Kodak Pony 828/135 (1949–1959)
The Kodak Pony is really a family of six cameras rather than a single model, spanning a full decade of production from 1949 to 1959. The name covers a series of simple, no-frills viewfinder cameras that began with the Pony 828 and evolved through several 135 (35mm) versions, ending with the Pony 135 Model C. The original Pony 828 was the first of the line and also holds the distinction of being Kodak's last 828-format camera sold in the US. It used the same film stock as standard 35mm but without sprocket holes, wrapped in paper backing like roll film.
The Pony 828 is the better-documented of the early models: an Anaston 51mm f/4.5 triplet lens mounted in a collapsible barrel, paired with a four-speed Flash 200 shutter. The body was bakelite with scale focusing and a simple eye-level viewfinder, plus a film reminder dial on the top plate. It sold new for $30 — roughly $256 in 2007 dollars. 828 film is no longer manufactured, though some suppliers still carry it and enthusiasts have been known to modify 120 film for use in these cameras.
The later 135 models stepped up to standard 35mm film. The Pony 135 Model B (1953–55) carried the same Anaston 51mm f/4.5 lens — a Cooke triplet design that was a serious step up from the meniscus lenses in Kodak's Brownie line. The Model C (1955–58) was the last and best of the series, upgrading to a faster Kodak Anaston 44mm f/3.5 lens and a Kodak Flash 300 shutter with a 1/300 top speed and improved flash sync. Its aperture scale was marked both with f-numbers and with weather conditions for Kodachrome and Ektachrome — a thoughtful touch for the casual shooter. The body was red/brown bakelite and aluminum, measuring 130 x 85 x 33mm. Down the Road (a photography blog) called the Model C "the best of the Pony line, and a surprisingly good performer."
There's some naming inconsistency across sources — the Model B is occasionally listed with a 44mm f/4.5 lens rather than the 51mm f/4.5, and I've flagged that conflict rather than guess. The Model C's specs are the most consistently documented across multiple sources. What's clear is that these were honest, capable, good-enough cameras — not glamorous, but solidly built and dependable. The Model C is generally regarded as the finest expression of the concept.
Known specs by model:
- Pony 828 (1949–): 828 format; Anaston 51mm f/4.5 triplet; four-speed Flash 200 shutter; collapsible lens mount; bakelite body; scale focusing; film reminder dial; $30 new
- Pony 135 Model B (1953–55): 35mm; Anaston 51mm f/4.5 lens (one source says 44mm — unresolved); black and silver finish
- Pony 135 Model C (1955–58): 35mm, 36x24mm; Kodak Anaston 44mm f/3.5; Kodak Flash 300 shutter, 1/25–1/300s; rigid mount; bakelite/aluminum body; 130 x 85 x 33mm
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