Kodak Motormatic 35

The Kodak Motormatic 35 is a view camera. It was manufactured by Eastman Kodak from 1960 to 1962. The model is part of the Automatic/Motormatic series of the American photo pioneer. The Motormatic models are equipped with a spring-loaded drive for transporting the film.

The lens of the photo camera cannot be changed. The name of the manufacturer for the lens is “Kodak Ektanar 44mm f/2.8”. The focal length is 44mm and the maximum aperture is f/2.8. The 35mm camera has no autofocus. The lens is focused manually, small pictograms help to do so. For a higher precision in focusing you have to use an external rangefinder. The closest focusing distance for this lens is 91 cm (3 feet).

Photography is made easier by the built-in selenium light meter. It is designed for films from ISO 10 to ISO 800. Aperture and exposure time can be set automatically by the Kodak Motormatic 35. The shutter speed and aperture can also be selected manually by the photographer.

The Motormatic 35 is equipped with the Kodak Automatic Flash shutter. It offers four different shutter speeds, 1/40 s, 1/80 s, 1/125 s and 1/250 s.

The camera does not need electricity to take pictures, as it is completely mechanical. The light meter measures the amount of light through a chemical process and therefore does not need batteries. Over the years the accuracy decreases. In some cases the light meter does not work at all.

The 35mm photo camera can be used with a tripod. A flash with a Kodalite connector can be used with the camera. Possible models are the Kodalite Midget or the Kodak Supermite. Electronic flashes work with any shutter speed. When using AG-1, M-2, M-5 and M-25 flash bulbs, select 1/40 second. An auto flash is available, with this the aperture is set automatically. This functionality works in a range of 5 to 25 feet (1.52 to 7.62 m).

Films for the Kodak Motormatic 35

Without 35mm film, nothing works with the Kodak Motormatic 35. These are still easy to get today and are still being developed. Possible films for the Kodak Motormatic 35 are the Kodak Gold 200* for color photos and the Ilford Delta 100* for b/w photos. The film is automatically transported further. The mechanism allows up to 10 frames in 7 seconds.