Photography
Created 19 April 2000 ... Updated 1 October 2001
Kodak Brownie Box Camera CollectionSome time ago I came across some old box cameras when browsing some auction sites. The old Kodak Brownie camera's looked so beautiful and simple that it was just a matter of days to decide that one day I wanted to have one of those. When browsing the ebay pages I found someone who had three old box cameras for sale, a Brownie 2 model D, a Six-16 Brownie and a Target brownie 620. Of course they needed some cleaning and fixing up (the glue that keeps the viewfinder mirrors in place is old and the mirrors didn't stick to their normal place anymore) but now they look great again. Before I received these camera's however I walked by a shop in London in March 2000 that sold a Kodak Brownie 2 model F (built from 1924 - 1933) in near mint condition. Since this camera takes 120 roll film you can still use it. Of course the quality of the lens is not great as this camera was meant to be sold to the masses but it's would give you at least the same quality pictures as in the old photo albums. Every now and then I'm still looking at the eBay photography pages and come across a cheap Brownie box again. Plenty of box' in the US but the u$ 20 for shipping to Europe is outrageous. Ah well, sometimes I just can't resist so the collection is still growing... Of course what you do is to look for more information on the things you just acquired and which better place to look for than the internet. The Brownie Camera Page proved to be a great source of information, if you're interested in these old camera's, take a look there first, also check out his links. Since photos taken with this camera are quite expensive to print I haven't done so yet, the negatives look really soft though, just like in the pre-WW2 pictures :o) |
The collection |
Brownie 2 model D
Manufactured : 1914-19 Lens : Meniscus Shutter : Rotary Quantity Made : Original List Price : $2.00 Film Size : 120 Negative Size : 6x9cm Material : cardboard and wood |
Brownie 2 model F
Manufactured : 1928-1935 Lens : Meniscus Shutter : Rotary, speed 1/35 - 1/50 and bulb Aperture : f16, f20 and f26 Quantity Made : Original List Price : $2.00 Film Size : 120 Negative Size : 6x9cm Material : aluminium Features : tripod sockets |
Six-16 Brownie
Manufactured : 1933-41 Lens : Diway Shutter : Rotary Quantity Made : Original List Price : $3.50 Film Size : 616 Negative Size : 6x11cm |
Target brownie 620
Manufactured : 1941-46 Lens : Meniscus Shutter : Rotary Quantity Made : Original List Price : $2.75 Film Size : 620 Negative Size : 6x9cm |
Brownie Junior 620
Manufactured : 1933 - 1936 Lens : Meniscus Shutter : Rotary, one speed + Bulb Quantity Made : 90500 Original List Price : u$ 13.50 Film Size : 620 Negative Size : 6x9cm Material : black leatherette covered metal box Manufactured: Germany |
Local GalleriesBrownie web links |