The Kodak Handle was produced during Kodak’s brief and ultimately doomed attempt at instant film. Polaroid took Kodak to court for patent infringement in 1981 in spite of some crucial differences in Kodak’s approach to instant film and instant cameras and eventually Polaroid won. Defeated, Kodak was ordered to cease production of all instant film and related products (including the Handle) as well as pay Polaroid $925 million and that was on top of reimbursing customers that had purchased that line of cameras. Both companies have faded into the background.
Although the Handle’s exposure is automatically controlled via an electric eye located above the lens, there’s still a rudimentary exposure compensation dial on the front barrel. Also on the front of the barrel is a battery test button located in the corner which activates a red light on the top of the nose. Just behind the battery test light is a socket for flash bulbs and on the side of the barrel is the blue shutter release button for the electronic shutter. After making an exposure, a black winder that folds out of the side is used to press the frame between two rollers starting the developing proses. This action also advanced you to the next frame, a pleasantly mechanical feature to an otherwise electronic camera. The camera used Kodak PR-10/PR-144 cartridge plus Spectra film and Size J 7K67-BPK J type/4LR61 six volt alkaline battery still being sold for home medical equipment. The camera sold for about $40.00 when new in 1977 and could be fitted with a Kodak Instant Flash Model A attachment. Other features are a 100mm f/12.7 lens, eye level optical viewfinder, print number view window in the back cover, and 2 second to 1/300 of a second shutter speeds. A version was also sold as the Kodak Happy Times (Coca-Cola) Camera with face plate, name plate, and coloring to promote Coca-Cola.