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3106.photography

Created 24 May 2009 ... Updated 24 May 2009



Kodak 66 Model II

Kodak 66 Model II Kodak was reknown for building cheap, basic cameras in order to increase there film sales under the motto "a camera for everyone". The Kodak 66 Model II seems to be one of those.

Built in the late 1950s using technology from the 1920s the 66 Model II seems to be old fashioned and way too late to have been of any use. However, these cameras are easy to find on the used market so many must have been produced and to be honest, they are not bad at all, just a little old fashioned for a 1950s camera. It might actually have been Kodak's answer to the highly successful Agfa Isolette serie, produced until the mid-1950s.

It also seems to have been one of the cameras Kodak used to get back into the market for 120 roll film. As you might know, they tried to confuse people by pushing a new, patented, film, type 620 into the market. The actual film size was the same as 120 type film, but the spools were narrower so that 120 type spools would not fit cameras made for 620 type film. And since Kodak was the only manufacturor of 620 type film, well, a pretty clever move were it not for the millions of 120 -type cameras out there. 60 20 type film just arrived 10 years too late and did not make it in the end.

The 66 was a basic little folding camera, easy to use and small enough to take with you whereever you went. Even though many people has moved on to 35mm film, some people stayed with the larger negatives that 120 type film gave them. The camera may still be used today, inexpensive but small, light weight and it truly gives you 6x6 negatives. Neat!

Specifications
Manufacturor  :  Kodak
Model  :  Kodak 66 Model II
Type  :  Folding camera for 120 roll film
Produced  :  1958 - 1960
K.D. Müller Reference  :  O 68069
Film  :  120 roll film
Picture size  :  6 x 6 cm
Made in  :  England
Quantity Made  : 
Original List Price  : 
Material  :  Partly metal frame, light-gray plastic top cover and black body covers
Lens  :  75mm Anaston f6.3 Mount 320 Kodak London
Filter size  :  no filter thread
Focusing  :  manual by turning front lens element
Focus range  :  3 ft - infinity
Depth of view scale is engraved on a ring on the shutter assembly.
Viewfinder  :  small peep hole
Shutter  :  German made Vario Shutter. Bulb, 1/25, 1/75 and 1/200 sec
Aperture  :  f 6.7 - 22
Self timer  :  none
Exposure  :  Fully manual.
Exposure meter  :  none
Battery  :  none
Flash  :  PC Sync connector on shuter assembly
Flash Contact  :  PC sync.
Film Advance  :  manual
Other  :  Open the camera by pushing the mtal buttn on the top cover next to the view finder.

When operating the camera, you'll first have to cock the shutter by means of the cocking lever on top of the shutter assembly. You'll see the lever through the view finder when it's not cocked. When you then push the red button you trip the shutter.

The red button does not return to it's position unless you push the lever on the bottom right next to the lens assembly. Not sure if this is a feature or my camera has a lame spring but it somehow looks like it's supposed to work like this.

Winding via the winding knob on the top cover and by using the red window on the back.
Dimensions  :  140 x 35 x 105mm (closed), 140 x 105 x 105mm (opened) (l x w x h)
Weight  : 
Body serial number  :  18273 ("FEH3" in film compartment)
Collection status  :  to be sold
Kodak 66 Model II

All photos copyright of M. Koning 1997 - 2009

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