I was recently browsing the web looking for info on a particular Kodak camera that had just come into my possession. What I ended up finding, though, was a master list of all Kodak cameras, their market dates and original prices. Somehow, all my years of internet research regarding cameras had failed to provide me this document before now. Perhaps it’s because this data sheet was published in 1999, and I didn’t think to look for it back then. But thanks to the Wayback Machine Internet Archive I was able to find it 26 years later.
As I said, this document is an exhaustive list of every Kodak camera model, the years they were marketed, the film sized used, and the original prices. Basically, this is the Holy Grail of Kodak camera info. And even though this data appeared in html form on the old Kodak site, they also included a link to a PDF of the same info. And guess what? The link was still good.
Now I might be late to the party on this. Maybe this is known info and somehow I’ve just overlooked it for the past 1/4 century. In any case, I’ve not been able to find this info on the current Kodak site. So, in the spirit of sharing an historical document, I’m providing a link to the PDF file below. Enjoy!
History of Kodak Cameras (pdf)
Vintage Camera Digest 
Great stuff this pdf, thanks a lot.
Deservedly Kodak and Agfa dressed a mass popular production image, so I particularly enjoy to “discover” great performance cameras from these two manufacturers, among the infinite models they produced.
Nice designs, enginious mechanisms, very good performance lenses, even if the majority are mostly automatic compact cameras, the idea of wolf on sheep clothes is very appealing, to me.
My Retina IIIC, wonderful to hold, to carry, to shoot, always very good images, and with the original light meter, spot on. And all the amazing clever designed acessories… The Agfa Optima Sensor 1535, beautiful everyday pocket camera design, pleasing rangefinder, great contrast and image definition, the fully automatic exposure always right. The Agfa Selectronic S, the same on a even more pleasing camera, because its a aperture priority camera.
The next one on my wish list is the Agfa Super Isolette, but they are demanding a lot for them. And the truth is that I couldn’t be more happy with my Wester Autorol. Just last Friday I received the scans of the weekend photo walk with the Autorol and a Kodak Ektar roll and, what a lens. And the funny thing is that almost no one knows about these cameras.
Well, now, because of the pdf you kindly shared, I could dive in the Kodak models and search for some more pearls.
Best regards
Ricardo Anjos
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I hope you’ll find some hidden gems in this list. The “good” Kodak’s are really only identifiable by price – unless you already know what they are. Kodak’s production history is fascinating to me. Mostly consumer grade or lower. But occasionally a well-appointed camera – such as the mentioned Retina series (which probably marks their high point). Of course those were German-designed and built and feel like it. Then you have the Medalist and Chevron – functional but clunky, and proof that the US didn’t know how to design a camera.
And thanks to you I’m now looking at the Wester cameras. Count me in that list that were oblivious to their existence. Cheers!
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Wow, what a find! Thanks!
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I’ve reviewed cameras on the Internet for 18 years, and have done a ton of research into the various Kodaks I’ve owned — and I’ve never come across this document either. Thanks for sharing it!
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Glad I’m not the only one!
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Quite surprised at some of the prices. I have a Kodak Retina1a from my late father, although I cannot see it on the list. Maybe the 1a model was for European market only.
Very interesting all the same.
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Well heck….I should’ve known this was too good to be true. But you’re right – no Retina Ia on the list. The info I do have for that camera though is that it was on the market from 1951-54. Have no idea of the original price though.
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