KODAK HALF FRAME CAMERAS
It took Kodak a hundred years, but they finally got into the 35mm half-frame camera business.
But they didn't actually make these cameras, though. They just let a camera maker, RETOPRO, make the cameras, and
use the Kodak name -- for a price, of course. The features are pretty basic, and similar to other simple
half-frames, such as the SUPERHEADZ 35mm half-frame cameras. They feature a built-in flash and a small-and-light
body, and are designed to be handy and easy-to-use. Reminiscent of the Kodak Instamatic 304 in shape and features
-- except that the built-in flash (powered by a single AAA battery) replaces the selenium meter on the 304.
(2022) It has a fixed-focus, 22mm; f9.5, 2-element, plastic, slightly wide-angle lens for a half-frame -- and a single speed of 1/100. It is largely plastic and weighs only 3.5 ounces, as a result. It has an ON/OFF switch -- around the lens -- to turn the flash ON or OFF, similar to the SUPERHEADZ half-frame cameras. It comes in four colours, namely black, brown, sage and sand.
(2023) The H35 was popular enough that REPOPRO decided to come out with a DELUX version only one year later -- with some added features. The noticeable change is to the face plate. It not only comes in a wider variety of colors, but it is metallic and reminiscent of CD covers. Some also add patterns. Take your pick Feature-wise, the lens is improved to include a coated glass element which improves the picture quality, and is now slightly faster -- f8.0. It also includes a built-in 4-star filter -- which can be switched ON or OFF with a knob to the left of the lens. The shutter is also updated to include a "B" setting -- so you can now capture long exposure photos -- and if you are fast enough speeds like 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, etc.. To make this feature actually useful, the camera now has a tripod socket and a cable release connection, but any flat surface might suffice.
COPYRIGHT @ 1995-2023 by Joe McGloin. All Rights Reserved.
