Instamatic

The Kodak Instamatic series of inexpensive, easy to load cameras was introduced in 1963, and featured an easy load film cartridge and initially, a pop-up flash holder.

Related Topics:
Kodak - 1963 - Film cartridge

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The first model released in the US was the basic Instamatic 100 model. With fixed shutter speed, aperture and focus, it continued the tradition of Kodak, initiated by their N° 1 and later Brownie models, of providing simple to use snapshot cameras for everybody.

Related Topics:
Brownie - Snapshot

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The even more basic Instamatic 50, without built-in flash, had been released in the UK a couple of weeks earlier. A few of other models soon followed, including the 400 which featured a clockwork automatic film advance and automatic exposure based on a selenium light meter, and the aluminum chassis 800 with rangefiner based focus in addition to clockwork winding and light meter.

Related Topics:
Selenium - Light meter

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The Instamatic was an instant success; more than 50 million Instamatic cameras were produced between 1963 and 1970.

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In 1965 came the four exposure flash cubes, the cameras so equipped identifiable by 4 being added to the model number (the 100 became the 104 etc.). The Magicube came in 1970, each bulb featuring a mechanically triggered pyrotechnic detonator, thus avoiding the requirement for batteries. Models equipped for these cubes have a X suffix.

Related Topics:
1965 - Flash cube - 1970

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Then, in 1972, came the miniature Pocket Instamatic using a smaller, but similar 110 film cartridge. More than 25 million cameras were produced in under three years.

Related Topics:
1972 - 110 film

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Instamatic is also the name of a DJ/mash-up producer based in London, UK.

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