The Kodak Motormatic 35F is a view camera. It was produced by Eastman Kodak from 1962 to 1967. It is part of the US company’s Automatic/Motormatic series.
The 35mm camera comes with a fixed focal length lens. The lens is called “Kodak Ektanar 44mm f/2.8”. The focal length is 44mm. The largest aperture is f/2.8. The 35mm camera has no autofocus and no rangefinder. The lens is focused manually, at some distances marked with pictograms it locks into place to facilitate distance setting. The minimum distance to the subject is 91 cm.
The Kodak Motormatic 35F has a built-in selenium light meter. It is designed for films from ISO 10 to ISO 800. Batteries are not needed for exposure metering, but the accuracy of the photocells can decrease over the years or they stop operating completely.
The exposure is set automatically by the camera. The aperture and exposure time can also be freely adjusted according to the photographer’s wishes. The aperture can be set from f/2.8 to f/32, and the shutter speed of the Kodak Automatic Flash Shutter can be set to 1/40 s, 1/80 s, 1/125s and 1/250 s.
The camera has a tripod thread for shake-free shooting. An AG-1 flash bulb can be mounted in the corresponding holder. The flash sync speed is 1/40 second. Two N-batteries are required for use.
Films for the Kodak Motormatic 35F
The camera is built for 35mm film. Rolls of 35mm film are still produced by various manufacturers. A color film for the 35mm camera would be the Kodak Portra 160*. A possible film for black and white images is the Ilford Delta 100*.
The development process for color film is the C-41 process. This development process is available at almost every photo lab. Most drugstore chains in Germany offer the development of color films.
The exposure area of the Kodak Motormatic 35F is 24 mm x 36 mm. The film in the 35mm photo camera is automatically forwarded to the next frame by a spring driven mechanism. The mechanism takes up to 10 frames in a 10 second period.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Viewfinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 44 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 91 cm / 2.9848 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/250 second to 1/40 second |
| Light meter | Selenium light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 10 to 800 |
| Exposure modes | Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Mount for AG-1 flash bulbs |
| Flash sync speed | 1/40 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | Not necessary |
| End of production | 1967 |
| Production duration | 5 years |
FAQ about the Kodak Motormatic 35F
Is the Kodak Motormatic 35F a simple camera to use?
Yes, it's relatively straightforward. It has a simple, manual focus with distance markings, and the exposure is set automatically. However, it lacks autofocus.
What kind of film does this 35mm camera use?
It uses standard 35mm film. You can use both color and black and white films, and the camera automatically advances the film after each shot.
Does the camera need batteries for taking pictures?
No, it doesn't need batteries for picture taking itself. However, it uses a selenium light meter to determine the exposure, which doesn't require batteries, but might become inaccurate over time.
How does the Kodak Motormatic 35F focus?
It's a manual focus camera. You manually adjust the lens to the approximate distance using the distance markings on the lens. It doesn't have an autofocus or rangefinder.
Can I use a flash with the camera?
Yes, you can use an AG-1 flashbulb with the camera. The camera has a flash sync speed of 1/40th of a second for compatible flash units.