The Handle, by Kodak

I picked this one up a couple years back only because I used to have one in the 1970's and no longer had my original camera.

This is a Polaroid instant picture of my Kodak Handle instant film camera. It's my second Handle.

In 1977, I purchased a Kodak Handle instant camera to take on a vacation. I no longer have my original one, so 5 or 6 years back, I found another one in the local antique store and got it. There happened to be film in the camera and I always wondered if it could still be used. It didn't have a battery, so I couldn't test it to see. Well, a couple years back, I found a third Kodak Handle and this one had a battery. Today, I took the battery from the third one and placed it in my second one and shot with it. Turns out there was only one picture left in it, but I cranked it out and it came out totally white. I put it down on the coffee table and, not knowing there were no more pictures left to take in that pack, went outside to try and take a second one. When I came back in, there was this picture, developed like they used to develop right before your eyes. I think the film had probably been exposed and it was 40 years old, so it didn't have much of a chance at making a good picture. But I did get an exposed image out it! Camera: The Handle, by Kodak Film: Kodak PR144-10 ISO: 160 Date: May 12th, 2015 Location: Norris City, Illinois, U.S.A. Kodak Handle No. 2 01ef

This historical marker details about the man who founded Eldorado, Illinois. It was almost impossible to get to use this camera. Film is no longer made for it by anyone and nobody even makes the special "J" battery it takes. But I said almost impossible. I happened to have an old, empty instant film cartridge these used and was able to put some cut-down 120 film into it and get it to work. The things we photographers have to do sometimes! Camera: Kodak Handle No. 2 Film: Holga 400 B&W, cut down 120 (expired 02/2018) Date: May 2nd, 2023, 1.15 p.m. Location: Eldorado, Illinois, U.S.A. Developing chemicals at 68 degrees F Adox Adonal – 11 minutes (1:50 – 2 tsps. of Adonal and 500 ml. of water) Water rinse – 1 minute (to keep the chemicals clean) Ilford Ilfostop stopbath - 1 minute Water rinse - 1 minute Kodak Kodafix fixer - 9 minute Water rinse – 1 minute Handle-2 Holga 400 2023 01ef