Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In 1976, Kodak tried to challenge rival Polaroid's dominance of the instant photography market by releasing its own line of instant film and cameras. Designed to skirt as many of Polaroid's patents as possible, Kodak instant cameras integrated a number of unique features, such as rear-exposed film and hand-cranked film ejection. While these products were initially successful, Kodak was swiftly sued by Polaroid for patent infringement and ultimately lost, forcing it to end production of its instant cameras after only 10 years.

Thanks, as always, to Julian Horn for his assistance in researching this video.


Polaroid Video Series:
Part I: youtube.com/watch?v=AVZA-4saKt0
Part II: youtube.com/watch?v=rCcJIVoqYbg
Part III: youtube.com/watch?v=f6LaqckayBo

Camera Flashes Video: youtube.com/watch?v=5XRA84_1K5M

0:00 Intro
01:56 Polaroid vs. Kodak Film Chemistry
5:54 Polaroid vs. Kodak Camera Design
7:12 Kodak EK-2 "The Handle" Features and Function
9:12 Kodak Instant Film Specs
10:06 Kodak ColorBurst 50 Features and Function
11:54 The Kodak-Polaroid (and Fujifilm) Lawsuit
14:25 Outro

SOURCES:

mikeeckman.com/2021/01/kodak-colorburst-100-1978
kodak.3106.net/index.php?p=201
camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kodak_Instant
library.torontomu.ca/asc/2013/08/kodak-versus-polaroid-the-battle-for-instant-photography-2
blog.jimgrey.net/2013/07/24/remembering-kodak-instant-photography
nikonweb.com/ek2
lomography.com/magazine/140518-the-lost-instant-camera-kodaks-champ-kodamatic
vintagecameralab.com/kodak-handle
vintagecameralab.com/kodak-colorburst-100