I got this camera. It is missing the cover over the winder. The black camera covering was covered from with a white chalky substance which is common with Kodak Instamatic cameras as well as plastic parts on some other cameras as they deteriorate over time. I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol and then treated it with Meguiar's Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer for cars as done at a Little Kodaks video for a Kodak Instamatic 300. (Little Kodaks uses this in several videos.) It made a real difference, although I have to see how long it lasts. The shutter fires, but only when you open and close the back film door. I don't know if this is normal or not. I don't see different apertures. I assume the Selenium meter is no longer working.
[Kodak Instamatic 814]
Kodak Instamatic 814 (1968-1970) (Large Image) 126 cartridge film camera with coupled rangefinder and Kodak Ektar 38mm f2.8 lens with selectable shutter speeds of 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and B. Additionally, the camera sets the shutter speed at 1/40 second when a flash cube is attached. It has shutter preferred automatic exposure. You select the shutter speed on the dial on the front of the camera and the camera selects the aperture. In addition to the rangefinder focusing, the focusing ring had icons for zone focusing with one person, three people and a mountain. The manual is available at usermanual.wiki. The camera has a CdS meter or "electric eye." According to the "Details" on the last page, the apertures are from f2.8 through f64. Unfortunately, there is no way to know what aperture is selected. Close focus is 3 feet. A spring motor advances the film. To wind the motor you pull the winding tape out and back about 7 times. There is a black pull tab at the bottom of the camera. The process is explained at page 7 of the manual. The film speed is automatically set by film cartridge with film speeds from ASA 64 to 800. The camera uses two PX-825 1.35 mercury batteries. These are no longer available. Little Kodaks has a YouTube video, however, that substitutes a readily available 3 volt CR 2032 battery and four nickels into the battery compartment. Brilliant! The Instamatic 814 was made in the U.S.A. While several sources use 1968-1970 for the dates of the Instamatic 814, it is interesting to note the manual on the last page has a 6-67 date code.

The camera was an upgrade from Kodak Instamatic 804 substituting the CdS meter for the 804's Selenium meter. "Additionally the 814 omits the +/- exposure compensation wheel found on the 804. Period advertising suggests this was possible as the CdS cell only read from the central subject area of the frame, and so was less likely to be thrown off by contrasting background brightness." (Camera-Wiki.) The successor to the Instamatic 814 was the Kodak Instamatic X-90 which I have below. It updated the camera to accept the new X Magicubes which fired without a battery. The X-90 still had a 3 volt alkaline battery for the exposure system, however. (Camera-Wiki - Kodak Instamatic X-90.)

Camera-Wiki has a February 1969 Modern Photography magazine ad entitled: "A camera with an eye to match its brain." "The eye is a sophisticated 4-element Kodak Ektar lens. Computer-designed especially for the 126 film format, it's ultrasharp, color-corrected, Lumenized, 38mm, a fast f/2.8. Delivers exceptional sharpness and flatness of field right out to the corners of your pictures. The brain is an extra-sensitive CdS automatic exposure system. The new Kodak Instamatic 814 camera's brain thinks selectively. Reads only the pictorially important part of the scene." The price was less than $140. That is equal to about $1,180 in March 2023 dollars.

My camera may have been a donation in October 2009. It comes with a hard ever-ready case. The camera is in good cosmetic condition except it developed a white film over the black covering. Most of the white film came off with some Windex although I don't know if it will come back. The rangefinder could use a cleaning. The lens looks good. I got the lens to fire a couple of times after winding the camera. I think it would fire consistently if the camera had a film cartridge installed. The camera is heavy at about 1.7 pounds. It is a very nice camera and very sophisticated for a 126 cartridge camera. There were a lot of 35mm Japanese rangefinder cameras, however, around the same time as this camera that were probably a better value.

[Kodak X-90]
Kodak X-90, circa 1970, rangefinder, automatic exposure, adjustable shutter speeds, aperture automatically set, 38mm, f2.8 lens. Acquired June 2004 on E-Bay ($.50 plus $6 shipping). Excellent working condition except needs battery (PX-30) to test meter. Spring motor film advance. Kodak History states sold from 1970 to 1973 at a list price of $144.50, in today's dollars $617.38.
[Kodak X-90 Case]
Unique hard case for Kodak X-90 that fits directly over camera.
[Kodak Instamatic S-20]
Kodak Instamatic S-20 (Large Image, Lens Assembly Retracted, Back) (March 1967 - April 1971) Dates are from Camera-Wiki. It was released at the same time as the similar Kodak Instamatic S-10 which lacked the S-20's automatic exposure meter. Kodak Classics states the S-20 had a 35mm f9.5 Kodar lens, shutter speeds of 1/40 and 1/90 and an original list price of $58.50. That's over $500 in February 2023 dollars. The S-10 was less than half the price at $27.50. Both the S-10 and S-20 took two PX825 1.5 volt alkaline batteries. While the S-10 did not have an exposure meter, it still needed batteries to activate the regular flash cubes. By 1971 new Instamatic 126 cameras used the new Magicubes which did not require batteries in the camera. There is not much detailed information about the S-20 on the Internet. I could not find the owner's manual online, but I purchased one on eBay on March 23, 2023 for $1.50 plus $5.25 shipping plus tax. The manual's date code is 5-67. The very mod looking Kodak S-10 Manual at page 8 states: "The size of the lens opening is automatically controlled by the amount of light reflected to the electric eye by the subject." If the maximum lens opening is f9.5 the amount of adjustment must be limited. For example, the next full stop would be f11, then f16. I assume the usual shutter speed is 1/90 second and 1/40 second is used for the flash. Since you cannot focus the fixed lens, you should be at least 5 feet away from the subject for sharp photos. The camera's two PX825 batteries "provide power for setting setting the lens opening and lighting the insufficient-light signal for outdoor pictures, as well as supplying power for flash. (Manual at page 3.) The S-10 and S-20 are unique among Instamatic cameras in that the front lens assembly pops out for picture taking when you press the button on the bottom of the camera. Also, the large shutter release pops up. The film advance is the large knob on the side of the of the camera. It takes about one full turn to advance the film. The film must be advanced before the camera will fire. I can't get my camera to fire. Often you need film in 126 Instamatic cameras to get them to fire. You can sometimes get them to fire without film by pushing the film index level inside the camera. Cosmetically it is in good shape although it had a lot of white powder on it from deterioration of the covering. It came off reasonably well with rubbing alcohol. Mine has a long braided strap that looks like it may have been handmade. I think I acquired this camera at a local garage sale many years ago.
[Kodak Instamatic 414]
Kodak Instamatic 414 (Large Image) (1968-1971) Appears to be basically the same as the later Kodak X-45 except the Kodak Instamatic 414 takes regular flashcubes instead of X-Magicubes and uses two PX525 1.5 volt batteries instead of the single 3 volt PX30 battery in the Kodak X-45. The Instamatic 414 is also largely the same as the Kodak Instamatic 314 except the 314 does not have the spring-wound film advance. The basic specifications of the Kodak 414 are at Kodak Classics. It has a 41mm f8 Kodar lens with shutter speeds of 1/45 second for flash and 1/90 second without flash. Like the X-45 and the 314, the Kodak 414 has an "electric eye" exposure meter which controls the aperture. As you press down slowly on the shutter release you can see several different apertures pass by on a rotating disk. The iris of the exposure meter also opens up as you press down on the shutter release. Apparently, when sufficient light enters the exposure meter, the aperture at that time is selected. The apertures are not specified in the manual. Like the Instamatic 314 and X-45, the Instamatic 414 has a two zone focus switch - the standard for over six feet, and a close-up setting for 2 to 6 feet. Kodak Classics states the original list price was $48 which equals about $415 in April 2023 dollars. The camera was made in the U.S.A. The manual is at browniecam.com. I don't recall where I got my Instamatic 414. It is in fair cosmetic condition. It's dirty and the black covering has some white residue from age. The twist opening for the battery compartment is gone, but you can still open the battery compartment. Unfortunately, the spring winding mechanism does not work and hence the shutter will also not fire. Little Kodaks has an excellent 19 minute YouTube video on operation and refurbishment of the Kodak Instamatic 414.
[Kodak Hawkeye II]
Kodak Hawkeye II (Large Image, Back) (1969-1975(?)) Pinterest has interesting information on the Hawkeye II. The Kodak Hawkeye II is a restyle Kodak Instamatic 44. The Instamatic 44 (1969-73) was the least expensive Kodak Instamatic camera with an original list price of $9.95. (Adjusted for inflation, that's about $80 in January 2023 dollars.) If that's too expensive, then get a Kodak Hawkeye II which was only given away in promotions especially a promotion with Scott Paper in the early 1970s. Giving it away made sense since the real money is in selling the film! The Hawkeye II came in two cosmetic color variations. (See, e.g., YouTube - Little Kodaks.) According to Kodak Instamatic 44 - Camera-Wiki: "The camera had a fixed f/11 43mm plastic meniscus lens, and a single 1/50 sec. shutter speed. A manual knob instead of the usual lever was used for film advance. It could fire flash cubes using two PX825 batteries." (See also Kodak Classics.) Kodak Classics states it was made from 1969-1975 while Pinterest states the dates as 1969-1973. My camera is made in the United States. It is in good cosmetic condition. It fires. Mine still has film in it! The "Hawkeye" name was used by Kodak before. For example, in the museum's medium format section there is Kodak No. 2 Film Pack "Hawk-eye" camera (1922-1925) and a Brownie Hawkeye Flash camera (1950-1961). The Hawkeye II is essentially a continuation of these fixed focus, single shutter speed and aperture, box cameras now in a smaller format. That's not much of a technological advance in fifty years.
[Kodak Instamatic X-15]
Kodak Instamatic X-15 (1970-1976) (Large Image) 126 film viewfinder camera with fixed focus 43mm, single f11 aperture meniscus lens. It has a 1/45 second shutter speed with Magicube affixed and a 1/90 second shutter speed without Magicube affixed. There is no exposure meter and no battery. According to the Kodak Collector's page the original list price was $21 or about $160 in March 2023 dollars. The manual instructions are similar to other fixed focus fixed aperture Instamatic cameras. For outdoor pictures: "Have the sun behind you. The subject must be in bright or hazy sunlight." "Keep at least 4 feet from your subject for sharp pictures." In "cloudy-bright" situations you can insert a used Magicube to force the shutter speed to 1/45 second. That is the only adjustment possible with the camera. "When you make flash pictures, the camera-to-subject distance must be between 4 and 9 feet . . .." The camera is a small box camera with no adjustments. In my opinion you would have been better off at the time with a used Kodak Pony IV and taking an hour to read through an introductory photography book. The Instamatic X-15 is very similar to the Kodak Hawkeye Instamatic X below which has additional information. The X-15 was succeeded by the Kodak Instamatic X-15F (1976-1988) which was also very similar except it took Flip-Flash instead of Magicubes and the styling was different. Down the Road has a nice article on the X-15 and cameras based on the same body including the Hawkeye X, X-15F, X-25, X-30, X-35 and X-45. I likely got my camera at a garage or estate sale. It is in good working condition although 126 film is no longer available.
[Kodak Instamatic X-45]
Kodak Instamatic X-45 (1970-1974) (Large Image) Basic information at Kodak Classics. This Instamatic 126 film cartridge camera has a Kodar 41mm f8 lens with two shutter speeds - 1/45 second with a flashcube and 1/90 second without a flashcube. It takes one 3 volt PX30 (EXP30) battery. These are no longer made, however, PX-30 Battery Alternative shows how to use a CR2032 battery with four nickels as a replacement. You still need to find 126 film or find an old 126 film cartridge and load it with 35mm film. The X-45 is very similar to the Instamatic X-35 except the X-45 adds a spring winding mechanism. You wind it turning the mechanism counter-clockwise. It will then advance the film after the shutter release is pressed. The manual is at butkus.org. Page 8 of the manual about "Outdoor Pictures" states: "The size of the lens opening is automatically controlled by the amount of the light reflected to the electric eye by the subject." The camera does not appear to have an iris diaphragm for the aperture. Rather, it appears to have a disk with different apertures. As you slowly press down the shutter release you can see different apertures rotate pass as you look into the lens. At the same time an iris opens on the electric eye (exposure meter) opening to the side of the lens. The different apertures are not specified in the manual. The camera has a two position focus set by a lever above the lens assembly. The normal mode is "beyond 6 feet." You can slide it to "2 to 6" feet for close-up pictures. After the picture is taken, the lever automatically goes back to "beyond 6 feet." If you want to take other close-up, you have to reset it to 2 to 6 feet. For flash photos the camera uses "only the new self-powered Magicube, Type X." Kodak Classics states the original list price was $58. $58 in 1970 has the same buying power as approximately $450 in April 2023 dollars. I don't recall where I got my camera. It was many years ago. It is in good cosmetic condition although there is a piece of plastic broken off on the bottom near the battery compartment. The camera winder and shutter release both work fine. I have not tried the camera with a battery. There was an old battery in the camera which leaked slightly. Down the Road has a nice article on the X-15 and cameras based on the same body including the Hawkeye X, X-15F, X-25, X-30, X-35 and X-45.
[Kodak Hawkeye Instamatic X]
Kodak Hawkeye Instamatic X (Large Image) (1971-1978) Kodak Classics states: "Extremely similar to the Instamatic X-15, but lacking that camera's bright-line viewfinder, the body is actually very dark green plastic and fitted with a tripod socket." Kodak Classics - 126 Cameras has excellent general information about the development of Kodak Instamatic cameras. Inside the camera states: "Made in Rochester N.Y. U.S.A. by Eastman Kodak Company." It takes "Magicubes" or X-Flashcubes that fire without the need for a battery in the camera. Magicubes were introduced in 1970. Magicubes worked by lighting zirconium foil on fire. The zirconium foil was ignited by a friction triggered explosive called fulminate. (Photography with Tiny Explosives.) Since no battery was required even cheaper cameras could be produced. The camera appears to have a single element meniscus lens with a single aperture. The focal length and aperture are not specified. The 1976-77 Sears Camera Catalog, however, has a similar Kodak Instamatic X-15f with a 43mm f11 lens. (The X-15f used a flip-flash instead of a magicube.) The camera has two shutter speeds. If a Magicube is inserted, the shutter speed is 1/45 second. Without a Magicube, the shutter speed is 1/90 second. The manual is available at manualzz.com. You must be at least 4 feet from your subject. Without a flash cube, the subject must be in bright or hazy sunlight. For cloudy-bright light conditions the manual suggests putting in a used Magicube to force the lower 1/45 second shutter speed. The subject in flash photos must be between 4 and 9 feet from the camera. I could not find the original new sales price, although a December 1972 ad for the similar Kodak Instamatic X-15 color outfit with film and a magicube states the price was less than $23 or about $160 in January 2023 dollars which is quite expensive for what you get! The price had been reduced to less than $13 in a 1979 ad for the similar Kodak X-15F. That's only about $53 in January 2023 dollars. While I am not a fan of these lower end 126 cameras, the negative area was over 3.5 times greater than the 110 Instamatic cameras which were introduced in 1972. Other factors being equal, 126 cameras were hence capable of greater resolution that 110 cameras which means I'm even less of a fan of cheap 110 cameras. Don't even get me started on Disc cameras! I assume I got my camera at a garage or estate sale for $1 or so. It is in good working condition.
[Kodak Instamatic X-35F]
Kodak Instamatic X-35F (1976-1981) (Large Image, Back) Dates from Kodak Classics which indicates that this 126 film cartridge camera has a 41mm f8 Kodar lens with shutter speeds of 1/90 second without flash and 1/45 second with flash. The camera has two focus settings set by a switch above the lens assembly - one setting for beyond 6 feet and a close-up setting for 2 to 6 feet. After you take a photo at the close-up setting, it resets to the beyond six feet setting. To take another close-up photo you have to set it again to the 2 to 6 feet close-up setting. My camera says it is made in the U.S.A. Some were also made in Canada. The camera is essentially the same as the X-35 except for cosmetic differences and the X-35F takes flip-flashes and not X-magicubes. I have a X-35 manual that I got on eBay. As you press down the shutter release you see a flat disk with about nine apertures. That seems like a lot if the maximum aperture is f8. As you press down the shutter release you can also see the CdS light meter window open. The camera has a two stroke film advance. The camera takes a three volt PX-30 alkaline battery "to power the daylight exposure control and warning light." (Manual at page 5.) While it is fortunate that it does not use a mercury battery, the PX-30 battery size is no longer available. PX-30 Battery Alternative shows how to substitute a CR 2032 battery with four nickels to fill in the space. Kodak Classics lists the original list price as $48 which is over $250 in March 2023 dollars. Film is More Fun has an 8 minute overview YouTube video. Little Kodaks also has a video on the X-35. My camera is in excellent cosmetic condition. The shutter fires. I have not tested it further. It still has film in it. I don't recall where I got it.
[Kodak Instamatic X-15F ]
Kodak Instamatic X-15F (1976-1988) (Large Image) 126 film viewfinder camera with fixed focus 43mm, single f11 aperture meniscus lens. It is essentially the same as the Kodak Instamatic X-15 above except it uses flip-flash instead of Magicubes and has different styling. It has 1/45 second shutter speed for flash and a 1/90 second shutter speed without flash. There is no exposure meter and no battery. Camera-Wiki indicates the original price was $19.50. That's a little over $100 in March 2023 dollars. Down the Road has a nice article on the X-15 and cameras based on the same body including the Hawkeye X, X-15F, X-25, X-30, X-35 and X-45. I likely got my camera at a garage or estate sale. It is in good working condition although 126 film is no longer available.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Konica

[Konica 261 Auto S]
Konica 261 Auto S According to Instamatic Central produced only from May 1967 to January 1968. Coupled rangefinder. Cost $69.95 equal to $458 in 2008 dollars. 42mm f2.8 Hexanon 4 element lens. Seiko shutter 1/60 to 1/250 second. Also according to Instamatic Central, 7,416+ were made which I believe is quite a small production. Mine was purchased on eBay on 7-19-08 for $4.99 with $8 shipping. It comes with the case. The manual is available at butkus.org. It is in good cosmetic condition. It does not work properly. The shutter has occasionally fired, although at present it is locked closed. It has also been locked open. The focus towards infinity was very stiff but loosened up. The lens looks clean, but when the shutter was open it looked like the rear element had a significant chip. The rangefinder works, but there is considerable internal dust in the viewfinder.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Mamiya Cameras

[Argus 260 Instant Load]
Argus 260 (1964) Made in Japan. The Argus 260 was made by Mamiya according to Wikipedia - Argus 260 citing page 129, Gambino, Henry J. Argomania: A Look At Argus Cameras and the Company That Made Them. Doylestown, PA: Aeone Communications 2005. Ron Herron in his comprehensive Mamiya site also states the Argus 260 Automatic was made by Mamiya. He states: "All indications are it was built only for export." A May 1965 Popular Photography Test Report at Argus Museum Flikr Account states the Argus 260 Automatic "is the first non-Kodak camera to accommodate instant loading Kodapak film cartridges." That seems to be supported by a 1965 Argus Magazine ad selling on eBay with the caption "Discover the other instant-loading camera. Ours." The Popular Photography article lists the specifications for the 260. The lens is an Argus Coated Cintar 40mm f5.6 with a focusing range of three feet to infinity. Focusing is by a distance scale in feet with focusing symbols for "portrait," "group," and "landscape." There is also a "universal focus" mark where everything from about 6 feet to infinity will be in focus. It has adjustable apertures from f5.6 to f22 controlled by Selenium exposure meter. The shutter speed is 1/125 second without a flashcube and 1/30 second with a flashcube. The 1965 ad for the Argus 260 lists the price as "under $60" or about $580 in April 2023 dollars. The manual for the Argus Instant Load 264 is at butkus.org. The camera takes two N size batteries for the flash. The Selenium meter does not need batteries. It has a tripod mount. There was also a very similar Argus Instant Load 257 which Argus Museum describes as a "slightly simpler, less expensive version of the Argus 260. This camera offered the same fully automatic exposure system, also featuring zone focusing, but did not have a bright-line viewfinder or zone focus symbols visible in the viewfinder. It sold for $45 with film and batteries." My Argus 260 is in good cosmetic condition. The shutter works. The battery compartment has significant corrosion. It takes two "N batteries." I purchased it on eBay for $4.99 with $6.01 shipping on April 11, 2005.
[Argus 264 Instant Load]
Argus 264 Instant Load (Large Image) (Circa 1966) This appears to be largely the same as its predecessor, the Argus 260 Automatic first manufactured in 1964, except the 260 took AG-1 flashbulbs in a pop-up reflector on top of the camera and the 264 took flashcubes. My camera on the bottom says it is made in Japan. Both the 260 and 264 are attributed to Mamiya in Wikipedia - Argus 260 and Wikipedia - Argus 264 citing Page 129, Gambino, Henry J. Argomania: A Look At Argus Cameras and the Company That Made Them. Doylestown, PA: Aeone Communications 2005. Ron Herron in his comprehensive Mamiya site also states the Argus 260 Automatic was made by Mamiya. he states: "All indications are it was built only for export." A May 1965 Popular Photography Test Report at Argus Museum Flikr Account states the Argus 260 Automatic "is the first non-Kodak camera to accommodate instant loading Kodapak film cartridges." That seems to be supported by a 1965 Argus Magazine ad selling on eBay with the caption "Discover the other instant-loading camera. Ours." The Popular Photography article lists the specifications for the 260 which I believe are largely the same for the 264. The lens is an Argus Coated Cintar 40mm f5.6 with a focusing range of three feet to infinity. Focusing is by a distance scale in feet with focusing symbols for "portrait," "group," and "landscape." There is also a "universal focus" mark where everything from about 6 feet to infinity will be in focus. It has adjustable apertures from f5.6 to f22 controlled by Selenium exposure meter. The shutter speed is 1/125 second without a flashcube and 1/30 second with a flashcube. The 1965 ad for the Argus 260 lists the price as "under $60" while a 1966 ad for the Argus 264 lists the price as "under $50." $50 in 1966 equals about $430 in April 2023 dollars. The manual for the Argus Instant Load 264 is at butkus.org. The camera takes two N size batteries for the flash. The Selenium meter does not need batteries. I purchased my camera on eBay on October 28, 2006 for $6.99 plus $6 shipping plus sales tax. It is in good cosmetic condition. The shutter fires. The Selenium meter does not appear to work.
[Keystone K 1020 SLR]
Keystone K 1020 SLR (1966) According to Ron Herron's Collecting Mamiya 35mm, this cool looking camera was made by Mamiya. According to that site, the camera, introduced in 1966, was the world's first "Instamatic" single lens reflex. Specs: 48mm f2.8 lens, selinium meter (no batteries for meter), fully automatic exposure, aperature range f2.8 to f11 shown with a needle in viewfinder, shutter speeds unknown, two batteries for the non-X type flash cube. In excellent working condition. Leedar 1967 Catalog states price under $100. Includes nice leather case.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Minolta Autopak Cameras

[Minolta Autopak 400-X]
Minolta Autopak 400-X, while the first number in the 126 Autopak series, the 400-X was actually the last in the series being produced in 1973. Excellent information at the Manual Minolta site indicates the fixed focus lens had a focal length of 34mm and aperture of f8 to 27. The maximum aperture is significantly less than the f2.8 of the older Autopak 126 cameras below. Exposure is controlled with a selenium meter. This combined with the X series flash cubes means that the camera does not require any battery. The shutter speed is 1/90 second and 1/45 second for flash like the other Minolta 126 cameras. The button in front is to lock the shutter release to prevent accidental release. Made in Japan. Serial no. 167691. This camera was purchased on eBay on November 29, 2005 for $2.99 with $6.75 shipping. I was the sole bidder. The camera is new or nearly new in the original box with the wrist strap still in its original package, an unopened pack of film (Jan 1974 Develop Before date) and an unused flash cube. No manual was included, however. It is in great cosmetic and operating condition.
[Minolta Autopak 550]
Minolta Autopak 550 (Large Image) (1969) A 126 film cartridge camera with zone focusing. The manual is available at butkus.org. The zone focusing was accomplished by a knob on the side of the camera operated with your left hand with symbols for one person, two people and a mountain. These symbols also show in the viewfinder. Close focus was 3.3 feet. The camera has a 38mm f2.8 lens with four glass elements in three groups. There were two shutter speeds, 1/90 for outdoor photos and 1/45 for flash photography. It takes regular flashcubes. The flash would fire automatically when needed. You could also force the flash to fire by pressing the button on the side of the lens assembly. There is a two stroke winding mechanism. The camera has a CdS meter with the sensor just above the lens. The specifications at page 5 of the manual say the meter is coupled with the aperture, although it does not say what the apertures are other than the maximum aperture is f2.8.

The camera takes two PX825 batteries and one RM625 Mercury battery. I assume the PX825 batteries are to fire the flash. The PX825 batteries are not made any longer. They were used in many Kodak Instamatic cameras also. Little Kodaks has a YouTube video showing how to substitute one CR2032 batteries for the two PX825 batteries. Since a CR2032 battery is much thinner than two PX825 batteries, the video fills the gap with 4 nickels. I haven't tried it but some similar arrangement might be possible with the Minolta Autopak 550. The RM625 battery powers the exposure meter. These mercury batteries are no longer made for environmental reasons. There are replacement 1.35-Volt Zinc air coin cell battery replacements although they have a limited life once opened. The mercury batteries were common in the 1960s and 1970s and other solutions are possible.

The next problem is that 126 film is no longer made. Some people load 35mm film into 126 cartridges to get around this. Needless to say, using the Minolta Autopack 550 as I write this in May 2023 was not as easy as it was in 1969! You can get out your smartphone, however, and snap all the photos you want as well as make videos, make phone calls, search the Internet, email, text, etc. All of that would have been hard to imagine back in 1969. (See 1969 IBM 2770 Data Communications System Bisync 360 to see what communications systems were like in 1969. In October 1969 the ARPAnet, the forerunner of the Internet, was switched on. computerhistory.org.)

A 1967 Sunset magazine ad and a 1968 newspaper ad both for the similar Autopak 500 state the price is under $50. That's over $440 in March 2023 dollars. I purchased my Minolta Autopak 550 on November 1, 2009 for $0.99 plus $5.50 shipping for a total of $6.49. It is in good condition although the switch to open and close the battery compartment is missing. The battery compartment still lifts open and closes, however. The camera fires. To get it to fire without film you have to slide the sensing pin in the film compartment to the right after turning the film advance. (The sensing pin falls into the single registration hole on each frame of the film when film is in the camera.) I obviously can't fully test the camera due to the lack of batteries and film. The camera is similar to my Minolta Autopak 600-X camera except the 600-X uses Magicubes which do not need a battery. The 600-X hence just has a single mercury battery for the meter.

[Minolta Autopak 500]
Minolta Autopak 500, zone focusing, automatic exposure, 38mm f2.8 lens. I purchased my Autopak 500 on eBay on June 30, 2004 for $7 plus $3.85 shipping. It came with the box and instructions. A 1967 Sunset magazine ad and a 1968 newspaper ad on sale on eBay both for the Autopak 500 state the price is under $50. That's over $440 in March 2023 dollars.
[Minolta Autopak 600-X]
Minolta Autopak 600-X, zone focusing, automatic exposure, 38mm f2.8 lens, magicube flash which will automatically fire when needed. This was my first camera. My dad and I forgot the Kodak 104 while on a trip to Arizona during Easter vacation. We bought this camera in Flagstaff, Arizona before going to Grand Canyon. I was 14. In addition to the original, I bought a second 600X with a case on eBay. Both work although they need batteries. Both have instruction booklets. The photo is from the instruction booklet.
[Minolta Autopak 700]
Minolta Autopak 700, rangefinder, automatic and manual exposure, adjustable aperture and shutter speeds, 38mm, f2.8 lens, very similar in quality to Minolta 35mm rangefinder cameras. Acquired June 2004, excellent working condition except needs battery to test meter. Leedar Photo Supply Co., Photographic Catalog 1967 ("Leedar 1967"), lists price as $69.95.
[Minolta Autopak 800]
Minolta Autopak 800, 38mm f2.8 lens, automatic exposure with CdS meter, self-setting shutter speeds of 1/90 or 1/45, variable aperture (settings not specified) automatically set (apparently coupled with distance setting), rangefinder focusing, automatic spring drive film advance, 124.5mm (w) X 78.3mm (h) X 58.5mm (d), 520g. I have two. One is in excellent working condition with batteries for flash and meter (two 1.5 volt button-type 825 batteries and one 1.35 volt RM625R mercury battery). The batteries leaked on the other likely damaging the electrical system. Specifications and photo from instruction booklet.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Olympus Quickmatic Cameras

[Olympus Quickmatic-EEM]
Olympus Quickmatic-EEM, focus by estimating distance, programmed automatic exposure with selinium meter surrounding lens, shutter speeds 1/40 and 1/200, aperture range not specified, 36mm, f2.8 D.Zuiko lens. Camera well made and in excellent working conditon. Similar Quickmatic-EES price new in Leedar 1967 Catalog was $59.95 including flash and case. See Olympus History for a comprehensive description of Olympus cameras.
[Olympus Quickmatic Instruction Pamplet] [Olympus Quickmatic Case]
Quickmatic Instructions and Case
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Ricoh Cameras

[Ricoh 126C-Flex]
Large image with lens removed.
Ricoh 126C-Flex. (1969) Rikenon 55mm, f2.8 lens, near focus 3 feet, 126 single lens reflex, leaf shutter. Instamatic Central indicates the lens had 4 elements and the camera's list price in 1969 was $119.95. That's the equivalent to $645 in 2005 dollars! Takes special screw mount (not Pentax M51) 35mm and 100mm lenses. Shutter speeds on ring below base of lens with speeds of 1/300, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, B and an automatic setting. Aperature from f2.8 to f22 and "A" on dial in front of camera just below the TLS. Hot shoe, flash cube socket and flash socket. Light meter needle on top right of camera. CdS through the lens exposure meter which automatically sets aperture (i.e. shutter preferred) or aperture can be set manually. Meter works on a 1.3 volt RM675 mercury battery or equivalent. I tried a 1.5 volt LR44 battery and the meter was active and at least roughly accurate. The camera also takes a single 15 volt (yes, 15 volt, not 1.5 volt) battery which fits on left size of film compartment just above the RM675 button battery. Instamatic Central states this is a 504 or PX74 battery. In the manual it looks like a "W10" battery. This battery is shorter than an AAA or AA and longer than an N battery. This battery is for the flash cube. Battery compartment is clean. Made in Japan. Serial no. 31950. Lens serial no. 24478. Similar camera also sold as the Sears 126C-Flex. Tripod socket. Cable shutter release socket. Comes with leather or leather like case in good condition. Camera and lens in excellent cosmetic and working condition. Short, stiff film advance. Manual on line at www.butkus.org. Purchased on eBay on 12-24-05 for $12.54 plus $9.50 shipping.
[Sears 126 TLS Reflex]
Large image.
Sears 126 TLS Reflex. The Sears version of the Ricoh 126C-Flex above. Appears to be largely identical except for the labels and the Sears does not have a flash cube socket. In good cosmetic and working condition although I have not checked the meter. Purchased on eBay on 7-15-07 for $2.99 plus $7.99 shipping.
[Sears Easi-Load 600]
Sears Easi-Load 600 (circa 1965) (Large Image, Back.) A Ricoh Ricohmatic 126 sold under the Sears brand. (See Ricohmatic 126 - Camera-Wiki, Ricohmatic 126 - flicker - Bracket.) While some sources give a date of 1969, the Ricohmatic was released at least as early as 1965 since eBay shows a 1965 magazine ad. That ad lists the price as "less than $80." That's about $750 in December 2022 dollars! The camera takes AG-1 flash bulbs that were introduced in 1958 and not flash cubes which were introduced in 1965. (See, e.g., Flash Photography - Wikipedia, Click Americana (article and several flash cube ads).) Many later similar Ricoh models took flash cubes such as the Ricoh 126C Automatic and equivalent Sears Easi-Load 600 FC produced from approximately 1966 to 1969 according to Ricoh 126C Automatic - Camera-Wiki. The manual for the Richomatic 126 is at butkus.org. Specifications in the manual include: "Lens: Rikenon 35mm f2.8 lens 3 sections, 4 elements. Shutter: Copal Shutter, 1/125 sec. for automatic and 1/30 sec. for manual settings. Flash: Built-in BC Type Flash Unit. Aperture: Fully automatic setting coupled to exposure from f2.8 to f22. Exposure meter Built-in Selenium Electric Eye coupled to aperture. Finder: Parallax Corrected Bright Frame Viewfinder. Aperture values, exposure warning mark and symbols for zone setting can be seen in the Viewfinder. Focusing: Zone focusing. Film winding: Automatic Spring-Wound Power System. Size & Weight: 88.2x121.4x65.5[mm] 500g." ASA (ISO) is set automatically with the film cartridge. The shutter speed is 1/125 seconds unless the flash cover is up. If flash cover is up, shutter speed is 1/30. The aperture selected by the meter is displayed in the viewfinder. Zone focusing is with icons for one person, group (three persons), and scene (mountain). The actual distance scale is at the bottom of the lens assembly. The flash operates on a 15 volt battery inserted in the battery compartment on the back of the camera. I don't recall where I got my camera. It is in good cosmetic condition although the filter ring is bent indicating it may have been dropped at some point. The camera spring winding works fine and the shutter fires when wound. (The shutter does not fire when the automatic film advance is wound down.) Not surprisingly, the Selenium meter no longer works. Since there is no manual aperture control, this makes the camera unable to practically take photos. It looks like the default aperture setting when the meter is not working is f22. Therefore, the camera would only take photos at 1/125 - f22, or if the flash cover is up, 1/30 - f22. Not a problem, however, since 126 film is no longer available anyway! (It is possible to load 35mm film in a 126 cartridge, however. Lomography.)
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Rollei Cameras

[Rollei A26]
Rollei A26 (1972-1976) (Large, Closed, Back, With C26 Flash) Excellent information at Camerapedia and Classic Cameras. The A26 is an ingenious design by Heinz Waaske. The camera retracts to a size not much larger than a 126 cartridge. The retracted size is about 9.4cm wide, 6.3cm tall, and 3.5cm thick. When retracted the lens is folded in and protected. To shoot you pull the camera open and the lens pops open. The shutter is the red button in front. To advance the film and re-cock the shutter you close the camera. When you open it again you are ready to shoot. An April 1974 magazine advertisement described the process as follows: "Pull ... Shoot ... Push! Simply Drop in 126 Cartridge Film and Pull ... Shoot ... Push! Add the Automatic Computer Flash and Pull ... Shoot ... Push! It's fantastic!"

The lens is a 40mm f3.5 Rollei Sonnar. You have to focus by estimating the distance. To make this easy there is a distance scale on top of the lens with icons for one person, two people and a mountain. An actual distance scale is on the underside of the lens. The one person icon is between 1.2 and 1.5 meters, the two people icon is about 3 meters, and the mountain icon is at infinity. The actual range is from 1 meter to infinity. Exposure is automatic from a CdS cell. The exposure range is from 1/30 second f3.5 to 1/250 second f22 according to specifications in the owners manual at www.cameramanuals.org. There is no way to manually adjust the exposure. The camera required a 625 mercury battery. The C26 electronic flash attached to the side. It was over 7cm wide. It has rechargeable batteries which cannot be removed.

Coincidently, when the camera was introduced in 1972, Kodak introduced 110 format cameras. 110 cameras took over much of the 126 camera market although much better quality pictures could be expected from the over 350% larger 126 format. (28mm x 28mm = 784 sq.mm vs. 17mm x 13mm = 221 sq. mm. 784/221 = 3.55) This camera model demonstrates that a 126 camera could be made very small. Heinz Waaske's retractable design was used for Rollei's own A110 110 format camera.

I purchased this camera and flash on eBay on October 22, 2006 for $10.50. I'm don't know what the shipping was. I'm writing this in December 2022. For some reason it took me 16 years to put this unique camera online! My camera is in very good condition. The shutter fires. The lens looks very clean. My camera had a mercury battery in it which, of course, was discharged. There was a little corrosion around the battery area. I have not tried any other battery. The battery apparently only controls the light meter since the shutter fires without a battery. The flash is, of course, dead. I assume it has NiCd batteries. You can't get to the batteries without dismantling the flash. Additionally, I do not have the AC charger for the flash.

Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Yashica EZ-Matic Cameras

[Yashica EZ-matic]
Yashica EZ-matic, focus by estimating distance, aperture preferred exposure, selinium meter (no battery), 37mm, f2.7 lens. Fair conditon. Shutter is slow to close. New price in Leedar 1967 catalog was "under $55," case $10.
[Yashica EZ-matic Electronic]
Yashica EZ-matic Electronic, focus by estimating distance, programmed automatic exposure with CdS meter, shutter speeds from 2 seconds to 1/300 second, aperture range from f2.8 to approximately f16, ISO automatically set from 50 to 160, 37mm f2.8 lens. Comes with box and instruction booklet. Excellent cosmetic condition. Needs battery (6 volt silver oxide, Eveready No. 544). Shutter condition unknown without battery. Code in instruction booklet may indicate manufactured in 1968. Acquired June 2004 on E-bay.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

Zeiss Ikon Cameras

[Zeiss Ikon Ikomatic A]
Zeiss Ikon Ikomatic A. according to the Ken Lyndrups site the Ikomatic A was made in 1964-1965 in Germany by Bilora (K�rbi & Niggeloh, Radevormwald) and hence not directly by Zeiss Ikon. PhotoFex has a photo of a similar one with the Bilora label on it. There appears to have been three models: A with a hot shoe for electronic flash, F with a socket for an AG-1 bulb and a CF like the Bilora label camera above with a flash cube socket. It appears to have a selenium meter (no battery). (I'm not sure if mine is working.) To focus you turn a ring on the lens between a portrait figure and a mountain (infinity). Another ring around the lens appears to control the shutter - A for automatic daylight with a speed of 1/90 second and flash with a speed of 1/30 second. According to Instamatic Central the Ikomatic F has an f11 40mm lens with an original list price of $24.95. According to www.kameraschaetze.de (in German) the A model had an f6.3 45mm lens. That site and another German site, www.optiksammlung.de, have the dates of manufacture as 1965-1967. Mine was purchased on eBay on 1-5-06 for $7.25 plus $5.36 shipping. It is in good cosmetic shape and the shutter works. All in all a much less sophisticated camera than the Contraflex 126 to the right.
[Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 126]
Zeiss Ikon Contaflex 126 (1967-1971) the only 126 SLR with a focal plane shutter. It does not have automatic mirror return. You push a slide on the back to advance the film and return the mirror. Carl Zeiss Tessar 45mm, f2.8 lens. Bayonet mount for filters. CdS meter using a PX 13 battery. Aperture priority automatic exposure. Set shutter speed from 1/30 to 1/500 second - aperture automatically set. Shutter speed dial surrounds shutter release and has cloud with rain for 1/30, a cloud for 1/60, cloud and sun for 1/125, sun for 1/250 and a race car for 1/500. Apertures visible in viewfinder. According to Instamatic Central with the Tessar 45mm, 4 element, lens the list price was $174.95, an astonishing $1,035 in 2005 dollars measured from 1967. Interchangeable lenses with a unique bayonet lens mount specific to this camera. Instamatic Central states that the lever on the right couples the aperture with the focus distance for flash photography. Made in West Germany. Serial no. N 86969. Lens serial no. 26532. As discussed at photo.net, it automatically detects the ASA (ISO) rating of the film which to my surprise several 126 cameras could do. My Contaflex 126 was purchased on eBay on 1-4-06 for $15 (Buy it Now) with $7.50 shipping. It is in excellent cosmetic condition and good working condition from what I can tell. The eBay description said the shutter was sticking. It was not closing at 1/30 second for me but after going through the speeds a few times it no longer hangs up. I do not have a PX 13 battery to test the meter. Since the apertures are set based on the meter readings I also can't check the aperture. (You cannot manually set the aperture.) Some minor corrosion on one side of the battery compartment. Additional information at Something Zeiss to Say and Camerapedia.
Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology

History and Technology

126 cameras use 126-size film cartridges. While no longer manufactured by Kodak, the film is still available today at the Frugal Photographer which also contains excellent information about 126 film. A 126 film cartridge has film about the width of 35mm film pre-loaded into a plastic cartridge. The film has holes only on the top for film transport, unlike 35mm film which has holes on the top and bottom. A 126 frame therefore is slightly wider than 35mm film (about 28mm compared to 24mm). 126 film uses a square format, however, and hence a frame is not as long as a 35mm frame (about 28mm compared to 36mm). The total frame area is about the same with 126 film having an area of 784 sq mm and 35mm film having an area of 864 sq mm. Unlike later 110 and disc formats, quality enlargements of at least 8" x 10" can be made with both 126 and 35mm film.

126 film was introduced by Kodak in the early 1960s for ease in loading. All you had to do is drop in a plastic cartridge, wind until it stopped at the first frame, and shoot. With 35mm film at the time, you had to thread the film across the film support tracks and into the take up spool, carefully close the back of the camera, wind ahead two or three frames, and make sure the rewind knob was moving. While not extremely difficult, all of that can be tricky at first and slower. The quick loading 126 film appealed to many consumers, and 126 film was relatively popular well into the 1970s. Most camera manufacturers made 126 cameras. See Instamatic Central for an extensive collection. Two exceptions are, I believe, Nikon and Leica. Canon had a few - the Canon C30 (1966), M70 (1970) and Bell & Howell 340 (1966), 341 (1969) and 342 (1969). Canon had a quick loading mechanism for their 35mm cameras perhaps explaining why they were not more involved with 126 camers. The widespread development of quick loading and autofocus 35mm cameras in the 1980s, as well as competing cartridge formats such as 110 in the 1970s, likely contributed to the demise of 126 cameras.

Different manufacturers had their own names for 126 cameras. While sometimes used generically, "Instamatic" was the registered trade mark of Eastman Kodak Company. Minolta used "Autopak," Olympus used "Quickmatic," and Yashica used "EZ-matic."

126 cameras have a reputation for being inexpensive point and shoot cameras, and indeed the majority of the dozens of models were usually fixed focus, non-adjustable exposure cameras, with inexpensive lenses. They also did not have a pressure plate holding the flim plane flat. As can be seen in the 126 wing of the Camera Museum, however, there were several quality 126 camera model with features such as adjustable focusing including some with rangefinder or single lens reflex focusing, manually or automatically adjustable apertures and shutter speeds, exposure meters, shutter speeds or apertures shown in the viewfinder, and automatic film advancing. The Kodak Instamatic Reflex even had interchangeable lenses. Therefore while 126 cameras never reached professional quality, several were quality, precision instruments capable of excellent results.

Introduction (Top) | Ansco | Argus | Canon | Kodak | Konica | Mamiya | Minolta | Olympus | Ricoh | Rollei | Yashica | Zeiss Ikon | History and Technology
CamHome | 35SLR | 35SLRAuto | 35Other | Med-Lg | 126 | Submin | Movie | Digital | Projectors | Scopes