Where can I get 110 film?

[Deep13]

Yes, that's right, 110 Instamatic cartidge film. My grandfather gave me a bunch of old cameras including his father's Argus C-3 and a Kodak Instamatic 60. For those who do not know, "Instamatic" was the brand name for a series of point-and-shoot cameras. Most had no adjustments and were lit with either daylight or rotating flash cubes. The earlier models used a 126 cartidge that looked like a Flintstones car with no roof. There was a spool for the new film, a bridge where it would be exposed and an empty spool for the shot film. The whole thing was encased in a light-proof cartridge. The 110 was the same way except the cartridge was half as wide. In high school I use a Kodak Hawkeye 110. It was plastic with no adjustments and fit in a shirt pocket.

The model 60 is unique in that it had automatic aperture control which relied on an electric eye. It also has a slide focusing bar and a split-image rangefinder. There is also a tripod socket and a place to attach either a timer or a cable release. Consequently it can be substantially sharper than other instamatic models. Adorama still carries 110 film, but there's a hitch. It is ISO 400 only. The instruction for the model 60 say not to excede ASA 125. I figure I can probably get away with ISO 200 without overexposure. I would like to shoot a sample roll at least, though I so not see this relic replacing my current pocket camera, the Nikon Coolpix, anytime soon.

[JeffR]

1. Wish I could give you some clues

I still mourn the 110 pocket Instamatic. I still have a ton of slides + the pocket carousel projector (can't find a replacement bulb for it!!!). Definitely the Betamax of Kodak point'n'shoots: great quality, cheap as heck and pretty much doomed from the get-go.

Good luck with your quest, and thanks for the memories.

PS - it's worth trying a roll of 400 ISO in low-light conditions. The grain might be hellish, of course.

[Deep13]

2. I just realized I will need to reconstruct the discontinued battery too.

It takes a proprietary battery for the electric eye. It consists of a plastic case with three button-cell calculator batteries inside. One must carefully open the case and replace the three small batteries with three new ones soldered together in just the right way.

A test run is beginning to look unlikely.

[BrightKnight]

3. I believe that you can reload 110 cartridges w/ 16 mm film.

These folks might be able to help you --> http://www.subclub.org/sponsors/goathil4.htm

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The classic snapshot look might be fun to play with.

The grain would enhance the snapshot quality.

I would work with the grain. It can be very beautiful. Shoot in the early morning or in fog.

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You might experiment with cutting 120 film with a template. 120 film comes with a paper back that would probably work in a 110 camera.

[Ms. Toad]

4. Some suggestions

Try here:

http://www.frugalphotographer.com/cat110.htm
http://www.subclub.org/shop/110film.htm
http://www.on-line-shops.com/shop3x.php?shopid=02111201&cmd=search&category=Search+Results+for%3A&searchtext=Special+Offer

And sounds like you have a handle on the battery problem - but just in case, here:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/youngds/110Cameras/Kfactour/TheKFactour.htm

I have no personal experience with any of these - just did a quick Google search.