The Kodak S300MD Autowind Camera is a large 35mm point and shoot film camera, which was sold between 1988 and 1993. It came in two colours – black and burgundy and was the second in the Kodak S range of compacts, including the S100EF, S400SL, S500AF, S900 and S1100XL.
Kodak S300MD Autowind Specifications
When the lens is enclosed by the lens cover, the camera has an uncanny resemblance to Darth Vader’s helmet.There’s not a huge amount to be said about the features of the Kodak S300MD, because there aren’t that many of them. The lens is an Ektanar (which I believe was a Kodak branded lens) with a 35mm perspective and f/4.5 aperture. It’s probably fair to say that the Kodak S300MD is a semi-auto point and shoot film camera. As the name implies, the film winds the film on automatically after each shot – although rewinding the film requires the user to flip a switch on the top of the camera. The film ISO speeds are set manually using a switch underneath the lens. There are, however, only two ISO settings to choose from – 100/200 and 400.
Using the Kodak S300MD Autowind Camera
The Kodak S300MD is large, with a substantial hand-grip, which feels comfortable to hold. It is, after the Canon Sure Shot Zoom S (a candidate for noisiest camera in the World), the noisiest camera I have ever used. However at least, being a prime lens camera, it only has the chance to make a noise when it winds the film on, rather than when the lens zooms in and out. But it would be harsh to be too judgemental about that, because the Kodak S300MD was never intended to be a high-end camera.
Luke, I am your father.
The lens is covered with a plastic shield, which is manually slid open and closed. When closed, the shutter is locked, so that images can’t accidentally be taken. Also, when the lens is covered, the camera has an uncanny resemblance to Darth Vader’s helmet.
When the camera meter sense that the scene is too dark, a red indicator light is shown next to the viewfinder, when the shutter button is pressed half way down – although, it is still possible to take a photo without engaging the flash. The flash itself has to be manually set using a switch on the side of the camera. When the flash is ready to fire, an orange light flashes on the top of the camera.
And that’s pretty much all there is to say about this camera. It’s very basic, but it does what is says on the tin.
