Kodak EK4 Instant Camera

Kodak EK4 Instant Camera

Kodak EK4 Instant Camera and Kodak EK4 Instant Camera are not known names these days but these old cams has a colorful history and a sad ending. After seen how successfully Polaroid cameras, Kodak had decided to try tapping into instant camera market. But those days in early 70s no body else was trying to complete with Polaroid. 

In 1976 they released this Kodak EK4 Instant Camera and after a little while there was another model related with much improved features. It's called Kodak EK6. These cameras had become a overnight hit among consumers. Kodak was able to take over 30% market share from Polaroid just in few months. Polaroid was not pleased with this at all.

Kodak was far more better company than Polaroid when it comes to cameras. So this new instant cameras were so much better than what Polaroid had to offer in same period of time. Polaroid realized this would become a massive disaster for their future. Also Kodak had made one very costly mistake.

Polaroid has sued Kodak over patent-infringement and after a decade long legal battle Kodak had to pay about 900 million usd has damages. Financially this didn't help much Polaroid either. Also it was technically blow for Instant camera market since only competitor was driven out of business.

Kodak instant cameras were much more batter than their completion those days. Polaroid was managed poorly and they didn't make any significant improvements to their Polaroid cameras. Once digital cameras hit the market only few who had any interest in buy these instant camera. Polaroid it self had to file bankruptcy in 2001.

Today there are plenty of better quality instant cams in market. Fujifilm Instax cameras have been around for decades and they are keep improving photo quality. Polaroid has moved to make Instant digital cameras. There are plenty of cheap Polaroid camera models out there in market today.

If you want a cheap instant camera for less than $100 then check Instax Mini 8, Instax Mini 9, Polaroid Snap  and Instax Wide 300 cameras. There is a really cute Instax Model for girls which is called Instax Mini Hello Kitty.