A 1957 slide from a Kodak Bantam Colorsnap camera copied with 2026 technology

828 film copied using Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 105 mm macro lens
Raw image processed in Adobe Lightroom Classic

Following up my last article on the 3D-printed slide copier for the Nikon Z8 with 105 mm macro lens, I tested it with random slides I had already scanned in the past using the Nikon Coolscan IV. Amongst those I pulled out at random was this one taken in 1957 from the first 35 mm size camera I had—the first model of the Kodak Bantam Colorsnap introduced in 1955.

I was struck not only by the resolution of the copy but by the image that cheap camera produced. While I would expect some improvement from the Coolscan IV scans (the Coolscan V had higher resolution) the image shows that the Cooke triplet Anaston lens in the camera was no mean performer.

The Bantam Colorsnap used 828 size Kodachrome film. That was a roll film containing 35 mm film stock without the perforations used in a 35 mm camera. There were only 8 exposures per reel.

Kodak were pretty brave in bringing out the Colorsnap. The film was only rated at ASA (ISO) 12 at that time and exposure calculated from a simple dial on the back of the camera. With the films low latitude it seems miraculous with hindsight that all 8 shots on my first film were properly exposed.

828 slides can be distinguished from those taken with a 35 mm camera because they are slightly larger (40 x 28 mm). In UK the price of a roll included processing at Kodak’s plant in Hemel Hempstead. Slides came back in 2 x 2 inch card mounts.

This first model of the Bantam Colorsnap was made in UK by Kodak. In 1959 it was replaced by the mark II version and in 1961 by the mark III. Production of these 828 film cameras ceased in 1963 in favour of 35 mm film versions.

The UK  launch price of the Bantam Colorsnap, as the advert from Punch shows, was £11-18-6. That included the iniquitous levels of purchase tax then imposed. Any body thinking that sounds cheap even for a camera with a triplet lens, a simple shutter and no other frills then it is worth noting that when inflation is taken into account the price in 2026 would be around £320, considerably more than I paid recently for an all-singing, all-dancing DJI Osmo Pocket 3.