Kodak Bantam
A compact 828 rollfilm camera produced by Eastman Kodak Company, available in multiple aperture variants including f/4.5 and f/5.6.
Overview
The Kodak Bantam is a series of compact cameras made by Eastman Kodak Company, with production of the Kodak Bantam 4.5 model spanning from 1938 to 1948. These cameras use 828 rollfilm, a paper-backed, unperforated film format designed for Kodak's smaller-format cameras. Multiple variants exist, including the Kodak Bantam f/5.6, the Kodak Bantam 4.5, the Kodak Flash Bantam, and the later Kodak Bantam RF. The Bantam lacks a rangefinder in most models, relying 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 features a compact body with a shutter release on the front that must be manually armed. It has no rangefinder, using a scale-focus system instead. The design emphasizes portability and simplicity for amateur photographers.
Context
The Kodak Bantam line was introduced in 1938 with both f/5.6 and f/4.5 aperture models available simultaneously. The f/5.6 version retailed for $14, while the f/4.5 model was priced at $40, reflecting its higher-end optics.
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