Ansco 235 (1979)

A compact 35mm point-and-shoot camera with built-in flash, produced in 1979.

Overview

The Ansco 235 is a 35mm point-and-shoot viewfinder camera released in 1979. It's built simple: fixed-focus lens, built-in electronic flash, good for indoor or low-light snapshots. It was marketed as an affordable, ultra-compact flash film camera, and it came in versions with and without flash. You get a lens cover, a viewfinder, a picture counter, and an on/off switch for the flash. Users call it a "cheap focus-free" camera. It was meant for casual use, where easy operation and having a flash were the priorities.

Specifications

Film Format	35mm
Lens	Fixed focus f5.6 lens
Flash	Built-in flash
Dimensions	136x71x54 mm

Market

The Ansco 235 with flash originally sold for $7.00 in 1979. In 2015, it was estimated to be worth $5.00 in good condition. Current listings for untested or used units range from $10.99 to $75. Expect external wear, as with any vintage piece. A user manual is available through archival sources.