Kodak 35 (1938-1948)

Kodak 35 with f/5.6 50 mm Lens

Kodak 35 with f/4.5 51 mm Lens

Kodak 35 with f/3.5 50 mm Lens

Kodak was making 35 mm film by the mile for the motion picture industry when in 1934 they started to sell for still cameras 36 exposure rolls of 35 mm film in what they called a daylight loading magazine, and simultaneously brought out a made-in-Germany camera, the Retina, that used the new film.  The competing Zeiss Ikon Contax and Leitz Leica also could use the same film magazine.  Another Kodak miniature camera, the Bantam, which came out in 1935, used film that was 35 mm wide, but in an 8-exposure paper backed roll like the other format Kodak roll films already in production.  People who used other Kodak cameras were used to taking only a few pictures on special occasions, and apparently Kodak believed that the Bantam with an 8 exposure film would be more appealing to family snapshooters than a 35 mm camera with a 36 exposure film.  The 1936 Argus A camera demonstrated that an inexpensive 35 mm camera would sell very well, and Kodak was soon to follow.  In 1938 Kodak brought out their first 35 mm cameras to be made in the USA.  The Kodak 35 initially came with three different lenses and shutters.  All three versions have cast phenolic resin bodies with metal top and bottom plates and flip-up viewfinders. All have front cell focusing lenses.  Close focus on all is 4 feet.  The back of the camera comes off for loading film.  To advance the film the photographer presses a button on the top of the camera and turns the winding knob clockwise until it stops.  The film counter is reset manually and counts up.  The photographer lifts and turns the film winding knob a quarter turn to release the film advance mechanism  to allow the film to be rewound.   

The least expensive model came with an f/5.6 50 mm Kodak Anastigmat lens (three elements) in a Kodex shutter.  The shutter speeds are 1/25, 1/50 and 1/100 second plus Bulb and Time.  There is a socket for a cable release.  The shutter release lever cocks and fires the shutter in one motion.  There is no double exposure prevention and nothing to stop the photographer from advancing the film without first taking a picture.  This model did not come with an accessory clip.  List price in 1939 was $14.50.

The middle model came with an f/4.5 51 mm Kodak Anastigmat lens (three elements) in a Diomatic shutter or later a Flash Diomatic shutter.  The shutter speeds are 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/150 second plus bulb and time.  There is a socket for a cable release.  Advancing the film cocks the shutter, but it is still possible to advance the film without taking a picture.  A small red flag is visible at the top of the lens to remind the photographer that the camera is ready to take a picture.  Film has to be loaded for the shutter to work.  This model came with an accessory clip for a Kodak Service Range Finder.  List price in 1939 was $24.50.

The top model came with an f/3.5 50 mm Kodak Anastigmat Special lens (four elements in three groups) in a Kodamatic shutter or later a Flash Kodamatic shutter.  The shutter speeds are 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 and 1/200 second plus bulb and time.  Like the f/4.5 model, advancing the film cocks the shutter.  This model also had an accessory clip.  List price in 1939 was $33.50.  Unfortunately the front surface of the lens on mine is damaged and it is no longer a good picture taker.  [Update] I replaced the front lens element with one from another 35 f/3.5 that had a bad shutter and recollimated the lens.  It seems to be OK now.

Although the Kodak cameras are arguably better, the Argus 35s out sold the Kodak 35s.  The Argus C3 was the biggest selling 35 mm camera made in the USA.

[Update] The shutters on the f/4.5 and f/3.5 models were cocked by advancing the film.  When the film is wound on it moves past sprocket wheels that rotate a shaft with a bevel gear.  The bevel gear turns another bevel gear that is on a shaft with a pinion.  This pinion turns a ring gear that cocks the shutter.  Motion of the sprocket wheels measures out the film and locks the winding knob when the correct amount of film is feed out, taking one rotation of the sprocket wheels.  A button on the top of the camera unlocks the winding knob to allow the film to be advanced for one more picture.  This also advances the film counter dial one position.  The f/5.6 model has a similar film metering system, except that advancing the film does not cock the shutter, which is an ever-set shutter.

  

The Alley in Percy Warner Park, Nashville, Tennessee
Kodak 35 f/4.5 model.