Kodak Instamatic Reflex
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The Kodak Instamatic Reflex was an SLR made in Germany by Kodak AG for 126 Cartridge film. It was introduced in 1968, and withdrawn in 1974 in the US & UK, and in 1970 elsewhere. It was the top model of the Instamatic range, and considerably more sophisticated than most.
Description
The Reflex had aperture-priority automatic exposure via a CdS light meter and one of the first electronic shutters - a Compur Electronic. The metering system sensed the film speed from the cartridge, which could indicate 64, 80, 125 or 160 ASA. The lenses were interchangeable, having a Retina S-Series mount, so it could use the existing Retina lenses. The viewfinder had a display of the automatically-selected shutter speed, and a focusing screen with a split-image rangefinder. Flash was provided by Flashcubes - with automatic exposure, when using the 45/2.8 lens - or an accessory flashgun connected via a PC socket beside the Flashcube mount.
The chrome top was replaced by black in 1969.
Reference: Instamatic Reflex instruction manual
Specification
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Introduced: 1968
- Withdrawn: 1970 (1974 in US & UK)
- Shutter: Compur-Electronic 20s - 1/500s; flash synch at 1/30s
- Lens: could be supplied body only, or with Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 45mm/f2.8; Lenses from 28 to 200mm were available.
There were a few other 126-format SLRs, for example, the Contaflex 126.
Links
- Comparison of Instamatic & Retina Reflexes on Photoethnography by Karen Nakamura
- Instamatic Reflex on BVIPirate Kodak Collectors page
- User Manual on Mike Butkus' pages
