In
this post I will be talking about another iconic Kodak camera, from one of its
other successful camera series (the Instamatic being the other, see KODAK
Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera and Kodak
Instamatic 104 Camera post for more information), this being the Kodak
Brownie Model 1 Camera.
I
will just be focussing on this camera series’ history and this camera alone
because I have already spoke about Kodak’s history in Kodak
200 Color Plus Film, KODAK
Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera and Kodak
Instamatic 104 Camera (while you check out those posts, why not check out
the Kodak
Kodamatic 980L Instant Camera post to learn more about Kodak).
Let’s
start with how the Brownie series started. The first camera released was in
1900 which put “photography into the hands of amateurs and allowed the middle
class to take their own 'snapshots' as well.” (The Franklin Institute
2023)
The
first Brownie camera was the Brownie Box Camera (Bedi 2019), or as it is also
called the “Shoe Box” Brownie because it had one issue, which was that “the
back has a push-on cover, much like a shoe box lid…” these cameras only lasted
for a month before it was replaced by an improved version, this was because it
needed a winding key to load the film. This key on the first camera was
detachable and easily implacable, so the improved camera and the others that
came after it had the winding keys permanently attached to the camera (Rondeau).
Kodak Brownie "Shoe Box." Image Source: https://www.edisontinfoil.com/kodak/shoe1.jpg |
Kodak Brownie "Shoe Box" disassembled. Image Source: https://www.edisontinfoil.com/kodak/shoe3.jpg |
Although it should be pointed out that the improved variation also had some slight changes, such as: “a hinged back with a sliding metal locking latch on top…” (Rondeau).
Kodak "Improved" Brownie. Image Source: https://www.edisontinfoil.com/kodak/brow00.jpg |
This camera was later replaced by the No. 1 Brownie Camera in 1901, which had an identical look to the improved Shoe Box Brownie (BCG & Photography).
Kodak Brownie No. 1 & Model B. Image Source: https://www.brownie-camera.com/51.jpg |
The Brownies comic by Palmer Cox. Image Source: https://box01.comicbookplus.com/viewer/34/34f601fada3c387fc4340c8192694b3e/0.jpg |
This
series was a massive success, with the series manufacturing 125 different
models (Reddy 2021) between 1900-1986 with the last official Brownie camera
being the Brownie II 110 camera (BCG & Photography).
Kodak Brownie II Camera. Image Source: https://www.brownie-camera.com/5-2.jpg |
And in those 86 years, this camera series has been one of the most important camera series in documenting history, from Bernice Palmer using her Brownie camera in 1912, to take pictures of around 700 surviving passengers of the sinking of the Titanic to it even being taking with to war, when in 2014 series of photographs were found, taken by Hubert Ottaway during 1920 in WWI, documenting the destruction of towns and villages (Reddy 2021).
There
were not only box cameras available, but a limited number of Brownie Folding
cameras (1904-1926), such as the 3A Folding Brownie camera, 8mm motion picture
Brownie Cameras in the late 1950s (Oshawa Museum 2012), such as the Brownie
Movie Camera f/2.7 (BrownieCam 2024) and even Solid Brownie cameras (BrownieCam
2024), which were also Bakelite Mini-cams that took 127 film (see The
Utility Falcon Model F post for more information), such as the Brownie 127
model 2 (Vintage Camera Deals 2024).
3A Folding Brownie Camera. Image Source: https://licm.org.uk/scans/Kodak-3A-F_Brownie.gif |
Brownie 8mm Movie Camera f/2.7. Image Source: https://www.browniecam.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Brownie-8mm-27-movie-2.jpg |
Brownie 127 Model 2 Camera. Image Source: https://vintagecameradeals.co.za/image/cache/catalog/vintagecameradeals/products/vintage_camera_deals_VCD_stock_638-350x350.JPG |
The
Brownie Camera is very important to photography because it changed the way we
view taking pictures. No longer would it be considered a hobby for the rich and
elite, but a way to capture happy and important moments in one’s life. As
Rosenberg (2018) puts it: “The next time you point your smartphone at a sunset,
snap a group of friends on a night out or position yourself just so for a
selfie, you might want to give silent thanks to George Eastman…” because it not
only made “Eastman a rich man. It forever changed the culture. Soon, handheld
cameras of all sorts would hit the market, making possible vocations like
photojournalist and fashion photographer, and giving artists yet another medium
with which to express themselves. These cameras also gave everyday people an
affordable, accessible way to document the important moments of their
lives, whether formal or spontaneous and preserve them for future
generations.”
Now
for a look at the object of this post, the Brownie Model 1 Camera. The Model 1
only had a two year run (BCG & Photography) when it was released in
1957-1959 (The Old Album) and is described as a “metal body box camera” that has
“a Morocco grained imitation cover. It has two brilliant finders and a
horizontally striped front panel…” (BCG & Photography).
It was based off of the Brownie six-20 Model C, 1946-1957, which seems to work the same way as the Model 1, with the only difference being that the Model 1 had a “less bright lens” (Halgand 2022).
Brownie Six-20 Model C camera. Image Source: http://www.collection-appareils.fr/kodak/images/brownie620c.jpg |
What
is even more interesting is that the Model 1 was, as it seems, improved upon when
Kodak released the Brownie Flash II in 1958-62 (BrownieCam 2024). The Flash II,
looks and operates the same as the Model 1 with the only differences being “the
addition of side contacts for connecting a flash. It also has
a close -up lens for taking portraits…” (Halgand 2015).
Brownie Flash II Camera. Image Source: http://www.collection-appareils.fr/kodak/images/067.jpg |
Now
let’s look at the camera at hand, by looking at the front.
First
we will look at the lens.
The
Lens on the Model 1 is a fixed Kodet f/14 Lens (BCG & Photography) that
possibly is also a Meniscus (BrownieCam 2024). Kodet is, from what I can find,
a 75mm lens (LisLisDotNet 2011) that can also be classified as a cheap glass
lens and is “designed for those who didn't care to learn how to use a camera.
These single element, fixed focus lenses lacked any sort of diaphragm control…”
(Camera-Wiki) and as mentioned above a possible meniscus lens, which is
corroborated by Camera-Wiki, which states that it is “a single meniscus type
lens.”
To
learn what a meniscus lens is, you can go to my KODAK
Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera post for more information.
The
aperture is fixed at f/14, but some sources point out that it could be f/11
(BrownieCam) or because it is a Kodet lens could be an f/15 (LisLisDotNet 2011),
which is what most people mention when discussing the lens’ aperture. Although
personally, from what I’ve seen of other camera f/stop settings I think the
aperture is more likely an f/11, that and also the Six-20 that it is based off
of also has is f/11 (Photo Rangers 2020).
It
should also be noted that as The Old Album writes: “It was possible to add a
front lens "Kodisk" No. 370 for close-up photographs.”
Kodisk Kodak No. 370 close-up lens. Image Source: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/6loAAOSwrn9ckB4X/s-l400.jpg |
Above
the lens are two viewfinders.
These
are also known as Brilliant Finders, which are viewfinders that have two lenses
(Collins 2013) and are also known as “Simple reflecting viewfinders, known also
as 'brilliant finders', comprised a small forward-looking lens, a
small mirror at 45° behind it, and a lens at the top; the user held the camera
at waist level and looked down into the lens, where a small image could be seen…”
(Wikipedia).
In
other words, it “possesses a second and larger positive lens in place of
the ground glass screen” which shows images “upright but reversed left to right”
(Collins 2013). This viewfinder is similar to the Agfa
Billy Record 7.7 Pocket Camera.
The
Model 1 has two of these viewfinders. One on top and one on the side. This is
to help the photographer line up the image/object to either take a picture in
portrait mode (top) or landscape mode (side).
Now
let’s look at the side of the camera.
This
is where the landscape mode brilliant finder is and underneath that is the
shutter speed setting lever.
This
has two settings I for Instantaneous and B for Bulb. These letters are a bit
faded, but somewhat still legible.
The
I setting is hard to determine what the speed is, but if we look at its
predecessor the Six-20 which also has and I and B shutter setting, where I has
a speed of 1/50 second (Photo Rangers 2020) and also the Model 1’s improved
variation the Flash II which also has an I and B setting, with the I being also
1/50 second (Peggy 2020), so we can assume that the Model 1 also most likely
has the I setting at the speed of 1/50 second.
The B setting does what so many other cameras I wrote about on this blog and that is to leave the shutter open for as long as the user is holding down the shutter button, which is used to create longer time exposures in low light situations.
Speaking
of the shutter button. It is located under the shutter speed settings.
The
Model 1 uses a Rotary Shutter (BCG & Photography), which is “where a disc
with an angled opening would spin and let in light once per revolution to
expose each frame…” (RED 101 2024).
Diagram of a Rotary Shutter. Image Source: https://www.camarassinfronteras.com/brownie/2f520ba90.jpg |
Next
to the Shutter button is the winding key or film advance knob. This is used
to move the film to the next frame and to also keeps the film holder in place.
On
top of the camera…
Is
the portrait mode brilliant finder and two rivets that holds the leather strap
in place, which this camera is missing.
Brownie Model 1 with strap. Image Source: https://www.brownie-camera.com/31.jpg |
Then
there is the latch or catch, that keeps the flap or cover of the film
compartment enclosed and sealed from any light.
Now
lastly the back…
Is where
the film compartment is. It is covered as mentioned by a cover/flap, which has
a red film window, to let the user know how many shots they have left on the
film.
When
the catch is lifted the cover opens to reveal the film holder, which is held in
place by the winding key. To remove the holder, the user must pull on the
winding key, unlocking it which allows it to be slid out.
The holder is used to hold the film and is described as an “accessory that holds one or more pieces of photographic film, for insertion into a camera…” (Wikipedia).
To
load the film is fairly simple as demonstrated by the instruction manual for
the Brownie Flash II:
Page 2 from Flash II manual. Image Source: https://www.brownie-camera.com/manuals/bflashii.pdf |
Page 3 from Flash II manual. Image Source: https://www.brownie-camera.com/manuals/bflashii.pdf |
The
Model 1 uses 620 film, which was “introduced by Kodak in 1931 as an alternative
to 120 film. 620 film was never able to gain market share on 120 film
likely because professional photographers invested heavily in equipment around
the 120 film size. Kodak discontinued their 620 films in 1995. The only
difference between the 620 and 120 is the film. The 620 roll spool core is
smaller and the end flanges are smaller too.” (Darkroom 2024)
According to Richard Photo Lab, the 620 film has the following specifications: “The film's width is 61mm, and it offers various frame sizes depending on the camera used, including 6x4.5cm, 6x6cm, 6x7cm, and 6x9cm, among others. The primary difference between 620 and 120 film is the spool size, which means that 620 film is not directly compatible with cameras designed for 120 film. However, with some slight modifications or adapters, 120 film can be used in cameras originally meant for 620 film…” and was discontinued in the 1990s.
Size comparison of the 620 film (right) to 120 film (middle) and 35mm film (left). Image Source: https://live.staticflickr.com/7360/12774032373_5be8345679_b.jpg |
Each
620 film roll has either 8, 12 or 16 exposures, it depends on the camera type
(Film Photography Project Store 2024). So, for the Model 1 camera specifically,
which takes a picture size of 2 1/4 X 3 1/4" (BCG & Photography), it
can take up to what appears to be 8, according to the manual (written in
French) and if I translated it correctly from French (The Old Album). Also the
six-20 model C also has according to its manual also 8 exposures as it states
(which I presume the French writing from the Model 1’s manual says): “… and
Unload: After the last picture (No. 8), wind until the end of the paper passes
the red window…” (Kodak Limited London).
620 Film. Image Source: https://cipher.dakiscdn.com/i/https:/1410dd2bdd37e05ebf19-a2305060cc55ab8db83b1ef4b8835a6b.ssl.cf5.rackcdn.com/0-2b-JgMZJPsDOQukUanhg?w=400&h=400&p=1&a=1&q=display |
To
learn how film works please see my Kodak
200 Color Plus Film post.
The
camera, as mentioned can be adapted to use 120 film (to learn more see my Agfa
Clack Film camera post). This means that the camera can still be used and
like the point and shoot cameras (Sounex
YN-9000 Re-usable Camera and
Sinpo PQ-3 Point and Shoot Film Camera) and is a great entry for anyone
wanting to enter the film photography scene, but like the KODAK
Pocket Instamatic 10 Camera, which I also praised for being a good camera
to get when entering the film space, I wouldn’t really recommend it, because of
how hard it is to get the film compared to how easy 35mm film is to get. So try
the Sounex
YN-9000 Re-usable Camera and
Sinpo PQ-3 Point and Shoot Film Camera first.
But
the Model 1 is still a cool camera, with it being “small in the hand for a box
camera yet produces large negatives…” (BCG & Photography), and as a mention
in some of my Kodak posts, this camera fits in with the long line of cameras
that embody Kodak’s vision of making taking pictures as easy and simple as
possible!
As
always, thank you for making it to the end and I hope you enjoyed this as much
as I did researching it.
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List of Sources:
BCG Film &
Photography. Brownie II (110 Cartridge) The Last Brownie Camera. https://www.brownie-camera.com/5-2.shtml
BCG Film &
Photography. Brownie Model 1. https://www.brownie-camera.com/31.shtml
BCG Film &
Photography. No. 1 Brownie. https://www.brownie-camera.com/51.shtml
Bedi, K. 2023. Box Brownie.
https://www.photoion.co.uk/blog/encyclopaedia/box-brownie/
BrownieCam. 2024. Brownie
Movie Camera f/2.7. https://www.browniecam.com/portfolio-items/210-brownie-movie-camera-f-2-7/?portfolioCats=59
BrownieCam. 2024. Brownie
Model I camera front with white border. https://www.browniecam.com/portfolio-items/098-brownie-model-i-camera-front-with-white-border/?portfolioCats=87
BrownieCam. 2024. Kodak
Brownie Cameras. https://www.browniecam.com/#gsc.tab=0
BrownieCam. 2024. Kodak
Brownie Movie Cameras. https://www.browniecam.com/brownie-movie-cameras/
Camera-Wiki. Kodak
Lenses. http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kodak_lenses
Collins, T. Through a
Vintage Lens. https://throughavintagelens.com/tag/brilliant-finder/
Darkroom. 2024. 620
Film. https://thedarkroom.com/film-formats/620-film/
Film Photography
Project Store. 2024. 620 BASIC FILM - 620 Sampler Box (BW - Color). https://filmphotographystore.com/products/620-bw-color-film-kodak-assortment-5-rolls
Halgand, S. 2015. Kodak
Brownie Flash II. http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/appareil-11925-Kodak_Brownie%20Flash%20II.html
Halgand, S. 2022. Kodak
Brownie Model I. http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=496
Halgand, S. 2024. Kodak
Six-20 Brownie Model C. http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/appareil-561.html
Kodak Limited London.
Brownie Flash II. https://www.brownie-camera.com/manuals/bflashii.pdf
Kodak Limited London.
Six-20 Brownie Models C & D 1946 -53. https://www.brownie-camera.com/manuals/six20bmodeld.pdf
LisLisDotNet. 2011. Kodak
Duaflex II: Kodet Fixed Lens. https://www.lomography.com/magazine/88025-kodak-duaflex-ii-kodet-fixed-lens
Oshawa Museum. 2012. The
History of the Kodak Brownie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4qXLLb9yi0
Peggy. 2020. Kodak
Brownie Flash II. https://cameragocamera.com/2020/05/21/kodak-brownie-flash-ii/
Photo Rangers. 2020. Kodak
Six-20 'Brownie' C - Five Frames. https://www.photorangers.com.au/blog/2020/4/25/kodak-six-20-brownie-c-five-frames
Red-101. 2024. Shutter
Angles & Creative Control. https://www.red.com/red-101/shutter-angle-tutorial#:~:text=This%20term%20is%20a%20conceptual,slow%20as%20the%20frame%20rate.
Reddy, P. 2021. Kodak
Brownie - The Historical Camera That Captured Raw, Candid Accounts of the 20th
Century Experience. https://www.artisera.com/blogs/expressions/kodak-brownie-the-historical-camera-that-captured-raw-candid-accounts-of-the-20th-century-experience?srsltid=AfmBOopqcWvXeUefyniGL1BijyQ__Vl1nrXVE01X25iGv4hI0uwRP20p
Richard Photo Lab.
2024. Film Formats: The Beginner's Guide (2023). https://richardphotolab.com/blogs/post/film-types-formats#:~:text=620%20film%20was%20a%20type,spool%20with%20a%20smaller%20diameter.
Rondeau, R. KODAK
IMPROVED BROWNIE 1900. https://www.edisontinfoil.com/kodak/brow00.htm
Rondeau, R. KODAK
ORIGINAL ("Shoe Box") BROWNIE 1900. https://www.edisontinfoil.com/kodak/browshoe.htm
Rosenberg, J. 2018. Learn
How the Brownie Camera Changed Photography Forever. https://www.thoughtco.com/brownie-camera-1779181
The Franklin
Institute. 2023. Kodak Brownie Camera. https://fi.edu/en/science-and-education/collection/kodak-brownie-camera#:~:text=The%20Kodak%20%22Brownie%22%20camera%20made,own%20%22snapshots%22%20as%20well.
The Old Album. KODAK
Ltd - Brownie Model I (1957 - 1959). http://vieilalbum.com/BrownieModele1US.htm
Vintage Camera Deals.
Kodak Brownie 127 Camera Black bakelite strap vintage film camera. https://vintagecameradeals.co.za/Kodak-Brownie-127-Camera-Black-bakelite-strap-vintage-film-camera
Wikipedia. Viewfinder.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viewfinder#:~:text=Simple%20reflecting%20viewfinders%2C%20known%20also,small%20image%20could%20be%20seen.
Wikipedia. Film Holder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_holder