Dallmeyer marketed many types of camera in the 1920s and 30s mainly as an outlet for their lenses, some of the models were simply existing designs fitted with a Dallmeyer lens others, like the Snapshot, were unique designs. A patent for the camera was issued in 1927 in the name of Dallmeyer Ltd and H.A. Carter, the patent shows the film pack model and describes how the front collapses into the rear shell, the self-erecting feature and the use of air vents. Vents were important on film pack and roll-film cameras as there was a tendency for the film to be sucked forward as the camera was opened, the bellows could also be pulled out of shape.

The Snapshot was shown before the RPS by Carter in May 1928, in his talk he thanked Newman & Guardia who "made every part of the camera except for the lens and finder to Dallmeyer's specification". The later Roll-film version was manufactured for Dallmeyer by Houghton-Butcher Mfg. Co.

Four versions were produced:

• First model for 3 ¼" x 2 ¼" film packs, introduced 1928.
• A De Luxe finished version for film packs covered in leather, this was introduced shortly after the ordinary finish.
• Roll-film model for 6 x 9 cm exposures, introduced in 1930.
• De Luxe finished version for roll-film, again introduced shortly after the normal finish.

The 'ordinary' finish of the camera was black crystalline paint, all models had leather bellows and a reflecting finder. The camera lived up to its name by using easy to understand legends for the controls: for focusing - Near, Medium, Distant; for shutter speed - Fast, Slow; and for apertures - Dull, Bright. The price of the first two models shown here was £5.5.0 which was quite cheap.