I love my Instamatic 500! Here’s my system: (1) Clip the little pin (like snip off permanently with pliers) inside the camera that detects the sprocket holes. That allows the camera to wind and fire continuously. (2) Hand roll an entire 36 exp roll into a real Kodak 126 cartridge, no backing paper. (Takes practice, and MUST tape over back of camera with black tape like in this video.) (3) After each shot burn one shot with hand covering lens. I get about 23 shots per roll with spacing that varies. Cheers!!
Certainly MY favorite 126 camera. I also have an Instamatic Reflex, and while it's cool to have interchangeable lenses and SLR focus, i have to futz with ND filters and such to get the meter to read right. Instamatic 500 has a huge advantage being fully manual. I put a Telex rangefinder in the shoe and its basically a Retina-class camera in 126 format.
The meter uses a lever to check the iso of the cartridge, via a notch in the cartridge, so you probably need to make sure you’ve 100asa film in your cartridge, very early dx coding system
I really don't see why, in the era of Instagram and square format social media apps, no 126 film is being developed. It's mind-boggling and perplexing, and I feel like the dumbest man in the room because I cannot comprehend it.
The machines that manufacture this film have most likely been scrapped ages ago. Some options at the FPP - filmphotographystore.com/collections/126-film
@@FilmPhotographyProjectFerrania saved machines for it, we need to convince them. Even if they could just do 100 foot bulk film with the right perfs, or sell the injection molded parts for the cartridge. Got some rolls of your perforated film, can’t wait to get shooting with my GAF 726. It has full manual control! I have an instamatic 500 somewhere I’ll,have to try it.
I love my Instamatic 500! Here’s my system: (1) Clip the little pin (like snip off permanently with pliers) inside the camera that detects the sprocket holes. That allows the camera to wind and fire continuously. (2) Hand roll an entire 36 exp roll into a real Kodak 126 cartridge, no backing paper. (Takes practice, and MUST tape over back of camera with black tape like in this video.) (3) After each shot burn one shot with hand covering lens. I get about 23 shots per roll with spacing that varies. Cheers!!
Will be trying mine again once I fix back latch issue. Love the weight and size of this camera.
Certainly MY favorite 126 camera. I also have an Instamatic Reflex, and while it's cool to have interchangeable lenses and SLR focus, i have to futz with ND filters and such to get the meter to read right. Instamatic 500 has a huge advantage being fully manual. I put a Telex rangefinder in the shoe and its basically a Retina-class camera in 126 format.
That's a good looking camera.
The meter uses a lever to check the iso of the cartridge, via a notch in the cartridge, so you probably need to make sure you’ve 100asa film in your cartridge, very early dx coding system
Doh! Forgot to mention that meter only accurate with 100 iso film. - Mike
I have one. It’s a beautiful camera and is the best of the Instamatics!
that shutter came close to being pornographic, man, what a camera
Bravo, Mike! Bravo👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
It's a great camera. My dad had one, which I have now.
The Leica of 126 ❤
Just to confirm Mike -- this does work with the 35mm perfs? No crunching/tearing or gnashing of teeth???? Cheers!!!
Other than leaving a space between frames - works beautifully with 35mm.
@@FilmPhotographyProject -- Thanks! But of course now since you have endorsed this model -- the price will soar to thousands!!!!!! 😁
What is a good used price for this camera?
I found my mine for $12 at a local thrift store. My back door latch is broken currently; need to fix that so I can use my Fakmatic!
Can be found for under $75. on eBay.
I really don't see why, in the era of Instagram and square format social media apps, no 126 film is being developed. It's mind-boggling and perplexing, and I feel like the dumbest man in the room because I cannot comprehend it.
The machines that manufacture this film have most likely been scrapped ages ago. Some options at the FPP - filmphotographystore.com/collections/126-film
@@FilmPhotographyProjectFerrania saved machines for it, we need to convince them. Even if they could just do 100 foot bulk film with the right perfs, or sell the injection molded parts for the cartridge. Got some rolls of your perforated film, can’t wait to get shooting with my GAF 726. It has full manual control! I have an instamatic 500 somewhere I’ll,have to try it.