Kodak M 2 Instamatic
Kodak M 2 Instamatic
Contents
Specs[edit]
Year: 1965-67
Lens: Ektanar 1,8 / 13 mm
Fixed Focusing
Frame rates: 18
Shutter degree: 170
Manual Exposure
No sound
4 X 1,5V batteries
Made in USA
Manufacturer: Eastman Kodak
Recently paid in eBay net auction: $6,50 eBay 7/1999
Comments[edit]
This low-end metal monster was in fact the first Super 8 camera ever produced.
When Kodak introduced the Super 8 cartridge in 1965 they announced a range of new, compact, very inexpensive cameras using Super 8. At the time they were very good value for money for beginners and newcomers to movie making. The M2 was the cheapest, most basic model with the exposure set manually by aperture adjustment of the lens. An exposure guide was printed on the side of the body. There were no other adjustments.
Based around the cartridge its shape was revolutionary when most 8mm cameras were tall and narrow. The M2 and the automatic version, the M4, were squat and chunky. The lens was a non-zoom prime with fixed focus with a nominal maximum aperture of F1.8 but actually F2.2 due to the shape of the iris diaphragm. A tripod bush is provided on the base but there was no pistol grip or trigger handle. The release is on the top of the camera. Four AA batteries were used installed behind a cover in the base. The cover is awkward to remove and replace and the batteries tend to fly out in all directions when the cover is removed. The viewfinder is separate from the lens and gives a small image. Later Kodaks had slightly better viewfinders
Generally reliable, there is little to go wrong until the motor or gears fail, the picture quality is good as the simple lens provides high contrast, sharp pictures, provided the subject is not too close when the aperture is large.
The M2 was replaced in 1967 by the similar but cheaper M12. This had a shorter body but the progressive reduction in size culminating in the even smaller M22 seems to have led to a shortening life for the camera geartrain with each new model.
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