Kodak brought photography to the masses.

[Borneo]

They did this with their first consumer level box camera in 1888.



In January, as part of their bankruptcy, Kodak announced that they were exiting the camera manufacturing business in in 2012.

This Easyshare z5120 will most likely be their last.



I'm not one to lament the demise of a corporate overlord, but this one is bitter sweet.

[Refuse/resist]

I know what you mean, Borneo. I have a sentimental attachment to certain brands for various reasons.

[Andrea]

I was always a big fan of Ektachrome. I don't think it has been available for years. Recently, I've been thinking about getting back into film, not because of film itself, but because of a camera I want to use if I can find it. It's a sentimental journey to go back to a camera I loved as a teen. It met an untimely demise at the hands of my mother (accidentally). It probably doesn't make sense to do it, but it's kind of calling to me. I have an attachment to Kodak, too, Borneo. I used all their products back in the day: film, paper, chemicals, little stirrer sticks, everything. Except, I don't think I ever actually had one of their cameras.

[Borneo]

(05-31-2012 02:38 AM)Andrea Wrote:  I was always a big fan of Ektachrome. I don't think it has been available for years. Recently, I've been thinking about getting back into film, not because of film itself, but because of a camera I want to use if I can find it. It's a sentimental journey to go back to a camera I loved as a teen. It met an untimely demise at the hands of my mother (accidentally). It probably doesn't make sense to do it, but it's kind of calling to me. I have an attachment to Kodak, too, Borneo. I used all their products back in the day: film, paper, chemicals, little stirrer sticks, everything. Except, I don't think I ever actually had one of their cameras.

I got the bug with 2 cameras when I was little. My grandpa's Polaroid that I could only take a few pics when I visited, and my Mom's Kodak instamatic camera with those cube flashes on it. It took 125 Kodacolor film. A big plastic cartridge with both reels on it. I just slapped one in and shot dumb things kids shoot.

So Santa gave me my own. I think I was 8. A little GAF 110 pocket camera. Same type of film cartridge, but smaller. I went through film like no tomorrow, and begging Mom to take me to the Photomat to process it all. they were these little drive up shacks in parking lots. I always wondered what happens to the nice lady if a car hit them. That we're crappy photos, but I got addicted. I think my Mom took it away because of bad grades, but I bet it was the film and processing costs that she was tired of. Then it somehow got lost.

I didn't have a camera after that until I bought my Minolta SLR when I joined the army at 19. Still used Kodak film though!

[Borneo]

Remember these?

[catshrink]

(05-31-2012 07:23 AM)Borneo Wrote:  

Remember these?

I sure do! Does anyone process film anymore? I still have my Nikon SLRs but use my digital cameras because they are so easy and quick to upload.

[NowIknowWhy]

(05-31-2012 08:16 AM)catshrink Wrote:  I sure do! Does anyone process film anymore? I still have my Nikon SLRs but use my digital cameras because they are so easy and quick to upload.

Pretty sure you can still do it at most pharmacies. The CVS by me still has it in addition to the regular digital prints.

Meh...video killed the radio star.

[PassionateProgressive]

Anyone remember the Brownie Hawkeye? I think that was the name of it - my first camera for going to camp...You found your image by looking down from the top as opposed to looking from the side.

[Andrea]

(05-31-2012 07:20 AM)Borneo Wrote:  

(05-31-2012 02:38 AM)Andrea Wrote:  I was always a big fan of Ektachrome. I don't think it has been available for years. Recently, I've been thinking about getting back into film, not because of film itself, but because of a camera I want to use if I can find it. It's a sentimental journey to go back to a camera I loved as a teen. It met an untimely demise at the hands of my mother (accidentally). It probably doesn't make sense to do it, but it's kind of calling to me. I have an attachment to Kodak, too, Borneo. I used all their products back in the day: film, paper, chemicals, little stirrer sticks, everything. Except, I don't think I ever actually had one of their cameras.

I got the bug with 2 cameras when I was little. My grandpa's Polaroid that I could only take a few pics when I visited, and my Mom's Kodak instamatic camera with those cube flashes on it. It took 125 Kodacolor film. A big plastic cartridge with both reels on it. I just slapped one in and shot dumb things kids shoot.

So Santa gave me my own. I think I was 8. A little GAF 110 pocket camera. Same type of film cartridge, but smaller. I went through film like no tomorrow, and begging Mom to take me to the Photomat to process it all. they were these little drive up shacks in parking lots. I always wondered what happens to the nice lady if a car hit them. That we're crappy photos, but I got addicted. I think my Mom took it away because of bad grades, but I bet it was the film and processing costs that she was tired of. Then it somehow got lost.

I didn't have a camera after that until I bought my Minolta SLR when I joined the army at 19. Still used Kodak film though!

My first camera when I was grade school age was a Girl Scout camera and I did not like it at all. It looked really silly in two-tone green. I can't remember what kind of film it took. When I was a teenager and getting serious about photography, my dad let me use his Leica. I knew that was a great camera and a great privilege, but it drove me crazy because I had to use a light meter with it. Then one day my grandfather called me into his bedroom. There on the neatly made bed were two cameras. One was some kind of instamatic and one was a Kowa SLR. He asked me if I could tell which one was a better camera. Of course I said the Kowa, even though I had not heard of the brand. I knew the difference between an instamatic and an SLR. He told me that since I picked the right one, I got to have it. I loved that camera! It had a built in light meter. It was like someone took the handcuffs off. It was so easy to use, I just had a ball with it. I took it everywhere. I can't remember if it could take other lenses, but I know I didn't have any by the time it met it's demise. I recently discovered that there are Kowa SLRs in working condition on eBay for very little money. So, I am tempted... I could get one for about $30, which is much less than it would cost me to get a digital SLR. I would have to save up for a few years before I could get any kind of digital SLR. I'm thinking about it, but I know that the film and processing costs would run into a lot of money.

And yes, I certainly remember those little Fotomat places. I always wondered where the workers went to the bathroom. I still wonder.

[HBravo]

Kodak was so big Paul Simon even had a song about, Kodachrome.