Kodak Automatic 35 (1959-1964)

The Kodak Automatic 35 (made from 1959 to 1964) was one of the last 35 mm cameras made in the USA by Eastman Kodak Company.  The Automatic 35 resembles the earlier Signet 30 and Signet 50 cameras. The film transport and exposure counter are basically the same, all three have the same f/2.8 44mm Ektanar lens, and the viewfinders are similar. The shutter and aperture diaphragm on the Automatic 35 are different from the ones on the Signets because of the auto exposure system. The camera has a selenium photocell that powers a galvanometer. The movement of the galvanometer needle is proportional to the light striking the photocell. When the photographer presses the shutter release, the aperture blades set the correct exposure by moving according to the position of the meter needle. The film speed selector works by changing the amount of light that can reach the photocell. The maximum amount of light strikes the photocell when the meter is set to 160. Slower film speed settings reduce the amount of light, reducing the sensitivity of the photocell in proportion to the sensitivity of the film. 

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Film Chamber

The Automatic 35 has a scale focusing f/2.8-f/32 44mm Ektanar lens in a two-speed Kodak Synchro 80 shutter that runs at 1/80 for daylight pictures or 1/40 for flash pictures. The lens focuses as close as 2.5 feet. The aperture is automatically set by a selenium cell light meter on the front of the camera. The meter can be set manually for ASA film speeds from 10 to 160. The aperture also can be set manually to the appropriate exposure value setting. Kodak supplied exposure cards that give exposure value settings for their films and could be slipped into a holder on the back of the camera. The viewfinder displays a warning when the film needs to be advanced, and a warning when the aperture has been set manually. Advancing the film cocks the shutter. Film advance is by a lever on the bottom of the camera. Like many lenses of the same period the lens was made using thorium glass, and is slightly radioactive. Old selenium light meters frequently no longer work. Although can set the aperture manually, you probably want to find one with a working meter. The light meter on mine works and the camera can take a decent picture.

Byrd Lake, Crossville, Tennessee

The Automatic 35 was followed by the 35B (with more flash automation than the original Automatic 35), the 35F (with a built-in flash holder for AG-1 flashbulbs), and the 35R4 (with a flash cube socket). The first still camera to have auto exposure was the Super Kodak Six-20 of 1938. The Super was very expensive and sold poorly. The Kodak Automatic 35 has a simplified version of the Super's auto exposure system that is more reliable and a good deal less expensive, selling well with a list price of $84.50.