Kodak Pony 135 Model C

This little gem of a camera I got when I picked up a box of Kodak cameras. From a 126 Instamatic, to Brownies, and other various folders. I actually got two of these little babies. The thing is, only one works. The other camera only seems to work at 1/300s, while all the other speeds are frozen, which is too bad.
This is a fun camera to use, and goes by "Scale Focusing" where you set the focus distance on the front element ring, set your Aperture, shutter speed, cock the shutter, and release. Very simple operation, and very light in hand.

The simple design means that they could mass produce these cameras with very little cost involved. The Anaston 3-element coated lens is actually very sharp, and provides good colour rendering, and contrast. Wide-open it is quite soft, but is fairly sharp toward the center of the lens. At ƒ/8 the lens really comes into its element, pardon the pun, and is very sharp. The shutter operation is very simple, and is set by turning the ring behind the front lens element which sets the shutter speed from 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/300, or Bulb.  The flash connection is a Kodak off-camera SYNC connection with an adapter for a standard PC-connector, which is shown in these photos.  The left side of the camera holds the film cartridge, as well as the re-wind knob.  Beside the rewind is the Film Identification wheel, but the films listed on the wheel are long since discontinued, but have Kodachrome, Royal Pan-X, etc.  Located on the right side of the camera is the take up spool, film advance knob, film frame counter and indicator, and shutter release button.  When you take a photo, you cock the shutter, which is a lever located on the left side of the lens, above the flash sync connector, then press the shutter release when you have your photo composed and focused.  After taking the photo, you still cannot advance the film until, like on the Argus cameras, you press a lever, located on the back left, which allows you to advance to the next frame on the film.  This is not double exposure prevention, but prevents you from accidentally winding passed the next frame.  If you decide to, you can take as many photos as you'd like on the same frame just by re-cocking the shutter, and releasing it.

Once the film is finished, there is a tab beside the film advance switch, which you must hold in, and believe me it really sucks to hold it in, and rewind the film back into the canister.

Once the film is rewound, you slide down the locking lever on the right side of the camera, and the entire back comes off so you can remove the film canister or load a new one.

The camera itself is lightweight, and made almost entirely of Bakelite plastic, with some metal around the lens mount for stability.
The camera does have a very lovely Ever-Ready (I say Never-Ready) leather case, which is quite attractive, and gives the camera an even more "timey" feel to it.

"Chain Monkies" - Kodak Pony 135 C
Kodak Anaston 44mm ƒ/3.5
ORWO UN54+ 100ASA Film
Kodak HC-110 (B) - 11:00

Nonetheless, this is also a similar camera to the one they have talked about multiple times on the Film Photography Project, now cue Pony sound-byte.

So check them out! 


Quick Tech Specs;

Kodak Pony 135 Model C
Kodak Anaston 44mm ƒ/3.5 Triplet Lens
35mm Film Camera (Frame size 24x36mm)
Kodak Flash-300 Shutter.  1/25s - 1/300s +B
Scale Focusing Camera w/focusing as close as 2.5'

If you have one of these cameras, or another film camera, check out the Film Photography Project anyway, as they have film for that camera for sale, and have some of the best prices for Kodak Film! 
Heck, you can even buy a camera from them.

Whether it's 35mm, 110, 120, or even Instant!  They sell both the camera, and the film!
Check them out today!

Until next time, keep those shutters firing!