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Choose a model to see more information about it. Clicking on a film type will bring you to the specific page for that type.

100 Series

Model 100

Model 101

Model 102

Model 103

Model 104

Model 125

Model 135

Packfilm Cameras

The following technical information is useful for specifics concerning each model. Where appropriate you can click to see more information including photos.

All of these models can take both the rectangular 100/660 type films as well as the square 80 type films.

Please see this chart to give you a visual comparison between the major "options" and abilities of each packfilm model.

If you see this icon, the model was intended for "Special Markets" distribution (i.e. corporate premiums, prizes, and other non-retail distribution) only.


If you see this icon, the model was sold in International (non-USA) markets only.

Production Estimates provided are based on statistical observation (from accumulated reports of serial numbers recorded from actual cameras), and are not intended or expected to have perfect accuracy. Numbers in parentheses indicate "soft" limits, numbers not in parentheses indicate "hard" limits.

Example: Estimated Production: 800,000 - (900,000)

This means that there almost certainly has to have been at least 800,000 of that model made, but there probably were fewer than 900,000 made (but beware that there still could be more). Keep in mind that numbers are subject to change as new data is collected.

100-series models

ALL Folding Pack Cameras (original style) have the following features in common:

  • Pull-out front standard with scissor strut design
  • Removable hinged plastic cover protects entire front of camera when camera is not in use.
  • Unit focus; focus is controlled by pushing on either side of a sliding arm located near the base of the bellows struts.
  • Shutter must be manually cocked; shutter release is on top of camera body.
  • Has PC socket for flash; flashgun is clipped to the top of the camera.

Model 100
"Automatic 100"

Produced: 1963-1966 / Original Retail: $164.95
Estimated Production: Pattern Not Completely Determined (over 1,200,000)

  • Lens: 114mm f/8.8 3-element glass
  • Shutter: Electronic; 10 seconds - 1/1200
  • Separate window view/rangefinder assembly (has a hinged base-- flips up for use and is held in place with a magnetic catch-- folds down for storage and fits inside the camera's plastic cover)
  • Viewfinder has projected framelines and automatic parallax compensation.
  • Aperture-priority automatic exposure only
  • Has settings for film speeds of 75, 150, 300, and 3000 ASA.
  • Has "Scene Selector" switch which gives choice of two different aperture settings for each film speed setting; lens can be used at full aperture with 3000 ASA film.
  • Has exposure compensation dial with range of -1/+2 stops ("Lighten/Darken" control).
  • Has metal body and metal shutter/lens housing; has tripod socket
  • Leather carrying strap

Important Firsts: First electronic shutter in a mass-produced camera, first Polaroid pack-film camera.

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Model 101
"Automatic 101"

Produced: 1964-1967 / Original Retail: $134.95
Estimated Production: 235,000 - (350,000)

Similar to Model 100, except:

  • Only has settings for films speeds of 75 and 3000 ASA.
  • Lacks "Scene Selector"; lens aperture at 3000 ASA is fixed at f/42.
  • Has a nylon neckstrap

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Model 102
"Automatic 102"

Produced: 1964-1967 / Original Retail: $79.09
Estimated Production: Insufficient Data (over 16,000)

Similar to Model 101, except:

  • Has leather neckstrap (as in Model 100)

Collector's Note: Uncommon; appears to be even less common than most other Special Markets packfilm models. In addition, it appears that this camera may have been originally offered with a white genuine leather case that I've never seen accompanied with other pack camera models.

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Model 103
"Automatic 103"

Produced: 1965-1967 / Original Retail: $89.95
Estimated Production: 650,000 - (800,000)

Similar to Model 101, except:

  • Film speed selector is on top of shutter housing
  • Has plastic body and plastic shutter/lens housing; no tripod socket.
  • Has nylon neckstrap

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Model 104
"Automatic 104"

Produced: 1965-1967 / Original Retail: $59.95
Estimated Production: 1,250,000 - (1,400,000)

Similar to Model 103, except:

  • Lens: 114mm f/8.8 2-element plastic
  • Has simpler, rigid viewfinder with "image sizer" distance estimator instead of rangefinder. A manual focus scale is also visible in the finder. Finder has projected framelines and automatic parallax compensation.

Note: The distance estimator device featured on this and a few other low-end folding pack cameras is not a true rangefinder, but can be used as a focusing aid for portrait work. Superimposed in the viewfinder are two horizontal lines. One of these lines shifts up and down as the camera is focused, while the other remains stationary. The photographer is supposed to adjust the focus so that the subject's head fits just between the two lines. [This, of course, assumes that the subject is an adult human.] The non-stationary line in the finder also has a pointer at one end which indicates the focus distance (in feet) along a scale.

Collector's Note: Very common.

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Model 125
"Automatic 125"

Produced: 1965-1967 / Original Retail: $69.95
Estimated Production: Insufficient Data (over 65,000)

Similar to Model 104.

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Model 135
"Automatic 135"

Produced: 1965-1967 / Original Retail: $89.95
Estimated Production: Insufficient Data

Similar to Model 103.