Kodak 35 RF

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A contemporary of the Argus C3 and the Universal Mercury, Kodak 35 RF astonished users with its ungainly looks, due to the coupling between the rangefinder and the focusing mechanism which was accomplished by a cam and levers located under an external housing.

The camera is basically a Kodak 35 with the addition of a new cover containing a fixed viewfinder, film counter, wind and rewind knobs, and the separate rangefinder window. The rangefinder, an obvious afterthought, was incorporated in response to the marketing success of the Argus C series. It is quite accurate and easy to use and very capable of producing excellent results, even by modern standards.

Like the Kodak 35, the rangefinder model is solidly crafted out of Bakelite with numerous metallic panels, inserts and fittings. The back removes completely for film loading.

Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Kodak
  • Origin: USA
  • Introduced: 1940
  • Withdrawn: 1951
  • Lens/Shutters:
    • Kodak Anastigmat Special f3.5 with five speed Kodamatic shutter (1/10 to 1/200 plus T and B) (1940-48)
    • Kodak Anastigmat Special f3.5 with Flash Kodamatic shutter 1/10 to 1/200 plus T and B) (1946-48)
    • Kodak Anastar f3.5 in a five speed Flash Kodamatic shutter 1/10 to 1/200 plus T and B) (1947-51)

The Anastar and Anastigmat lenses were similar, differing primarily in name and the inclusion of flash synchronization.

The Kodak 35 RF originally sold in 1940 for a list price of $48 USD[1] (app. $700 USD in 2007). As this was almost double the price of the Argus C3, it is easy to see why the Kodak 35 Rangefinder model suffered from lackluster sales.

Gallery


References

  1. History of Kodak Cameras at www.kodak.com

Source

  • Coe, Brian, Kodak Cameras, the First Hundred Years, Hove Foto Books, 1988
  • Kalton Lahue and Joesph Bailey, Glass, Brass, & Chrome - The American 35mm Miniature Camera, University of Oklahoma Press, 1972

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