This low-end Argus is adorned with a fake cell. It has no adjustments and does not accept 160 ASA film.
Film advancement is done through a wheel located on the back. The manual specifies that this operation rotates the flash.

The two batteries are intended to power the Flashcube for approximately 500 flashes. Attention: to change them, you need to open the film compartment! Plan ahead!

It was manufactured in Germany by Balda. Only the facade distinguishes it from the Balda 104.

The Argus Instant Load 164 is presented in a cardboard box that includes the camera, a film, a flash cube, a wrist strap, two batteries, and the user manual. This presentation is then referred to as the Argus 164 K (Kit!).

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Balda followed Kodak in the path of the 126 and released a whole range of cameras using the new film cartridge.

Film and 126 Camera

The patent 3,138,081 was published on June 23, 1964. It was filed by Kodak, and the inventor's name is Hubert Nerwin.

It involves a 35mm film contained within a closed cassette. Asymmetric, it serves both as a supply spool and a take-up spool. There is no possibility of inserting the film the wrong way in the camera due to its design. The film is perforated on one side only. The back is lined with paper bearing a frame number, employing the principle of an unexposed back on cameras to avoid the need for a mechanical frame counter. The camera only requires one drive spindle since there's no need to rewind the film. The cassette is returned to the Kodak laboratory after the final exposure without any additional handling.

With this innovative system, the photographer no longer runs the risk of mispositioning the film start tab or tearing the perforations. Also known as Kodapak, the 126 film was available in 20, later in 24 exposures (the 12-exposure version existed for a short time), either in color negative or for colour slides.

The Balda cameras evolved in parallel with those manufactured by Kodak to adapt to the new flashbulbs.


The shape of the cameras changed during the series' existence. The shutter release of the early models is integrated into the front face and is black (Design 1).
Later, it is larger and forms the top and left edge of the front face (Design 2).
The most advanced models change in design. The lens is retractable (Design 3). The mechanism for the movement of the lens was the subject of several patents filed in 1971 by Balda. The inventor was Karl-Heinz Lange (US3709129 and DE2136183).

		Years	Lens	Shutter	Design	Misc.
Models using Flashcube
104		c.1968	Fixfocus	Single speed	1	Winding knob. No setup. Fake cell
304		c. 1968	Fixfocus	1/60	1	Like 104, but automatic exposure
544 electronic		c.1972	Fixfocus	18 to 1/250	1	CdS cell
644 electronic		c.1972	Symbols	18 to 1/250	1 (?)	CdS cell
144		c.1971-77	Fixfocus	Single speed	2	Winding knob. No setup
344		c.1972	Fixfocus		2	Like 144, but automatic exposure
844 electronic		1971-77		18 to 1/300	3	CdS cell, Light signals in the viewfinder. Retractable lens
Models using Magicube
144-X		1971-77	Fixfocus	Single speed	2	Winding knob. No setup
344-X		c. 1972	Fixfocus		2	Like 144-X, but automatic exposure
824-X		c. 1974-77		1/40 and 1/125	3	Collimated viewfinder. Retractable lens
834-X		c.1974-77			3	Lights in the viewfinder indicating the setting (sun, shade, or flash). Retractable lens
844-X electronic		c.1972-77		18 to 1/300	3	CdS cell, Light signals in the viewfinder. Retractable lens
944-X electronic		c.1974-77	Isconar 5.6/35 Fixfocus	8 to 1/1000	3	CdS cell. Retractable lens