The origins of the Kombi lie in a United States patent in the name of William V. Esmond. A second patent by Christian H. Stoelting describes the Kombi in full detail. Half of the Esmond patent and the entire Stoelting patent were assigned to Alfred C. Kemper, the manufacturer of the camera.

The Kombi is extremely well made with machined parts, not at all like other novelty cameras that were being produced. It could also be used to view transparencies printed on Kombi film. A circular disc in the back of the camera could be removed, the roll of transparencies was then wound on the normal feed and take-up spools and viewed through the lens.

The camera cost $3.50, an accessory back, without the removable disc, cost $1.50, a roll of film was 0.20. As the camera had to be loaded in the dark a 'rubber loading sleeve' was produced for 0.60. A 'Loaded' clip was sold as an accessory as a reminder that the camera contained film. The manufacturers offered a developing and printing service or photographers could purchase a developing and printing kit for $3.00. A tripod with special fixing plate was available at $2.00. It was reviewed in the Photography Annual of 1895 and advertised in the UK for a few years. The price for the camera loaded with a strip of 25 exposure film was 15/-, extra film cost 10d, the developing outfit was 12/6, changing bag 2/6, two tripods were offered at 10/6 and 8/6.