Kodak Bantam Special (1936–1948)
A top-end 828 roll film rangefinder camera designed by Walter Dorwin Teague, produced from 1936 to 1948.
Overview
The Kodak Bantam Special is a rangefinder camera using 828 roll film, designed for high-end consumer photography during the pre-war and post-war periods. Manufactured by Eastman Kodak Co. and produced by Kodak Hawkeye Optical, it was the top-end model in Kodak's Bantam range. Designed by industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague, the camera features streamline moderne styling and a clam-shell body that makes it compact and pocketable when closed. It was produced from 1936 to 1948, with a production pause between 1941 and 1945 due to wartime constraints.
Specifications
| Film Type | 828 Roll Film (eight 28mm x 40mm exposures per roll) |
| Lens | Kodak Anastigmat Ektar f/2.0, 45mm focal length |
| Focus Type | Rangefinder |
| Focal Range | 3ft - ∞ |
| Shutter Type | Compur (1936–1940), Supermatic (1941–1948) |
| Shutter Speeds | T, B, 1 – 1/500 sec |
| Dimensions | 5" wide × 3" tall × 2" deep (lens closed); 4" deep (lens extended) |
| Weight | 1 pound |
Design
The Kodak Bantam Special features streamline moderne styling and was celebrated as one of Kodak's most beautiful Art Deco camera designs. Its clam-shell construction allows the lens to retract fully, making the camera truly pocketable. Two major variants exist: the Series I (1936–1940) with a Compur shutter, and the later model (1941–1948) equipped with a Supermatic shutter.
Context
Positioned as the flagship of Kodak’s Bantam line, the Bantam Special was a premium offering in its era,
Market
The Kodak Bantam Special is a sought-after collectible, typically commanding prices over $200, with values increasing based on condition. While original 828 film is obsolete, it remains usable today through custom-cut 35mm film services like those from Film for Classics.
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