Kodak Ektralite 400: manual and user guide

The Kodak compact for 110 film, with a built-in flash. Its original manual, then the essentials for using it.

Original manual kept by Collection Appareils, Sylvain Halgand’s collector’s site. The link opens its page, where you can read it online.

Getting started

Batteries The flash needs 2 AAA 1.5 V alkaline batteries (Mallory Mn 2400, UCAR E 92 or Varta 4003): one set gives about 120 flashes. Wipe their terminals with a rough cloth, open the compartment in the direction of the arrow and insert them following the + and − signs.
Loading the cassette Pull to open the camera and unfold its handle, push the back latch to the left and insert the 110 film cartridge. Close it by pushing the latch to the right, then work the advance slider several times, until it locks: the number 1 appears in the window on the back, next to the film type.
Your first photo In daylight, set the slider to the sun. Hold the camera against your eye, frame in the viewfinder and gently press the shutter button with your fingertip, without moving. Stay at least 1.20 m from the subject, with the sun behind you or to the side.
Flash Set the slider to the lightning bolt: the flash is ready when the lamp on top blinks. Your subject should be between 1.20 m and 3.50 m, or up to 5 m with Kodacolor 400, a high-speed film. Keep the hand holding the handle away from the flash.
Removing the cartridge After the last shot, work the advance slider several times, until it locks: a dark area appears in the window on the back. Then take out the cartridge and have it developed as soon as possible.

Focus is fixed: everything is sharp from 1.20 m to infinity, with no distance setting. Don’t get any closer.
It reads the film speed by itself. In sunlight, it exposes at 1/125 s at f/9.5 with Kodacolor II or Verichrome Pan, and at 1/250 s at f/9.5 with Kodacolor 400. With flash, at 1/60 s at f/6.8 for all films.
Folded up, it protects itself: the handle acts as its case, covers the lens and viewfinder, prevents accidental shutter release and switches off the flash.

The lamp also works as a battery test: with the slider on the lightning bolt, if it blinks within a normal time, the batteries are correctly inserted and in good condition. With new batteries, it lights up after 5 seconds.
If you wait more than 60 seconds, clean the contacts or change the batteries. After a month or more without using the flash, the first charge takes longer.
The lamp blinks just before full charge: for a subject more than 2.50 m away, wait a few more seconds before pressing the shutter button.
Use it for all indoor photos, and outdoors in deep shade, under heavy cloud or against the light. Set the slider back to the sun if you don’t need it straight away: you’ll save the batteries.

It takes 110 cartridge film. The manual mentions Kodacolor II or Kodacolor 400 for colour, Kodak Verichrome Pan for black and white.
A high-speed film helps with moving subjects and with flash at greater distances, and limits camera shake.
Take the batteries out when you put the camera away between uses.
Keep it away from sand, heat and direct sunlight: never in the glove box or near the rear window of a car. The flash runs on high voltage: don’t repair it yourself.

Format: 110 cartridge film
Lens: Kodak Reomar 24 mm f/6.8
Focusing: fixed, from 1.20 m to infinity
Exposure: sun or flash slider, 1/125 s at f/9.5 (Kodacolor II, Verichrome Pan), 1/250 s at f/9.5 (Kodacolor 400), 1/60 s at f/6.8 with flash
Sensitivity: read automatically from the cartridge
Flash: built-in electronic, with charge lamp, from 1.20 to 3.50 m (Kodacolor II, Verichrome Pan), from 1.20 to 5 m (Kodacolor 400)
Film advance: by slider, worked until it locks
Handling: folding handle, which acts as a case once folded and then switches off the flash
Power: 2 AAA 1.5 V alkaline batteries (Mallory Mn 2400, UCAR E 92, Varta 4003), about 120 flashes per set