2026-09-14 - Ansco Readyflash Camera + Anscoflash Type 1 Flash Unit

 

Ansco Readyflash Camera

The Ansco Readyflash Camera is a box camera manufactured in 1953 by Ansco in Binghamton, New York. The camera is a simple sheet-metal, fixed-focus viewfinder box camera that takes 8 exposures on 620 film. The Readyflash name references the built-in synchronized flash-ready design, so it was frequently sold as a kit featuring the camera and its matching detachable flash unit.

Key Features:

• Film Type: Uses 620 roll film capturing eight 2¼" × 3¼" (6×9 cm) exposures per roll.
• Lens: Fixed-focus meniscus lens. Focus ranges from 7 feet to infinity.
• Aperture: Fixed, typically around f/16 to f/18.
• Shutter Speed: Single-speed shutter about 1/20s to 1/30s. 
• Body: Sheet-metal box covered in black leatherette with a distinctive red or matching release button.

Anscoflash Type 1 Flash Unit

The Anscoflash Type 1 Flash Unit was designed specifically to companion the Ansco Readyflash Camera by attaching to the two metal terminals on the top of the camera. The flash relies on disposable magnesium flashbulbs and is powered internally by batteries to ignite the bulb when the shutter button is pressed. Depending upon the specific bulb and film speed used, the effective flash range of this unit is 7 to 20 feet.

Key Features:

• Design: A matching detachable flash unit that plugs directly into the two terminal mounts on the lens plate.
• Flash Type: Relies on single use magnesium or aluminum-filled glass flashbulbs (typically M2, M5, or Press 25 bulbs).
• Power Source: Powered by batteries inserted into the flash unit’s handle / battery case.
• Synchronization: Shutter-synchronized; pushing the red shutter button triggers the shutter mechanism and ignites the flashbulb simultaneously.
• Effective Range: Typically 7 to 20 feet, depending on the film speed and the specific flashbulb used.