Even though Kodak manufactured about 90 models of Instamatic cameras from 1963 to 1988, it based most of them on the same three bodies. Each body type created a series, each camera in the series offering different features.
The first Instamatic was the Instamatic 50, which ushered in the first Instamatic body type. This Instamatic 104 shows its basic style. The 104 took flashcubes; the similar 100 had a pop-up flash holder for AG-1 bulbs.
This Hawkeye Instamatic is the same camera as the Instamatic 50, just with a green body, a different face plate, and no trim around the lens barrel. It offers a hot shoe for a flash attachment.
The 300 series uses the same basic body as the 50/100 series, but adds a selenium light meter, which made a thicker face plate and a different shutter button necessary. Like the 100/104, the 300 takes AG-1 flashbulbs and the 304 takes flashcubes. The 400/404 models are the same as the 300/304, but add a spring-loaded automatic winder.
Another series to use this body was the 134 and the similar 124 and 174 (and maybe others). Kodak just affixed yet another new face plate.
The major tell for all of the cameras using this body is the back; all of them use this film door.
The second common body style is this one with its rounded corners, which makes it instantly identifiable.
The Instmatic 333-X uses the same body. Instamatics with model names that end in X all had flash systems that took Magicubes.
Kodak made a few other series with this same body type, such as this Instamatic 66X. Kodak made far more models using this body type than with any other body type.
The third common body type was applied mostly to the X series, such as this X-15 (which I reviewed yesterday).
Here’s an Instamatic X-30, which offers an electronic shutter that the X-15 doesn’t have. It clearly shows the family resemblance. You’ll find a couple non-X-series cameras that use this body, as well.
From here, I’ll show you all of the other body types I know of. But all of these body types were used on relatively few models.
I know of only three Instamatics made using this body type: the 44, 11, and the Hawkeye Instamatic II. I owned the Hawkeye model when I was a kid. It’s the cheapest-feeling Instamatic I’ve ever experienced.
Pacific Rim Camera photo
At the other end of the spectrum is the German-made Instamatics of this body type, with their fine Schneider-Kreuznach or Rodenstock lenses. I know of the 500 and the 250 that use this body.
Mike Eckman photo; review here
As far as I can tell, this body was used only on the Instamatic S-10 and S-20, which had an unusual side-mounted spring-loaded winder.
Photo sourced from Etsy seller CameraHeaven
Another uncommon body was used only on the Instamatic 25 and 26, as far as I can tell.
Photo sourced from eBay seller e.j.s.typewriters
This body was used on a few Instamatics, including this 224.
This body was used on a handful of Instamatics, including this 804.
Photo sourced from eBay seller bareber5060
Finally, arguably the creme de la creme among Instamatics is the Instamatic Reflex. Made in Germany, you could get this body in all black or with a brushed metal top plate. It offered automatic exposure, an electronic shutter, and interchangeable lenses.
Photo sourced from eBay seller vfcamerashop
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