Instant Camera - Types of Non-Polaroid Instant Cameras

Types of Non-Polaroid Instant Cameras

Some of the earliest instant cameras were brought to market before Edwin Land's invention of the instant camera. These cameras are, however, more portable darkrooms than "instant" camera. After Land's patent was brought to market, many imitators surfaced, some using Polaroid-compatible film and equipment, such as cameras by Keystone, Konica, and Minolta. Others were incompatible with Polaroid cameras and film, the most notable of these being made by Kodak, such as the Kodamatic. These cameras accepted a Kodak-branded integral instant film, similar to Polaroid's SX-70 film. This was simple for Kodak, because Kodak had, in fact, manufactured film for Polaroid up to this point, thus they were privy to the manufacturing process. The Kodak film was chemically identical to the Polaroid version with the exception that the final print was viewed from the opposite side to the exposed surface. Polaroid brought a patent-infringement lawsuit against Kodak, and eventually Kodak was forced to stop manufacture of both the camera and film. Kodak was also left to pay a settlement to some customers who were left without a way to use their now-defunct cameras. (Many were offered $50 in Kodak stock). Kodak also lost the contract to manufacture Polaroid's film who now took production in house.

Customers were offered the chance to exchange such Kodak cameras (e.g., the EK160-EF), for one of the new Disc cameras. Although many did make the swap, some did not trust the new disc format, especially in light of the instant picture camera fiasco and held onto their cameras. There are still many thousands available and even in mint condition with all the original booklets, instructions and carrying case they are worth little, and certainly far less than their original 1970s selling price.