Kodak Printomatic Video Manual: Overview, Operation, How to Take a Photo, Double Exposures
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2024
- Probably the most fun digital camera I've used the Kodak Printomatic feels like a true return to Kodak's roots in accessible, consumer photography for everyone. It's no harder to use than a 100-year-old Brownie box camera yet it takes far better photos and prints them on the spot. Not without some weaknesses, however, like battery life and the printer that always runs even without paper, the Kodak Printomatic is nonetheless a light, packable, and easily learned camera for recording and sharing memories.
Video Index:
0:00 - Intro
0:15 - Skip the Intro
0:24 - Kodak Printomatic Overview
5:47 - Kodak Printomatic Features -- Top
6:13 - Kodak Printomatic Features -- Front
7:32 - Kodak Printomatic Features -- Back
9:35 - Kodak Printomatic Features -- Bottom
10:27 - Kodak Printomatic Features -- Inside
10:54 - How to Charge the Kodak Printomatic’s Battery
11:56 - Loading Zink Paper in the Kodak Printomatic
16:00 - Using the Kodak Printomatic’s Flash
16:37 - How to Take a Photo with the Kodak Printomatic
17:14 - Double Exposures with the Kodak Printomatic
19:06 - How to Improve your Kodak Printomatic
24:39 - Notes on the Kodak Printomatic
28:31 - Things NOT to do with your Kodak Printomatic
29:35 - Like this Video and Subscribe to the David Hancock Channel
Review Video:
• Kodak Printomatic Came...
References:
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www.kodakphotoplus.com/pages/...
www.digitaltrends.com/photogr...
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What a great review, thanks. Love the idea of the step down and filters, really makes this an even more fun camera.
:D
Great manual! I learned a lot!
Thank you!
Excellent review and tutorial! you even add more to the product!!! :D
Thank you!
Thanks for the review! I love the idea of the filter ring for protection and using a sepia filter! Also, I was looking for information to use other printing papers and your video enlightened me! It's not easy to find someone talking about it. I'm from Brazil and Kodak Zink printing paper is the most expensive here. Thanks again for the nice video.
Thank you! I also have a video posted comparing the results of different Zink papers.
This was a blast! Have to look at the newer models of these type.
Thank you and I will. I have to imagine that there have been some improvements in the newer cameras.
Newer model is not improved: it has no black and white/color option, the back of camera has to slide off(does not flip open), the status lights on back of the camera have been deleted. I just bought one on Amazon on Dec 15, 2023, and i am disappointed that these changes have been made.
Loved Image's 🎥🎥
Thank you!
nice video i am thinking about buying this camera, you explained content so well
Thank you!
I just got one of these used today. With everything you look at being on the back, I noticed that I had a tendency to set it down on its face! After watching your video, I knew I had to do something NOW, before any damage occurred. I wanted to use clear plastic protectors, that you put on something to keep it from scratching the table it's on, but couldn't find any. I ended up using the smallest of felt circles (tan) with 4 at 1, 4, 7, 11 on a clock dial, so when I lay it down, the lens is not touching anything. I also cut up one small felt (about the size of a nickle) and put a strip between the shutter button and color selection switch, and a leftover semi circleon the other side, so it won't be as easy to touch that and take another horrible picture straight up my nose!
Oh very nice solution!
Thanks, this is the best review/tutorial I've seen about the Kodak Printomatic. I have one, production September 2017. I did the firmware update last year but did not notice any improvements in picture quality. Great tip about the step down ring. I'm going to buy one and a filter for color and B&W. Second hand filters are usual not expensive. I think the newer model is the Kodak Smile. Also noticed that Canon introduced two Zink based instant print cameras but they are more expensive and I'm not sure if the step down ring hack can be applied. I kept the blue calibration sheets so I could use other brands of the Zink paper but the price is comparable between the different brands. It's fun and you have a digital file. The digital file's of the Printomatic need to receive a date once downloaded to the computer since there's no possibility to set the date in the camera, but it's not a big issue. However I prefer an analog instant camera using Instax based film due to better color but it's more expensive.
Thank you! I also totally love this camera. Probably the most fun camera on my shelf, if I'm honest.
David Hancock Yes, despite I prefer the colors of Instax, the Printomatic is a joy to use. Light weight, easy to cary with you, and can be powered using a power bank on the go and the camera is inexpensive. I was lucky to obtain one in the 2018 Januari sale at a very cheap price . A few days later the price was up.. Perhaps the webshop made a mistake at first. It’s a fun device but not my main camera. In the mean time I subscribed to your channel. Should explore it in depth. Already can say I enjoyed the two videos of the Pentax auto 110. Still have my first from 1980 and last year I got a Super model, I wanted a spare and Lomography released the new Metropolis also in 110😀.
David, you mention a sepia filter. I used KR 1.5 filter with my Polaroid 320 (very long time ago) to reduce blue cast with the Polacolor 108 film. Is that the type of filter you also use please? Thanks
@@TheLeiPol A sepia filter is WAY stronger than a 1.5. Sepia filters are literally sepia colored, orange-brown.
Thanks so much for all your help. I got this camera for my son. The book it came with didn't even tell me how long to charge, or what the colors mean. Thanks 😊
Thank you!
david hancock ALWAYS coming in clutch
What’s the best lighting when using this camera? My pictures turn out rather dark unfortunately. Thank you so much for this awesome review!
Even and bright. So sunny day, under cloud cover, works very well.
I have a couple of similar cameras from Polaroid.One works basically the same as that,and the other lets you take pictures and print them later.They're not high quality by any means,but they can be fun to use.
It's probably the same camera. :D They're made by the same people and I suspect that there's a lot of overlap underneath the plastic. They are a ton of fun to use and they're walking around cameras because they're light and small, too.
I'm glad I waited to see that it's possible to trick the camera to make double exposure, and second, the problem with the tripod socket, I think it's easily doable with a smartphone adapter
That's a good idea on the adapter. Might need a tablet adapter (I feel like this camera is a bit bigger than a phone adapter, but I may be wrong.)
Hello. thanks for your video. I just bought a Kodak printomatic but i found is slightly diferent and does not have the BW/Color button. However, I didn't see any information online regarding different models of this camera.
You're the second person to ask about that recently. I don't have any insight into that, unfortunately.
so, if I get a step down ring that is 62-58, is the size of the lens cover I need the 58 number? Does it not matter if they a camera brand like canon, or not? Can I get a lens to zoom the pic in a little I just want to take a pic of something that is small, like coffee cup size, and there is too much blank space around it? What about if they are landscape that is really far away?
Correct, 58mm. I don't think there are Canon brand step rings so just get the cheapest; they're all the same. Nope on the zooming; the lens is basically fixed focus. It will focus to about three feet, I think.
great video! did you made the paper comparison? where is it?
Thank you! I did with a Kodak Smile printer. It's located here: czcams.com/video/_aFvFUsBjpI/video.html
I enjoy it as your expectations on prints should never be high on instant especially with a $50 price tag. I only wish they added one small switch to turn on or off print mode, so when just wanting to take digitally you could shoot without running the printer
Concur and thank you!
What size step down ring, lens cap and filter did you use for this?
I believe it was a 58 to 55mm step down and then 55mm filters and a lens cap.
Hello, do we need to put that blue paper everytime before taking picture? Blue paper (claibration sheet) comes with camera and I took picture that came out first. Do I need to put it back for more pictures ? Many thanks
I don't do it every time, but it doesn't hurt.
Hello! This video is very helpful! I learned a lot. I am considering investing in an instant camera and this one is on my list.However, I have read many Amazon reviews saying that the film often comes out with weird tints and/or discolouration. Has that happened to you before?
It has. I've overcome that by always using a calibration sheet and also letting it rest a while if the color starts coming out a bit pink. That seems to be an issue when the printer gets hot.
@@DavidHancock thanks for replying so quickly! One more question, you mentioned in the video saying specific films are great for achieving specific looks. Do you listing which is best in different conditions?
@@valeriezhu5678 I do not. I did a video testing all the different Zink films I could buy. That video might help.
My granddaughter got this as a holiday gift but every picture seems to be have a lot of red in it.... any suggestions for maybe a different brand of paper? Or a filter she can try that would tone down the red?
Nice gift! For paper, Kodak paper seems to work the best for me with these. If you try other brands, this camera HAS to use the Kodak calibration sheet at the beginning or it won't use the paper. So swap those sheets out.
For the red cast, is it only on the prints or is it in the digital files, too?
I just got my Printomatic and I was wondering what filters you said you liked to use?
I liked the sepia filter the most.
Hi Happy New Year does this camera suppose to come with a charger I got it as a Christmas gift
Brand new, it would. If used, likely not. Any charging cord with a micro USB, the old standard cell phone plug, will work to charge these.
I have a PRINTOMATIC. It worked perfectly for the first picture. But I want to take another picture and it doesn’t print. What do you think it could be?
No idea. It could be the battery is dead (check that the battery light isn't flashing) or something more serious. Check with the distributor as they may have an idea.
can you give me a link to the stepdown ring and filters and lens cover pls
Oh boy, I sold this camera shortly after I released this video, so I don't recall what those parts were. The best advice I'd have is to use ebay for the ##M to ##MM step-down ring and then use the second mm size for the lens cap.
Thanks for the video. I just got one as a gift but I’m concerned how can I know what kind of model do I have? Mine is yellow like yours but it only takes color photos, the box came with paper instead charger and the power is at the top and not in the back. And it’s 5mp.
Sounds like you might have a different model than I do. I'm not sure from your description which one you have, however.
i have the same one, mery
My granddaughter (8years old) received this camera as a gift during a party for which I was not present. Anyway, she came home without the packaging and the camera has no SD card as well as no instructions. Also, they had the film in upside down and didn’t use the blue calibration card at all.
Yay for us! Lol! Could you please tell me if we can:
1. Use the camera without said SD card and if not what kind can I replace it with?
2. Now that I’ve put the blue calibration card in and loaded 8 of 10 photo papers- will the camera work?
Thank you for making this video. And thank you in advance if you get a chance to respond to my questions.
My Ava (the granddaughter) who unpacks things without paying attention to anything would be grateful. Lol!
Hi, and great first camera.
1- Yes, but the photos will not be saved, just printed. If there's no paper, too, then the photo will be lost.
2- It should.
So do you think the heat effects the quality of the photo?. Because I remver taking some Photos on a cold morning and they went nearly as good of quality as they normally are?
It wouldn't shock me to learn that temperature affects print quality.
Can you please re-look or revise the Canon New F-1 video? It was unfortunately underwhelming based on your specific faulty New F-1 and this legendary camera deserves more because of how incredible it was.
That's a fair request. If I get one that works properly, definitely.
Can you also use this camera as a digital one and look at the photos on your computer? For let’s say I run out of paper and still want to make pictures? Can somebody help me with my question? Really interested in the camera and nice review!
There's an index in the video description. Look for the section on the camera's bottom features. You can use the SD card shown there to move your photos to the computer.
Thanks!
ooh where can we find the filters>
eBay. Simply look for Sepia Filter.
would be nice if you could do a vidoe on zenit's such as the ttl, the E or the 12 because they are esay to find, and many people start with them. moreover, there aren't many quality video on them.
I'm also still hoping for Prakticas. :)
Thank you and I will. I have a Zenit-C and a Senit rangefinder to review when I hit the studio next. Apropos of that, I'm taking a week off work just to make videos after Christmas. So there will be two Zenit cameras in this year's reviews.
Will a Praktina IIA and Pentacon Variant I be okay substitutes? (This assumes they both work; they're in transit right now.)
@@DavidHancock Hm, it's a start. The later Prakticas would probably a little more usable/interesting for new film photographers today. Plus of course I always want reviews of cameras I already own, for that "I made the right choice" pat on the back. :D
@@chrissoclone We'll get there in time. Pentacons are night cameras. It's pretty hard to go wrong with one.
Hello, i have this camera in blue (the 8mm 3:2 picture) but i don't know why all my pictures come out with pink ink, do u know what it could be? And can it be fixed somehow? Plis help, also nice review!
Are they pink in the digital files as well as on the prints, or just the prints?
@@DavidHancock just the prints! I'm having this issue too
@@sarahsocks1 Hmm. The'r when I printed about 50 prints in rapid succession on my Smile printer the other month it overheated and some towards the end had a pink cast. I would guess that it has to do with printer temperature, but I'm not 100% certain what causes it or how to fix it. I think my best advice is to use the Kodak calibration card every pack of paper and try not to let the printer get really hot from lots of rapid use. Might also be worth contacting Kodak if the issue persists.
When u use the camra it comes out kinda blurry and is very off center from the eye hole is there somthing im doing wrong?
Nope. The off-center aspect is because the viewfinder lacks parallax correction and is off-center from the lens. I'm guessing based on that part of your question that you're trying to photograph things that are close to the camera. If yes, then they may be blurry because the camera can't focus that close.
I believe the metal tab in my Kodak Printomatic came out, how exactly do I reinsert this? My photos won't be pushed out and no actual photo shows up on the paper
I honestly don't know. I'm not sue how it's attached.
Proof that you can even review toy cameras and it'll turn out interesting. Have you ever compared those Zink prints to Fuji Instax? I was always under the impression that Zink prints just look like cheap and somewhat noisy digital prints in comparison, but never tried any instant format myself besides old classic Polaroid.
Thank you!
The Zink photos are definitely glossier and they do look more digital, no doubt. Colors are cooler, too. That said, the brand of Zink paper, shockingly, very shockingly, makes a difference in the results. Some Zink papers have better sharpness and contrast. Some have magenta or green casts. Also, the image in makes a difference with quality images from a DSLR reproducing better than images from a cell phone or Printomatic.
Does it make you feel less insecure about being an adult if you call something a toy. Deep down you subconsciously think people are going to view you as a child for not having the best camera on the market? This is on the cheaper end of cameras but is clearly not a toy lol.
Hola, podrias decir donde comprar el anillo para proteger la cámara y demas?
Sí. Compré uno en eBay y lo pegué a la cámara. Quieres un anillo reductor (creo que indiqué el tamaño en el video y no lo recuerdo en este momento) porque el anillo reductor tiene una base más ancha a la que se puede adherir el pegamento.
Hey what happens when you have a micro sd card inside does it automatically save the photos you've just printed and if not how do you save them to it
Yes it does. With an SD card inserted, every photo is saved digitally. Without an SD card, none are.
@@DavidHancock so even if I took a photo to print will it save that also
I heard somewhere else that the micro sd card should be max size 32gb. I have also read that some cards speed is wrong for some things, and I had worried that the ULTRA 32gb scandisk I bought wouldn't work. But if anyone needs the info, that ultra 32msc works fine. Odd how the manual completely skips the msd card slot and size needed, as if it weren't even there.
I think that's correct. Honestly, a 32gb MSD card on this is way bigger than you need. I can't fill the 8gb MSD card.
@@DavidHancock I guess I like to always get the largest that something takes, because I think that I may use it for some other device at a later time, and it might actually need the room. :)
I ordered this camera to take on a future trip… however reading the Amazon reviews it seems there’s two identical looking but different models going around? Some look like yours, but others have a cap that slides off instead of the spring-loaded door on yours, and they seem to lack the three indicator leds AND the black & white mode…. Now I’m confused about which one I’ll receive…. I sure hope it’s like yours!
I think the one that's different is the version that replaced this camera.
@@DavidHancock ah then I’ll most likely receive the “new” version. It’s disappointing that they would take what was already the budget camera and actually downgrade it silently, while still using the old specs and modes in advertising.
@@AbeM. Yes, I was disappointed when I just got the Printmatic camera from Amazon. It was different from the ones I saw reviews of. It did not have the black and white option, the back door plate now has to be slid off, and the three status lights are mussing. Also, there are no specs listed for the lens or the processor. So the quality may not be as good. Also, there is no video option. I thought older versions could take video.
How do I extract photos from the camera to my pc? Do i just connect the charging port's usb side to my pc?
Id love some help!
I personally popped the SD card out and plugged it into my PC to transfer files.
@@DavidHancock but can you do it tho?
Im trying to save a lil bit of money because i dont have any SD connections on my pc
@@ofiraviv8458 I'm not sure. SD card transfer is much faster than USB transfer so I never connect cameras to my computer.
How does this compare to the canon ivy cliq+? It's an older version, but still more expensive than the kodak printomatic. If you have any input, it would be appreciated
I honestly don't know. I haven't used any of the comparable competitor cameras. I would imagine that most of these are fundamentally the same inside as they're mostly being made by the same company.
@@DavidHancock Thank you. Based on reviews, (yours included) I ordered 2 Kodak Printomatic cameras. They are for my kids. This seems like a decent camera and compared to the others the best quality for the price. Thanks again
For the printer does it last eternity or is there a toner that needs to be changed ?
It uses heat on the paper so there's nothing inside of the camera, except paper, to replace.
Thanks ❤️❤️ I’m on the part where u talk about the printing theory 🥰😅
Hi , so my daughter received this camera as a gift . She loves it , unfortunately the film has jammed an I'm not able to get it out . Please HELP ! 🤦🙂
Hmm. First try using the rest button on the bottom (a safety pin or cell phone SIM card release pin will work to reset it.) The camera, next time it turns on, should push out the paper. If it doesn't, slowly pull the paper out of the camera (don't push it back in). I had to do that once.
And what is the size of the filter ring so I can aquire one myself
I think I said in the video that it was a 58 to 55mm step-down ring. I don't recall the size for sure.
@@DavidHancock which one 58 or 55
Where do you get filter and cap
You would need to attach a filter ring yourself first and then you can order filters and accessories for that size ring from any photo supply source.
🎥 🎥
This camera is for still images only.
I just bought a Printomatic on Amazon. Bought Dec 15, 2023. It does not have a color/ black and white option switch. Also the back panel slides off, it does not flip open. The power switch is now on top, where the black and white/color switch is on yours.
Also the three lights on back of camera are gone, not on the new camera.
Thank you!
my printomatic doesn’t have the b&w to color switch?
Not sure why that is.
Where did you buy the ring and the protector for the lens?
eBay
@@DavidHancock cau u please give me the url of the product?
@@irene_g There are dozens of options. I think the searches that I described in the video will get you where you need. I don't use affiliate links so I don't link to specific items anymore.
My camera has the power button instead of the picture mode switch (black and white/color mode). Anyone knows why? :(
It might be a different model.
You could glue a 1/4” nut on bottom of camera for tripod.
Yeah, but I'd worry about it being level and having a secure connection. Tripod sockets are recessed to increase the surface area contacting the tripod or quick-release plate. Not having that will lead to a wobbly tripod connection.
Dave, I assume this has some sort of exposure metering to adjust the aperture and/or shutter speed. But where is it on the camera?
You know, good question. I don't fully know. I can't tell if it has an aperture or not. I suspect not and that exposure control is simply done via shutter speed.
But there's no way to control anything about exposure control.
I just took some photos with my new printmatic camera that I got from Amazon this week. Photos were terrible! Washed out, blurry and very yellow. Used Kodak zink paper that came with camera and also zink paper that I purchased. The results were all the same: terrible. I used the color calibration card. It did not help. Photos were taken indoors with built in flash. I am extremely disappointed in quality!
I will try taking outdoor photos to see if results are better.
I also might try resetting camera.
Resetting the camera may help. If not, definitely worth reaching out to Amazon.
When I take a picture the film gets stuck and the light on top flashes red? What can I do to stop that?
Have you taken the film out completely and reloaded it?
@@DavidHancock
Yes it works perfectly now
Can I use Xiaomi zink paper to that?
I'm not sure because I never tried, but it would need a Kodak calibration card.
Mine is not turning on. Does it require charging?
It does
Mine has film and is charged and it won’t take pictures anymore. It only beeps when I click the power pic button
That's weird and worth checking with the maker about
@@DavidHancockI texted the customer service so I hope it works.
What size lens cap and ring should I get for this camera?
I forget what size I used because I sold this one, but I think the video states the sizes and there should be a link in the description to help.
The paper get stuck in the camera. How can I remove it? It doesn't come out.
That's tricky. It happened to me a couple of times. First try using the camera reset button on the bottom of the camera and fully charging it. Next time it turns on it might eject the paper.
If that fails, what I did was remove the paper that wasn't stuck from inside the camera, push the paper that is stuck from the inside until I could grab it from the outside, then gently and steadily pull. I would not recommend pulling against the direction that the camera feeds the paper as I believe that could damage the feed mechanism.
@@DavidHancock I pulled it at the direction that the camera feeds the paper. I can't even see the paper in it. What's the best thing to do?
@@gaviegarcia6577 The tips I gave you area really three only ones I know of. If you bought it new recently I might see about returning it for a new one.
I realize this is a 3 year old video, but here's a tip. After watching you accidentally take photos by accidentally bumping the shutter button, or setting it down on the button, I super glued a rubber o-ring slightly larger in diameter than the button around it. The o-ring sticks up slightly higher than the shutter button and makes pressing the shutter more intentional. The o-ring I used is about 15mm inside diameter, for those who don't have a selection of sizes to pick from.
Thank you! That's a great idea.
Is it possible to print photos from my phone?
For that you would need the Smile printer.
@@DavidHancock thanks a lot
Hi! Where can i get the different filter lenses?
Your local camera store for sure, but you'll need to have affixed a filter ring to your camera first.
how can I take a picture without printing even while the camera has zink paper?
You can't. That's a major drawback of this camera.
@@DavidHancock yeah, just noticed, bought mine today, thanks for the review any how
I have apple products chargers and no charger fits ugh
If you know anyone with an android, they almost certainly have some cables lying around. Heck, I just took a box with about 25 of them to Goodwill. Goodwill or Amazon or eBay might be places to check.
I have one mine is pink
Nice! I almost got that color.
Does this camera give you a hard time a lot??
Not a lot.
I take a picture of what I see in the rectangle, but that is not what prints out
There's a slight difference between the viewfinder and the actual image because the lens and viewfinder are offset.
Why rapid fire and why want to save 20c?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Americans do like the sound of their own voices 🤦🏻
That's because we have beautiful voices.
I just got it but my pincture come out with a LOT of red, i use thé Kodak paper 🥲
Two quick questions:
Are the digital images also red?
Did you use the Kodak calibration card when you loaded the paper?