Kodak Brownie Model 1 Camera

 

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 name Brownie, came from the children’s comic with the same name, even go so far as to making the characters from the comic (The Brownies by Palmer Cox) the mascots for the camera’s marketing campaign (Reddy 2021) and also because the inventor of the camera series was Frank Brownell (The Franklin Institute 2023). One reason for the name being the same as a children’s comic, could be to point out how easy the camera is to use. It is as if Kodak is telling the public that this camera is so easy to use, even a child can take pictures with it.

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.

If you want to help this site out, please consider joining my Patreon: patreon.com/OnlineCurator

https://patreon.com/OnlineCurator?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

Please see the Please help this site post on this blog, for more information.

If you want to help in another way, well I have opened a shop on Displate, where you can own a piece of the Online Museum. There I will have the drawings you see at the start of every blog which you can now buy and proudly display in your home.

As of this post there is only one poster, but more will be coming soon, so please keep this link booked marked:

https://displate.com/BFennSW?art=66e809bf952d9  

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