During early autumn of 2013, I finally found a vintage camera that I had been looking for– a Colorburst 300 Kodak Instant Camera.
I go “thrifting” about once every two weeks. Typically, I search the electronics sections for antique gadgets– instant cameras, retro video games and the like. But usually I find only a few common, unremarkable pieces scattered about, usually priced too high. So I was thrilled when I found a Colorburst 300 for $3.
The hefty Colorburst 300 Kodak Instant Camera was one I wanted to add to my collection for quite some time. It isn’t particularly uncommon or valuable. In fact, you could buy one on eBay for about $10 if you wanted to. But I, like a lot of collectors, prefer picking in the wild– thrift store, garage sales, flea markets, because for me, that’s part of the experience.
At the time, the Colorburst 300 was a great camera. It featured a built-in electronic flash, motorized film ejection, a darken and lighten setting, and focus control. It didn’t require one-time-use flash bulbs. And its many television commercials made it a big seller, especially around the Christmas season.
The reason I had been looking for a Colorburst 300 is that it looks fantastic. Like the Colorburst 100, the front of the camera is partially covered in a light brown leather. And the many buttons and settings makes it fascinating to just play around with.
And as a conversation piece that looks great on my shelf, the Colorburst 300 does just that.
Original Price: $75.00
Price paid: $3.00
Sold: 1978 – 1980
Film type: PR10 (PR144)
Sources: camerapedia.wikia.com. For more information about decorating with vintage cameras, check out my piece on incorporating vintage cameras into a modern living space. To check out other features on vintage cameras, click here.