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What’s old is new and comes back often, or at least it’s a common trend across many traditional fashions and products. As an example, old-fashioned movie cameras are gaining popularity, even among younger audiences. Depending on who you ask, these devices can capture an authentic, lived-in feel that modern digital cameras apparently can’t, and millennials and Gen Z are turning toward analog and away from today’s data-driven technologies. This trend and continued low prices are part of the reason why one of the most popular Kodak cameras of the 1960s is seeing a resurgence in deals on various portals.
Namely, the Kodak Instamatic series from 1963 and beyond is available very cheaply on eBay with many listings under $10. The Instamatic series was a line of compact cameras that used 110 and 126 format film cartridges (the numbers come from the numbering system used in Kodak catalogs of the time). The idea, and the basis of the Instamatic name, was that the camera was easy to use and the cartridges were very simple to swap and replace. It also introduced low-cost photography to an entire generation and spawned a host of imitators and competition.
As for why it’s so cheap compared to other well-known retro models, it’s because the market has effectively been flooded with them. By 1970, Kodak had sold more than 50 million cameras in this series. Over 70 million examples were sold by the end of production in 1999. Needless to say, the low barrier to entry and large quantity available means there are still a ton left today, keeping prices low in the secondary vintage market.
They may be cheap, but are they worth it?
Very cheap is a good place to start, but it’s not always an indication of a good product, especially when you have modern options that are just as accessible, if not more so. The feature set is going to be difficult to generalize since the Instamatic series covers a multitude of models, and each has distinct specifications and film requirements.
The Kodak Instamatic 100, for example, uses 126-format film cartridges and has a 43-millimeter f/11 lens, while also requiring two AAA batteries for the flash. Compare that with the Kodak Pocket Instamatic 20, which takes 110-format film and has a 25-millimeter f/9.5 lens with no built-in flash. Film cartridges are still available at some outlets, with some retailers like B&H Photo offering a variety of 110 options, among other formats. Additionally, you can have the film developed at places like CVS, Walmart Photo, and various local and independent photography stores.
As for the last question of whether it’s all worth it, that’s subjective. Some reviewers have had success with the Instamatic 100 or Instamatic 33. Some of the shots they’ve shared are beautiful. If you want a more authentic, nostalgic photography experience that produces beautiful photos, the Instamatic is a solution. You have other options, too, because there are certainly plenty of older compact cameras that are still worth buying, even in 2026. There are also plenty of clever uses for older cameras like the Kodak Instamatic. You can use it for experimental photography, stylized prints, craft projects, or even just for decorating your home. There may not be a definitive answer to the question, but there’s always a way to find out…and there’s not much to lose by trying.
