Kodak Instamatics were designed around the revolutionary drop-in 126 size cartridge. They came in
many sizes, shapes, models and colors. Many were a modern version of the Box Brownie - "you press
the shutter, we'll do the rest". Most were frowned on by 'serious photographers' although some of the
most renown manufacturers (Rollei for example) produced 126 size models.

The Instamatic 500 of 1963 was 'high end'. Here was a solid, German made, manual exposure, viewfinder
camera with a Schneider-Kreuznach Xenar 1:2.8/38mm 4-element glass lens of decent quality, with
speeds 1/30 to 1/500 plus Bulb. Add a Gossen selenium cell light meter with compensation factors,
a flash hot shoe, a good range of 32 mm Retina filters and lens hoods, a depth-of-field indicator,
tripod socket, and threaded shutter release, and you had a camera for under $100 capable of producing
great 28x28mm images . A minor but nice touch was that the lens retracted partially into the camera
body to increase 'pocketablity'.

In use, the camera is quiet, and dependable. Not so dependable is the dwindling supply of 126 film cartridges.
Time to stockpile in the freezer! Conveniently, the 28x28mm image 126 film, with sprocket holes
along one side only, fits developing reels made for 35mm film with a 24x36mm image