I never wanted to buy a box type camera - just aim & shoot type - since I am addicted to click photos with a manual SLR. Such box type cameras give very limited or let me say almost no adjustments to improvise the picture composition.
You must be wondering by now that why am I writing a review on Kodak KB-20 then. Here goes....
I was to go to Bangkok in March’02 and my parents insisted that carrying SLR around might be uncomfortable. So I bought Kodak KB 20 camera. Being very compact and with no additional attachments like lenses, flash gun etc., it would be easy to carry and handle.
The camera is very neatly designed with 35mm lens, fixed focus and has built-in flash. A small orange light indicates flash-ready.
The film loading is very easy, as it is facilitated with auto-forward motor.
Every time you ready the camera to click a snap, the flash invariably gets on and is fired. Thus in case in some locations /events you do not wish to use flash, you cannot switch it off. I find this very annoying.
After clicking, the film is automatically forwarded to next frame. A semi-circular window on the top shows the film count - very nice feature, as even in dark you could easily read the numbers.
It also has auto-rewind button to wind the film once you have completed the roll.
The camera comes with a nice artificial-poly leather pouch. I found it very nice as I could keep my camera in it and put it in my belt.
The results are really great - frankly I did not expect them to be so good. I clicked almost 4 full rolls during my stay of 5 days in Bangkok. I used it mainly to shoot close range photos and indoor photos. I used my regular SLR for outdoor photos.
Today I find that Kodak KB-20 (I use Kodak MAX film) very good and handy to take snaps in small functions, birthday-parties and even picnics. At least I can give my camera to anybody in the crowd to take my photo! I do not have to worry at all, if the other guy or girl can take a good picture. Kodak KB-20 is very easy to handle.
Highly recommended to first time ’’shooters’’. The other version KB-10 is also nice, but does not have auto-forward / rewind facility.