Kodak Bantam
A compact 828 rollfilm camera made by Eastman Kodak Company, sold with f/4.5 and f/5.6 apertures.
Overview
The Kodak Bantam is a series of compact cameras made by Eastman Kodak Company. The Kodak Bantam 4.5 was in production from 1938 to 1948. These cameras use 828 rollfilm, a paper-backed, unperforated film made for Kodak's smaller-format cameras. There are several variants: the Kodak Bantam f/5.6, the Kodak Bantam 4.5, the Kodak Flash Bantam, and the later Kodak Bantam RF. Most models have no rangefinder and rely on scale focusing.
Specifications
| Film format | 828 rollfilm |
| Production years | 1938–1948 (Kodak Bantam 4.5) |
| Shutter speeds | T, B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200 seconds |
| Lens | Kodak Anastigmat Special Lens f/4.5 |
| Focusing scale | 3 feet to infinity, marked at 22, 3, 32, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 25, 50 feet and INF |
| Original price | $40 (Kodak Bantam 4.5, 1938) |
Design
The Kodak Bantam 4.5 has a compact body with the shutter release on the front. You have to arm the shutter by hand. There is no rangefinder, so you set focus by scale. It was built to be small and simple for amateur photographers.
Context
Kodak introduced the Bantam line in 1938 with the f/5.6 and f/4.5 models available at the same time. The f/5.6 version retailed for $14. The f/4.5 model cost $40, which reflects its higher-end optics.
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