KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera

 

In this post I will be talking about another 110 film camera, the Kodak Pocket Instamatic 10, which was part of Kodak’s redesign of the instamatic cameras to become smaller and pocket sized in the 1970s, with the introduction of the 110 camera film (Kodak 2024).

I cover the main origins of the Kodak company in the Kodak 200 Color Plus Film post, but in this post I will just expand on Kodak’s camera history.

The first camera was a hand-roll camera called the Kodak, from the Kodak company (still going by the company name the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company) in 1888 and prompted the founder to change the name in1892 to Eastman Kodak Company. (George Eastman Museum 2022)

Kodak camera. Image Source: https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?id=NMAH-2006-7472&max_w=1200

This camera was the defining moment in Kodak’s history. It had a pre-installed 100 exposure roll film and an extremely user friendly system “offering an uncomplicated and affordable way to capture moments.” (about photography 2023)

This also made Kodak a household name and synonymous with photography (about photography 2023) and even lead to the word Kodak to be incorporated into the American slang, such as “kodaking, kodakers, kodakery” referring to anything to do with the use of a Kodak product, which also lead to clubs forming around the brand (Fineman 2004).   

Then by 1900’s Kodak released the Brownie cameras, which was very affordable and had a design that anyone, from seasoned photographic veterans to amateur first timers, could use. Then by 1963, the Instamatic cameras were released which, “featured easy-loading film cartridges, a major innovation at the time, which eliminated the need for users to thread film onto a take-up spool. This ease of use made the Instamatic a massive success, selling millions of units worldwide.” (about photography 2023)

Kodak Brownie cameras. Image Source: https://www.browniecam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/03-plastic-1.png

The Instamatic cameras started with the Instamatic 50 (Science Museum Group) and ended in 1976 with the X-15F (Morrell 2016). Although there were many different versions of the instamatic cameras, they all had one thing in common: “being the easy-to-load film cartridge, which eliminated the problems associated with handling and loading ‘roll’ film. Desmond Stone wrote in a 1963 Democrat and Chronicle story announcing the new camera that the Instamatic ‘will make picture-taking easier than falling off a log.’” (Morrell 2016).

Instamatic 50. Image Source: https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/167/114/medium_1990_5036_4563.jpg

Instamatic X-15F. Image Source: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UqQAAOSwTM5YwEFw/s-l1600.jpg

Then by 1972, as mentioned above, Kodak introduced the pocket instamatic cameras, which used the new 110 film and “The line was so popular that more than 25 million cameras were produced in slightly under three years,” (Kodak 2024).

A year later in1973, the KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera was introduced (Shotadze 2023) and was manufactured up until 1976, when production of this model stopped (bill339 2017) and by 1994 Kodak stopped making cameras completely (Burrows 2022). 

The Instamatic camera history is very festinating and if you want to learn more about it please check out Morrell’s (2016) article: Whatever Happened To ... Instamatic cameras? to get an in-depth summary here:

https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/rocroots/2015/12/31/whatever-happened-kodak-instamatic-cameras/78142968/

The KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera its format and use of the 110 film, as well as the small size and compactness made it a popular item (Shotadze 2023). The camera was also relatively cheap, in fact maybe even the cheapest of the instamatic series and the 110 film cameras (bill339 2017).

The simplicity and easy use of the instamatic cameras that allowed anyone to take pictures and drove up Kodak’s sales, caught the eye of other companies that jumped on the band wagon. Companies such as Konica, Olympus, Agfa, Yashica and Minolta. These companies even tried to improve on the designs from Kodak, who took advantage of the fact that according to Burrows (2022) the instamatic cameras, “wasn’t such a big hit with enthusiast-level shooters” because by 1976 “the potential for a 110 frame to give a higher-quality print was recognised by a number of camera makers who created more sophisticated machinery for the format.” (Burrows 2022).

The most notable cameras to come out was the Fujica Pocket 350 Zoom, the Pentax Auto 110 and my favourite, the Minolta 110 SLR (see the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR film camera post for more information). But even though Kodak stopped production of the instamatic cameras, they didn’t stop making 110 film cameras, neither did the other companies (Burrows 2022). The 110 film format lasted until 2006, when Kodak discontinued it, as well as FujiFilm in 2004. But fear not for Lomography in 2012 set out to revive the format (Burrows 2022).  

Fujica Pocket 350 Zoom. Image Source: https://gms.gumtree.co.za/api/v1/za-pt10-ads/images/68/680d59db-ab7b-4641-b9da-8b600ee086af?rule=s-I85.auto

Pentax Auto 110. Image Source: https://emulsive.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Pentax-110-Camera.jpg

Please see Burrows’ (2022) article (110 cameras: the rise and fall of little film format that made photography easy) detailing the history of the 110 film format:

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/110-cameras-the-rise-and-fall-of-little-film-format-that-made-photography-easy

Now let’s take a closer look at the KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10, starting with the body, which is mostly plastic with some metal parts, making it light weight, but also fragile. 

I really like the design and size of the camera making it look like something straight out of a spy film. With the dimension measurements of 11.8 x 11.4 x 5.6 cm (Hewitt), it is small enough to fit in anyone’s pocket (I wonder if that is where the name of the camera came from?) and be taken anywhere. Combined with the fact that it uses 110 film (see Minolta 110 Zoom SLR film camera post for more information on the film type) and that it doesn’t need batteries or a power source, makes it the ultimate camera to take pictures on the go.

Then there is the best part of the camera that makes it the best for amateur photographers is the “the simplicity of the mechanism” (Shotadze 2023). On this online museum/blog I have mentioned two cameras that are good for beginners, (these are the Sounex YN-9000 Re-usable Camera post and the Sinpo PQ-3 Point and Shoot Film Camera post) and well… this camera trumps both of them. 

This is because the KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 is the easiest point and shoot camera. Its size makes it easy to take and pack in with your digital and professional camera and unlike the other two 35mm film cameras, the 110 film doesn’t need to be meticulously put in, because “It comes in a sealed unit with two separate containers for exposed and unexposed film so unlike 35 mm film it does not require rewinding. The unit easily slides into the back of the camera and all you need to do is wind on and shoot…” (Lomography 2024).

Now let’s have a look at the front of the camera.

The KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 has a “25mm, f/11 lens,” (Shotadze 2023) and is a prime lens and fixed. It is also known as a Meniscus lens (bill339 2017), which according to Altechna (2024) is a lens that has “two curved surfaces, one with an outward-curved face and the other with an inward-curved one. These lenses are also referred to as convex-concave lenses. The radius of the curvature of both surfaces can be chosen independently of each other. Meniscus lenses are used in optical systems, in which aberrations need to be minimized. They are, for instance, used in multi-lens focusing objective, where they help to minimize the beam’s focal spot. The same benefit is applied in collimators.”

There is also no auto focus or manual focus, but this is compensated by the high f/stop of f/11, which according to Masoner (2020): “Larger f-stops, such as f/11, will require slower shutter speeds or more light and produce images with larger depths of field (more of the scene is in focus).” But this does have the draw back that to take a good picture, the user needs a lot of light (DIY Tech Life 2022).

Next to the lens is the viewfinder or ridge finder, meaning that the user can’t directly see what the sensor or lens is seeing, especially if (like this camera) the viewfinder isn’t aligned with the lens (like the YN9000 or PQ-3).

On top of the camera…

… Is the shutter release, which has two shutter speeds, one is set for a flash, the other without the flash (DIY Tech Life 2022).  This shutter speed is similar to the KODAK Pocket Instamatic 20, which is 1/100 second without the flash and 1/40 second with the flash (Wikipedia).

Speaking of the flash, next to the shutter release is the flash cube socket...  

…where a flash or magicube was used for flash photography. 

It was “a rotating cube with a miniature flashbulb incarcerated within each of its four mirrored compartments—made amateur photography of the domestic interior possible from the mid-1960s onwards. It also reduced the risk of injury presented by its forebears…” (Harriss 2021) and each bulb only had one use. 

The cube rotates counter clockwise and is set off by a striker at the bottom right of the socket. This creates a bright flash and if not careful can burn the user’s finger (trust me, I know this from experience). As mentioned this does change the shutter speed and reminds the user of this and that the flash is connected through a red line that appears in the viewfinder.

Then next to the flash cube socket, is a rectangular square, which would’ve had a sticker on it. There were many different designs that it came with, but the most popular from what I see is the classic stars and stripe.

Stars and Stripe decal. Image Source: https://i.etsystatic.com/14698412/r/il/30ab61/3068156302/il_1140xN.3068156302_5ooq.jpg

The back of the camera…

Is the film compartment, where the frame counter window (which I forgot to mention in the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR film camera post) is. The number of frames left in the 110 film is on the film cartage itself. To explain how film works to capture images onto film in a process known as photochemistry, please see the Kodak 200 Color Plus Film post.

Above that is the latch that must be pressed down which opens the film compartment, that as stated takes 110 film, that can just be inserted into the camera.

Next to the latch is the viewfinder. This viewfinder, being mirrorless, allows for the KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 to be light weight and because it is on the side allows it to have the slick design to be put away easily. But this type of viewfinder, that is on the side of the camera can have the same drawbacks as the Tamashi FMD QP8000 (Alan 2020), mentioned in the Sounex YN-9000 Re-usable Camera post, in that it is: “…basic and off centre. If your left eye is dominant, then this isn’t the camera for you. In the viewfinder, there are no frameline or other info seen in or around it.”

The finally there is the bottom, where similar to the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR film camera, there is the film advanced lever that is pushed in to move the film to the next frame when a photo is taken. Next to that is where the strap goes.

                               

For more information on the camera please check out the manual:

https://www.scribd.com/document/83674973/Kodak-instamatic-Pocket-10-Camera-Manual

The KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 also came with two accessories.

The strap and the flash extender, which was used to help move the flash cube away from the lens to help prevent red eye (bill339 2017).

Flash Extender. Image Source: https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?max_w=800&id=CHSDM-CH4152

There we go, nice and short. Now for my final thoughts. I really do like this camera, but even though I have praised it for its design and user friendly function, I will still strongly recommend that if someone wants to go into film photography that they go with either the Sounex YN-9000 Re-usable Camera or the Sinpo PQ-3 Point and Shoot Film Camera. This is because these two cameras, use the standard 35mm film, that can be easily developed at home and is also easier to find, whereas the 110 film is harder to get and to develop film this small, might be a bit frustrating. I would also recommend the other two cameras, because the YN-9000 has a universal hot shoe plate for flash and the PQ-3 has a built in flash. The KODAK Pocket Instamatic 10 uses flash cubes, which are hard to find and also are single use only, unlike the other two.

But if you are up for the hunt to find the cubes and the 110 film then by all means, have at it and have fun.

Thanks for making it to the end and as always, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did researching it.

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List of sources:

about photography. 2023. HISTORY OF KODAK: YOU PRESS THE BUTTON WE DO THE REST. https://aboutphotography.blog/blog/history-of-kodak

Alan, D. 2020. THE SCAM THAT CAME IN FROM THE COLD – TAMASHI FMD QP8000 REVIEW. https://austerityphoto.co.uk/the-scam-that-came-in-from-the-cold-tamashi-fmd-qp8000-review/

Altchna. 2024. Meniscus Lenses. https://www.altechna.com/products/lenses/meniscus-lenses/#:~:text=Meniscus%20lenses%20have%20two%20curved,chosen%20independently%20of%20each%20other.

bill339. 2017. Kodak Eastman: Pocket Instamatic 10. https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Kodak-Eastman/Pocket-Instamatic-10.html

Burrows, P. 2022. 110 cameras: the rise and fall of little film format that made photography easy. https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/features/110-cameras-the-rise-and-fall-of-little-film-format-that-made-photography-easy

DIY Life Tech. 2023. 10 Vintage Camera Review & Demo (With Magicube Demo). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25-ctRk9SlA

Fineman, M. 2004. Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kodk/hd_kodk.htm

George Eastman Museum. 2022. FROM THE CAMERA OBSCURA TO THE REVOLUTIONARY KODAK. https://www.eastman.org/camera-obscura-revolutionary-kodak#:~:text=George%20Eastman%20Museum%2C%20gift%20of,name%20on%20September%204%2C%201888.

Harriss, H. 2021. The Obsolete Object That Gave Every Boomer a Case of Redeye. https://slate.com/technology/2021/12/the-kodak-flashcube-history-how-the-object-changed-domestic-photography.html

Hewitt, C. Kodak Pocket Instamatic 10. https://www.si.edu/object/chndm_1998-41-1-a_b

Kodak. 2024. Milestones. https://www.kodak.com/en/company/page/milestones/

Lomography. 2024. What is 110 film? https://www.lomography.com/school/what-is-110-film-fa-ame1qreg

Masoner, L. 2020. How to Control Depth of Field With F-Stops in Photography. https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/controlling-depth-of-field-with-f-stops-2688857#:~:text=Larger%20f%2Dstops%2C%20such%20as,the%20scene%20is%20in%20focus).

Morrell, A. 2023. Whatever Happened To ... Instamatic cameras? https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/local/rocroots/2015/12/31/whatever-happened-kodak-instamatic-cameras/78142968/

Shotadze, A. 2023. Review: Kodak Pocket Instamatic 10 + Lomography Tiger CN200 film. https://emulsive.org/articles/review-kodak-pocket-instamatic-10-lomography-tiger-cn200-film

Science Museum Group. Kodak Instamatic 50 camera. https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8210887/kodak-instamatic-50-camera-pocket-camera-cartridge-camera

Wikipedia. Instamatic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instamatic#:~:text=Programmed%20autoexposure%20selected%20an%20appropriate,%E2%81%84250%20to%2010%20seconds.