Kodak Disc 4100 (1984–1987)

A point-and-shoot film camera that used Kodak's short-lived disc film format. It came out of an ambitious push to simplify consumer photography, and the push failed.

Overview

The Kodak Disc 4100 is a compact point-and-shoot film camera made by Kodak from 1984 to 1987. It uses the proprietary disc film format, specifically VR Disc film, which rotates in a flat cartridge to expose 8 x 10 mm images per disc. The lens is a fixed 12.5mm f/2.8 Ashperic. Shutter speeds are 1/100 and 1/200 second. The body is mostly molded plastic. A fold-down front cover protects the lens and viewfinder, and it also works as a shutter interlock, so the camera can't fire when the cover is closed. According to collector sources, this model was also released as a special edition called the Medalist I.

Specifications

Film Format	Disc film (VR Disc)
Lens	12.5mm, f/2.8 Ashperic
Shutter Speeds	1/100, 1/200 second
Image Size	8 x 10 mm
Dimensions	W118 x H80 x D30mm (4.2 x 2.1 x 1.3 in)
Construction	Mainly molded plastic
Original Price	$66.00 (USD)

Design

A sliding fold-down cover protects the lens and viewfinder. It doubles as a shutter interlock and prevents exposure when closed. The body is mostly molded plastic, which kept it light and cheap to build, as you'd expect for a mass-market snapshot camera.

Context

The Kodak Disc 4100 was also published as a special issue under the name Medalist I, a variant within Kodak's disc camera lineup. It belonged to Kodak's broader disc film system, introduced in the 1980s. The system was an innovative attempt to modernize consumer photography with smaller, more convenient film cartridges, and it was not a commercial success.

Market

Contemporary user accounts are mixed. Some show collector appreciation, and others criticize the poor image quality that comes from the small negative size. The Disc 4100 has gained niche interest among vintage camera collectors. One source notes, “Great For Collectors,” which suggests its current value lies more in historical curiosity than photographic performance.