Kodak 155x instamatic camera

I recently acquired a kodak 155x instamatic camera and I wanted to know more about it.

Anything you know please share (I am trying to begin a vintage camera collection, but some of them are so old that they leave me truly perplexed)

 

Thanks,

AbdulRaheemhttp://file///Users/Han/Pictures/Photo%20Booth%20Library/Pictures/Photo%20on%2017-06-2018%20at%2014.41%20%232.jpg

A recent post by Marc Bergman (here) showed magazine articles about the Instamatic format when it was launched.

I believe the 155x is not one of the models commonly sold in the US, so likely you aren't in the US, either.

 

If you want to start a vintage camera collection, and actually use the cameras, best is for ones that use 35mm

or size 120 film, which are still commonly in production.

 

Older films in other sizes are not hard to find on eBay, at least not in the US. Black and white film

usually works well to at least 20 years or so, assuming not too warm storage conditions.

 

Here is the story of the 155x: Kodak Instamatic 155X

 

Many high quality vintage cameras, still working, are available for very low prices.

I think the 155X is similar to the American market X-15. Like its American cousin, the 155X takes magicubes. For cloudy conditions a dead magicube in the socket reduces shutter speed from 1/90 to 1/40, but the 155X appears to have an adjustment for cloudy conditions.

Some vendor (I think Film Photography Project) offers a reloadable 126 cartridge that gives limited function in some 126 cameras.

ooh I get it! It's a 126 camera. If you make the effort, it can be done, but there is too much effort for a consumer standard camera ..though most 126 cameras were budget consumer models...there were other more worthy subjects ..you can even find a Contaflex 126..

The X-15. My first camera. Look where it's gotten me.....:D

 

Rick H.

Step aside you Robot Royals, here's the clockwork Instamatic 400 with a rare set of supplementary lenses.

 

Kodak Instamatic 400

 

I'm not sure where "vintage" leaves off and "modern" comes in, but it doesn't make any difference.

A whole generation of 'snapshooters' started with this camera. Even deluxe SLRs were made using the film, but the tolerances in film and lenses of many of them seemed to be too loose to provide much more than small prints.

 

also go to Instamatic - Wikipedia ; 126 film - Wikipedia ; 126 Film

 

A comprehensive collection of these can be accumulated in thrift shops and yard sale. eBay too, of course but postage and so on add up.

There was some question as to how flat the 126 cartridge could hold the film, but wouldn't have been an issue except with fast lenses used wide open. Never put it to the test since my Instamatic 124 had an f 11 lens. I did pick up an Olympus Quickmatic with an f 2.8 lens which is still just fine. Kodak offered an f 1.9 normal lens for its Instamatic Reflex and I think Ricoh might have had a fast normal. The Zeiss model, though I think was f 2.8.