Kodak was incorporated in 1888 by George Eastman, meaning that Kodak has been around for over half of the United States' entire history.  Since their incorporation, Kodak has produced more cameras and films than can be easily, or quickly, listed here.  One of their more interesting cameras was the Kodak Ektra of 1941.  Meanwhile, one of their most notable films was Kodachrome, itself first produced in 1935.  Over those many decades, Kodak products have recorded an unfathomable number of moments in human history.  So much of our past and present (and we bet our future as well) will be preserved in some part by either a Kodak camera or Kodak film.

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They say that lightning doesn't strike twice, apparently this doesn't hold true with Kodak Ektras.

These incredibly complex little cameras (add incredibly rare too; particularly if they are in working condition - which neither of these are) were Kodak's deviously-engineered attempt to compete with the likes of Contax and Leica in the 1940s.  Even though the Ektra cannot really be counted as much of a success, the cameras did some incredible things.  

For example, it has a zooming viewfinder that could cover 50-254mm!  This is at a time when Leica cameras' viewfinders only accommodated the 50mm lens.  The Ektra also had an interchangeable back.  Not unique among 35mm cameras, but exceedingly uncommon.  Also, in the "an innovation we take for granted today" category, the Ektra had levers for both film advance and rewind.  Most contemporary cameras like the Contax II and Leica IIIs still used knobs.  The inclusion of a film advance and rewind lever made both functions quicker and easier.  Strangely enough, the Ektra put its film advance lever on the back of the camera, used by the left hand instead of the right.

Sadly, the Ektra never really caught on commercially.  Perhaps due to its unreliable shutter, or complex (and hence, expensive) design?  It could be because Leica cameras were just more sublimely easy to use?  Either way, the Ektra enjoyed a relatively short production run before Kodak turned their attention to other efforts, making the Ektra name just another obscure footnote in camera history.

One last footnote - in 2016, Kodak resurrected (or recycled?) the Ektra name as a camera smartphone.  The camera had faux vintage leather covering and digital rotary dials on-screen for selection options, hearkening back to the look and feel of historic Kodak cameras.  Considering we had not heard of the Ektra smartphone until we started researching the Ektra rangefinder camera, they both seemed to have lived similarly successful lives.

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Develop negative habits indeed.

Our beloved assistant lab manager, Renee Heister, recently produced her own photography-themed t-shirt.  When you work with a staff of about 20 creative individuals, you often see wonderful things like this come into being.  We like to share these with you, because we figure what inspires us hopefully inspires you as well.

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