Kodak's upper mid-range 1982 disc-film camera — auto exposure, built-in flash, close-up lens
Kodak launched disc film in 1982 with a family of cameras - the 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 - in ascending order of price and features. The Disc 6000 sat in the upper middle of that launch range and was produced from 1982 to 1984, during the initial boom that saw Kodak sell around eight million disc cameras in the format's first year.
The slim body takes the rotating disc film cassette that defined the format. The 6000 wears a black finish with a fold-over cover protecting the lens, exposure is automatic with a built-in flash, and a slide switch brings a close-up lens into position; minimum focus in the normal range is 0.5m. The camera measures 124x80x31mm, weighs 216g and launched at around 90 US dollars.
Its appeal was pocketability and foolproof drop-in loading rather than image quality - the format's very small negatives produced visibly grainy enlargements, a weakness that ultimately sank disc photography. Today it interests collectors of 1980s Kodak industrial design more than active shooters.
Disc film production ended in the late 1990s and no new stock exists, so these sell almost entirely as collectables or display pieces. Value rests on cosmetic condition, a cleanly working lens-cover and close-up mechanism, and original packaging; confirming that the electronics still fire is difficult without sacrificial film.