Kodak Automatic 35/Motormatic 35
The Kodak Automatic and Motormatic series were Kodak’s last American made 35mm cameras, and their first automatic exposure 35mm cameras. Tracing their original roots back to the Kodak 35 of 1938, there were seven different models; the first, the Kodak Automatic 35, was introduced in 1959 while the last, the Motormatic 35R4, was introduced in 1965. Production ceased in 1969.
Based largely on the Kodak Signet 50, the Kodak Automatic utilized that camera’s basic body, film transport, and lens. The lens was a 44mm f/2.8 Kodak Ektanar (Lumenized), a 4-element Tessar design with front element focusing. The camera had a drum take up spool and bottom mounted advance lever.
The various Automatic and Motormatic cameras differ only in that the Automatics had a two speed (1/40 and 1/80) Kodak Synchro 80 Shutter and manual film advance, while the Motormatics had a four speed (1/40, 1/80, 1/125, and 1/250) Kodak Automatic Flash Shutter and a spring driven power film advance instead of a lever. The spring driven film advance was to reappear on Kodak’s Instamatic 800 series.
The main difference between the successive models of each camera were in the flash capabilities, evolving from the side mounted M2 flashbulb gun of the original models, adding an aperture/distance guide number interlock on the B model, through the integral top mounted AG-1 socket and reflector of the F models, and finally to the top mounted Flashcube socket on the R4 models.
These are fixed-lens viewfinder cameras; focusing is by scale or estimate. The bodies are made from bakelite, with metal inserts, fittings, and attached plates. The top plate contains (from the right) the brightline window, the centrally located viewfinder, and the selenium meter cell. In addition to the viewfinder having a brightline for the 44mm lens and parallax marks for 3 and 5 feet, it displays the words “Close-ups”, “Groups”, and Scenes” when the focusing ring is set to the appropriate click stop.
The selenium exposure meter is calibrated for ASA speed via a dial on the left top plate. With the introduction of these cameras, Kodak finally abandoned the EV system, the meter now reading out in f/stops. Bother cameras utilized the trap needle exposure automation system first developed in the Kodak Super Six-20 of 1938.
Details of Kodak Automatic/Motormatic Cameras
The following information is taken from the original camera manuals.
Lens: Kodak Ektanar, 44mm f/2.8, Lumenized, accepts Series 5 accessories
Lens Openings: f/2.8 to f/32
Shutter:
(Automatic models) Kodak Synchro 80 Shutter - Automatically cocked when film is advanced. Double-Exposure prevention. Speeds: 1/40, 1/80
(Motormatic models) Kodak Automatic Flash Shutter - Automatically cocked when film is advanced. Double-Exposure prevention. Speeds: 1/40, 1/80, 1/125, 1/250
Film: 35mm Body Release: Right front of camera
Flash: Built-in synchronization, use No. 5 or 25, and M-2 bulbs to 1/30 second. Electronic flash (X-synchronized) at all shutter speeds
Focusing Range: 2 1/2 feet to infinity.
Viewfinder: Optical, projected viewframe type.
Meter: Selenium photocell automatically sets lens aperture. ASA 10 to 160, 320, or 800, depending on model.
Construction: Single stroke lever film advance (Automatic models) or spring driven Power Drive (Motormatic moels), easy drum-type loading, automatic exposure counter.
Summary of model differences
| Model | Lens | Shutter | Film Advance | Flash features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic 35 | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Synchro 80 | Manual | Kodalite Flashbulb gun |
| Automatic 35B | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Synchro 80 | Manual | Kodalite Flashbulb gun/GN lens coupling |
| Automatic 35F | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Synchro 80 | Manual | AG-1 bulb on camera/GN lens coupling |
| Automatic 35R4 | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Synchro 80 | Manual | Flashcube/GN lens coupling |
| Motormatic 35 | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Automatic Flash | Spring motor | Kodalite Flashbulb gun/GN lens coupling |
| Motormatic 35F | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Automatic Flash | Spring motor | AG-1 bulb on camera/GN lens coupling |
| Motormatic 35R4 | 44mm f/2.8 Ektanar | Kodak Automatic Flash | Spring motor | Flashcube/GN lens coupling |
