( 
)Testing an Instamatic
When you are listing your camera on eBay, check it over in a bright light for grime, cracks, scratched or dirty lenses, film or battery doors which are stuck or will not shut. Sadly, many Instamatics are good for parts only.
Check past sales to see what you might get as a final selling price.
Carefully note the correct spelling of IN·STA·MAT·IC because if you make a mistake, buyers may not find it.
There are 3 key checks for Instamatic cameras: shutter, battery, flash socket.
All Kodak Instamatics are different, and your model may not match the photos, but the general idea is the same.
Test the shutter
Push the Film Advance lever as far as it will go by sliding towards front of camera and allow it to return.
Some Instamatics have a winding knob instead of a lever.
Open back cover with latch button on side.
Inside the camera, slide tiny pin to right with thumb or
finger as shown below, then close back door.
Watch front of lens, press button on top, listen for
click and look for moving shutter behind lens.
Check Battery Box
Slide rib on battery door on bottom of camera.
Some cameras have a different type of battery door, or no batteries at all.
Check inside battery door for leaky old batteries, or white corrosion.
Check Flashcube Holder
The flashcube inserts into a cross-shaped socket on top of the camera.
Skip this step if your camera does not use a flashcube.
Remove any flashcube..
Look for a tiny black plastic prong inside each wing of the cross: see arrows below.
Note that Magicube sockets look different, but still have 4 prongs.
These prongs hold the flashcube in place. Note if any are missing.
It is important to check or list the condition of the shutter, battery, flashcube socket for any eBay Instamatic listing.
Remember to accurately state any problems in your listing.
Don't attempt to fix or clean a camera unless you are an expert.
Popular for 35 Years
Kodak Instamatics using easy loading 126 film cartridges were popular worldwide from 1963 to 1988.
Kodak sold over an estimated 100 million Instamatic cameras. Flashcubes and film sales were highly profitable for Kodak and other manufacturers.
Popular and Collectible Now
Even though Instamatics are common, and the film is no longer readily available, they have become very collectible. First because there is a nostalgia for the Instamatic era. For example May Pang's Beatles book Instamatic Karma .
But another reason for interest in these cameras is the interest in the art-camera movement, with low-fidelity cameras like the Holga, Diana and Lomo selling for high prices.
Finding Instamatics on eBay
Use this eBay search to find a 126-film Instamatic.
My favorite 126-film Instamatics on eBay are the 100, 104, 300, 304, the Hawkeye, the incomparable 500, and the X-15 and X-15F.
I find these to be the most solid, best priced, and most fun to use.
The deluxe Kodak Instamatic Reflex is a rare collectible. Be aware that you will seldom find one in perfect working order.
Finding Instamatics to Sell on eBay
If you are looking for Instamatics to sell on eBay, the fastest way to get an Instamatic is to ask your family and friends. Chances are someone has an Instamatic in a closet or drawer. Estate sales, thrift stores, old-time mom & pop camera stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army, tag sales, pawn shops, yard and garage sales, classified ads and flea markets are good sources too.
How Old is That Instamatic?
Many instamatics have a four alphabet character code stamped into the plastic inside the camera near the bottom edge.
This is the Kodak CAMEROSITY manufacturing date code. Always give the original code in your eBay listing. Here is how to translate it:
C=1 A=2 M=3 E=4 R=5 O=6 S=7 I=8 T=9 Y=0
So for instance a camera marked YROS had a 05-67 manufacturing date. Note that you will sometimes see CM or 13 for the month. This is because Kodak used the Cotsworth-Eastman 13-month calendar. But that's another story.
Marketing Your eBay Listing
It would be great to be able to title your listing "1964 KODAK INSTAMATIC 104 LIKE HOLGA DIANA LOMO". The last three words would certainly bring in hits. They might also get you a warning or worse from eBay for Brand Name Misuse or Keyword Spamming.
There are better ways to make your listing stand out.
As Mark Twain wrote:
Nothing is more satisfying to a buyer than to see a clear description of the good and the bad.
After all, what seems bad to you, for example a missing wrist strap, or a dirty lens, may be completely unimportant to the interested buyer. But the buyer will remember that you went to the trouble to accurately describe the item.
If there is an old film cartridge in the camera, you can remove it and show it in the listing photo. Remember to tell what type of film it is, for example, Fotomat 24 exp. C-41 process. Old film is popular because the cartridges can be reloaded with modern 135 film. And also because of the mystery pictures which may still be on the roll. Always mention if old film is included with the camera or not. Be sure to explain that buyers can easily learn how to reload the old 126 film cartridge with modern 35 millimeter film. Remind them to search the web for free instructions on reloading Instamatics.
Here's a big sales tip: manuals and boxes. Yep, that's right, many collectors like getting the original box, and even more importantly, the instruction manual. If you have the instructions, be sure to put the word manual in the listing title. You will be amazed how this will increase your sales price. If you do not have the manual, mention that many common Instamatic manuals are available for sale on eBay. Some can even be found by searching on the web, especially using eBay's own search and social network site StumbleUpon.
Which brings up an excellent way to get hits on your eBay listing. Be sure to bookmark your auction using eBay's StumbleUpon website. This is a huge traffic and sales booster.
Look out for common misspellings of In·sta·mat·ic such as:
Instamantic Instamitic Instamtic Instatmatic Instematic Instimatic Instmatic Instomatic
Don't forget to join various Internet photo groups and mailing lists about 126, and Instamatic cameras. Many will let you post your eBay listing.
Be sure join some photography, art and camera eBay Neighborhoods and eBay Groups and be sure to mention your listings.
Special thanks to my co-author Klaas Ottsar for his cheerful help and his lion's share of the work to create this eBay Guide.
Creative Commons attribution license Copyright 2008
When you are listing your camera on eBay, check it over in a bright light for grime, cracks, scratched or dirty lenses, film or battery doors which are stuck or will not shut. Sadly, many Instamatics are good for parts only.
Check past sales to see what you might get as a final selling price.
Carefully note the correct spelling of IN·STA·MAT·IC because if you make a mistake, buyers may not find it.
There are 3 key checks for Instamatic cameras: shutter, battery, flash socket.
All Kodak Instamatics are different, and your model may not match the photos, but the general idea is the same.
Test the shutter
Push the Film Advance lever as far as it will go by sliding towards front of camera and allow it to return.
Some Instamatics have a winding knob instead of a lever.
Open back cover with latch button on side.
Inside the camera, slide tiny pin to right with thumb or
finger as shown below, then close back door.
Watch front of lens, press button on top, listen for
click and look for moving shutter behind lens.
Check Battery Box
Slide rib on battery door on bottom of camera.
Some cameras have a different type of battery door, or no batteries at all.
Check inside battery door for leaky old batteries, or white corrosion.
Check Flashcube Holder
The flashcube inserts into a cross-shaped socket on top of the camera.
Skip this step if your camera does not use a flashcube.
Remove any flashcube..
Look for a tiny black plastic prong inside each wing of the cross: see arrows below.
Note that Magicube sockets look different, but still have 4 prongs.
These prongs hold the flashcube in place. Note if any are missing.
It is important to check or list the condition of the shutter, battery, flashcube socket for any eBay Instamatic listing.
Remember to accurately state any problems in your listing.
Don't attempt to fix or clean a camera unless you are an expert.
Popular for 35 Years
Kodak Instamatics using easy loading 126 film cartridges were popular worldwide from 1963 to 1988.
Kodak sold over an estimated 100 million Instamatic cameras. Flashcubes and film sales were highly profitable for Kodak and other manufacturers.
Popular and Collectible Now
Even though Instamatics are common, and the film is no longer readily available, they have become very collectible. First because there is a nostalgia for the Instamatic era. For example May Pang's Beatles book Instamatic Karma .
But another reason for interest in these cameras is the interest in the art-camera movement, with low-fidelity cameras like the Holga, Diana and Lomo selling for high prices.
Finding Instamatics on eBay
Use this eBay search to find a 126-film Instamatic.
My favorite 126-film Instamatics on eBay are the 100, 104, 300, 304, the Hawkeye, the incomparable 500, and the X-15 and X-15F.
I find these to be the most solid, best priced, and most fun to use.
The deluxe Kodak Instamatic Reflex is a rare collectible. Be aware that you will seldom find one in perfect working order.
Finding Instamatics to Sell on eBay
If you are looking for Instamatics to sell on eBay, the fastest way to get an Instamatic is to ask your family and friends. Chances are someone has an Instamatic in a closet or drawer. Estate sales, thrift stores, old-time mom & pop camera stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army, tag sales, pawn shops, yard and garage sales, classified ads and flea markets are good sources too.
How Old is That Instamatic?
Many instamatics have a four alphabet character code stamped into the plastic inside the camera near the bottom edge.
This is the Kodak CAMEROSITY manufacturing date code. Always give the original code in your eBay listing. Here is how to translate it:
C=1 A=2 M=3 E=4 R=5 O=6 S=7 I=8 T=9 Y=0
So for instance a camera marked YROS had a 05-67 manufacturing date. Note that you will sometimes see CM or 13 for the month. This is because Kodak used the Cotsworth-Eastman 13-month calendar. But that's another story.
Marketing Your eBay Listing
It would be great to be able to title your listing "1964 KODAK INSTAMATIC 104 LIKE HOLGA DIANA LOMO". The last three words would certainly bring in hits. They might also get you a warning or worse from eBay for Brand Name Misuse or Keyword Spamming.
There are better ways to make your listing stand out.
As Mark Twain wrote:
Always tell the truth. You will confound your enemies and astonish your friends.
Nothing is more satisfying to a buyer than to see a clear description of the good and the bad.
After all, what seems bad to you, for example a missing wrist strap, or a dirty lens, may be completely unimportant to the interested buyer. But the buyer will remember that you went to the trouble to accurately describe the item.
If there is an old film cartridge in the camera, you can remove it and show it in the listing photo. Remember to tell what type of film it is, for example, Fotomat 24 exp. C-41 process. Old film is popular because the cartridges can be reloaded with modern 135 film. And also because of the mystery pictures which may still be on the roll. Always mention if old film is included with the camera or not. Be sure to explain that buyers can easily learn how to reload the old 126 film cartridge with modern 35 millimeter film. Remind them to search the web for free instructions on reloading Instamatics.
Here's a big sales tip: manuals and boxes. Yep, that's right, many collectors like getting the original box, and even more importantly, the instruction manual. If you have the instructions, be sure to put the word manual in the listing title. You will be amazed how this will increase your sales price. If you do not have the manual, mention that many common Instamatic manuals are available for sale on eBay. Some can even be found by searching on the web, especially using eBay's own search and social network site StumbleUpon.
Which brings up an excellent way to get hits on your eBay listing. Be sure to bookmark your auction using eBay's StumbleUpon website. This is a huge traffic and sales booster.
Look out for common misspellings of In·sta·mat·ic such as:
Instamantic Instamitic Instamtic Instatmatic Instematic Instimatic Instmatic Instomatic
Don't forget to join various Internet photo groups and mailing lists about 126, and Instamatic cameras. Many will let you post your eBay listing.
Be sure join some photography, art and camera eBay Neighborhoods and eBay Groups and be sure to mention your listings.
Special thanks to my co-author Klaas Ottsar for his cheerful help and his lion's share of the work to create this eBay Guide.
Creative Commons attribution license Copyright 2008
Guide created: 08/16/08 (updated 08/24/09)
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