Kodak DCS 200 HS Target Camera (1992)

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The Kodak DCS-200 High Speed Target Camera was especially designed for Theme Park Rides. The camera was outfitted with a high reliability shutter on the front. The exposure was made by flash so shutter times were not that important. These cameras were installed in Theme Park rides and were to take pictures of people at the critical point where the car was falling. They were stationary mounted and supposed to last a long, long time without failure, shooting literally dozens of pictures per day. The pictures were then wired or downloaded to the Gift Shop were they were displayed on monitors and visitors could buy a thermal copy of their ride.

The first Theme Park attraction to receive such a camera was Splash Mountain in Disneyworld, Florida. It is totally uncertain how many of these cameras were built and sold and to whom besides Disneyworld. It is also uncertain when exactly these models were built but I guess somewhere between 1992 and 1994.

The shutter mechanism is very unique and I have never seen any industrial grade camera that could compare with this one. The owner an I both claim that this could very well be the first mirror-less digital camera with an F-mount. Unless someone else can prove us wrong of course!

Special thanks to Ron Volmershausen for picture material and Jim McGarvey for the information.