bakelite beauties from 1950 - 54 as a camera for the serious amateur.
Controls
This camera has aperture, shutter speed and manual focus controls on the three element 51mm, Kodak
Anaston lens equipped with a flash post. Its aperture settings f22, 16, 11, 8, 5.6 and 4.5. Shutter speeds
B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, and 1/200sec. The simple two blade shutter on the Kodak Flash 200 was synced
at 1/200sec. On top a simple viewfinder, film advance and rewind knobs, a handy film counter and
a film type reminder. It also came with a tripod mount.
This model, the 135 used the 135 cartridge film, it was second the Pony line after the popular 828 model
which used 828 roll film. Following the 135 were the 135 “MODEL B” (’53-55), the 135 “MODEL C” (’55-58),
the Pony “II” (’57-62) and finally the Pony “IV” (’57-61).
The 135 has this really neat pull out lens barrel. To extend or collapse the lens you needed to unlock with a
twist to the left and lock with a twist to the right.
I have a Rollei 35 that also has a collapsable lens barrel that was used to allow the camera to be "pocketed"
for carrying. I am sure that is the reasoning behind this one as well.
Ease of use.
To use the camera first you had to remove the rear plate by pushing in a small release on the right camera
strap connector and push down. The back came completely off for easy loading of the 35mm film,
then snap it back in place and pull connector up to lock. Wind the film to the start. You then extended the barrel
by twisting, pulling and locking. A safety feature would not allow you to snap a picture without extending the
barrel. Adjust your aperture settings and film speed on the lens, then estimate the distance to your subject,
turn the foot meter at the front to approximate focus. Next cock the shutter with the leaver on the side of the
lens, eye to the viewfinder to frame your subject and press the shutter release button on the top. Then don't
forget to move the release lever and advance the film to the next frame. Done.
Cost.
For a mere $35 dollars (around $300 in 2012 dollars) you could have added one of these little Ponys to your herd. Your other options in those days were plentiful but like many other Kodak cameras they were affordable to
encourage the use of Kodak's film.
To learn more about cameras from the 50's, or for that matter from the 1900's to the 1970's visit this informative website. http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/1950Room.html