The Joy of Shooting with 1965 Kodak Instamatic 104

Kodak Instamatic 104. I picked up this charming little camera when I was still in high school, and since that time, it had been quietly sleeping in a dusty box at my parents’ house, tucked away from the world. My day job and a general lack of sustained interest in photography during those formative years kept it tucked away and forgotten in the corner of the attic. However, everything changed dramatically when I finally stumbled upon a few rolls of expired 126 cartridge film at a fascinating flea market. This serendipitous find took me on a delightful and nostalgic ride down memory lane, evoking vivid recollections of the past. The Kodak Instamatic 104 is an incredibly simple point-and-shoot camera that uses film preloaded in convenient drop-in plastic cartridges, offering either 12, 20, or 24 exposures to choose from. I specifically had the 24 exposure Polaroid HD 200, which, to my dismay, had unfortunately expired back in 1996. Taking a break from the overwhelming need to concentrate on meticulous details such as white balance, custom function buttons, TTL flash, focus areas, and the navigation of endless, complex camera menus turned out to be a remarkably purifying and refreshing experience. The results that emerged came out surprisingly interesting to look at, adorned with those unexpected twists and distinctive qualities that wonderfully set any great photo apart from the rest, creating a unique storytelling experience through images.