Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie camera II f/2.3

Good news! My Displate store is online with 10 posters and more on the way.

So for a metal print of my drawings on Displate: https://displate.com/artist/BFennSW?art=66e809bf952d9

Please note that I have closed my Picfair store, but you can now buy my pictures on my Patreon: patreon.com/OnlineCurator 

Thank you for the support. Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled programming:

This post will be looking at another of Kodak’s popular camera series, the Brownie series. But unlike the other cameras on this post, this camera is an 8mm movie camera. This is the Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie camera II f/2.3.

 

I went over Kodak’s story in my 200 Color Plus film and Instamatic Pocket 10 posts. And I did go through the history of the Brownie series in my Brownie Model 1 post. So with that, let’s get into the meat and potatoes of this camera at hand.

There isn’t a lot on the history of the Brownie motion capture cameras and all I can find is that Kodak was following the trend of the time which was the rise in popularity of the 8mm film cameras. And in the 1950s Kodak released a few 8mm cameras with the tagline: “Make family members into movie stars” (Oshawa Museum 2012).

The first 8mm camera released seems to be the Brownie Movie Camera f/2.7 (BCG Film and Photography) which was released in 1956 (antidj.golffront.baby 2025). Which was then followed up by the same camera, but this time with an f/stop of 1.9 (BCG Film and Photography).

Brownie Movie Camera f/2.7. Image Source:
https://images.offerup.com/QXwkjJx5ReGI5dooupaoAVqGeuM=/674x900/64b8/64b84e24985c41228f186cb12dcb36a1.jpg

Brownie Movie Camera f/1.9. Image Source:
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/cqIAAOSw9-JfqgAB/s-l1200.jpg

There are only a handful of 8mm Brownie cameras and they all seem to have a similar design, with only a few changes. Such as f/stops, as seen above. Then there are changes to the position of the film counter. Usually it is on the front, but with the Brownie 8, which is on the side of the camera (FilmPhotographyProject 2020).

Brownie 8 Movie Camera. Image Source:
https://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/IULMIA/files/original/812fc6dbdf1233190d17b7a73b5db958.JPG

Then there are other changes such as the Brownie Movie Camera Turret f/1.9, which “…came in a turret style which meant that it had the option of three differing lenses wide regular and telephoto…” (Oshawa Museum 2012).

Brownie Movie Camera Turret f/1.9. Image Source:
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/WDoAAOSwyf9lf0yO/$_57.JPG?set_id=880000500F

Then there were also special edition sets, such as the “Special model: white and gold Brownie Movie Camera in Kodak Movie Gift Kit designed as a wedding gift…” in 1958-1959 (BCG Film and Photography).

And many others, finally ending with the Brownie Fun Saver Movie camera (BCG Film and Photography) in 1962-1967 (Museums Victoria Collections 2005).

Brownie Fun Saver. Image Source:
https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/content/media/30/1089580-small.jpg

These cameras, like most of Kodak’s catalogue, are easy to use, compact and simple. Also, I should mention that this was not Kodak’s first 8mm camera, that title goes to the Ciné-Kodak Eight Model 20 in 1932, the 8mm version of Kodak’s 16mm Ciné-Kodak in 1923 (Wikipedia).

Cine-Kodak Eight Model 20. Image Source:
https://collectiblend.com/Cameras/images/Kodak-Eastman-Cine-Kodak-Eight-Model-20.jpg

Anyway, that is the most useful information I could find, so let’s jump right into the camera at hand.

The Kodak Brownie 8mm Movie camera II f/2.3 was manufactured in 1956-1960 (BCG Film and Photography). It is made from a combination of plastic and metal and has a weight of 0,750kg and a size of 57x95x157 cm (Kodak Verzameling 2025). Making it just a bit bigger than the Chinon Pocket 8.

There was also a second version with an f/stop of 2.7, 1956-1958 (BCG Film and Photography). which I will discuss in the next post! There also seems to be a UK version with a f/stop of 1.9 (Kodak Verzameling 2025).

Brownie 8mm Camera II f/2.7. Image Source:
https://assets.lastdodo.com/image/ld_large/plain/assets/catalog/assets/2014/2/4/5/b/9/pdf_5b9c5838-8d9b-11e3-99fa-3d2400dd0dc7.jpg

 

Brownie 8mm Movie Camera II f/1.9. Image Source:
https://primary.jwwb.nl/public/n/r/a/temp-xmmqfrlttbhrujcdemek/337gav/KodakBrownie8mmf19serie2.jpg?enable-io=true&enable=upscale&crop=1920%2C2750%2Cx0%2Cy0%2Csafe&width=800&height=1146

Now let’s have a closer look. Starting with the front.

The lens-

Which is a 13mm 2.3 Cine-Ektanon lens (ACMI). A Cine-Ektanon lens is a lens that was made by Kodak and uses a combination of deferent pieces of glass. 

Cine-Ektanon lens diagram. Image Source:
https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01458/01458.pdf

And according to Kodak (Pacific Rim Cameras) themselves these lenses:

“…are those which qualify-without reservation- as the finest ever made for 16mm and 8mm cameras. In every way, they merit the distinction. Even at widest aperture, Kodak Cine Ektar Lenses meet the highest standards of definition, edge-to edge sharpness, and flatness of field. Every internal detail contributes to the reduction of flare... to the transmission of a maximum of image-forming light. All glass-air surfaces are Lumenized; lens rims are blackened; mounts are corrugated; flanges are bevelled. And for convenience and precision - aperture scales are widely and evenly spaced... integral depth-of-field scales show the range of good focus at all openings... evenly graduated distance permit remarkably accurate focusing.”

The lens, like the Chinon 8 and the Argus A can take adaptors (Pacific Rim Cameras), such a Converter lenses.

Cine-Ektanon adapters/converter lenses. Image Source:
https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01458/01458.pdf

Next to the lens is the f/stop settings.

The settings are made with a wheel or dial. On the dial is the numerical value of each turn.

Next to the dial is the pointer, which indicates the different light conditions that correspond to each f/stop number.

One will also note that the pointer can be set on the line dividing the light condition sections, it is unclear to what the number values are of these lines, all we know is that they are half stops.

Then on the indicator where the pointer is there are three indicators:

“…the wedge-shaped pointer is for Kodachrome film, Daylight Type; the dot and line, also on the inner dial, are for black-and-white-films…”

This camera, like the Fancy DX-3, Sinpo PQ-3, Brownie No.2, Beau Brownie and the Agfa 54, has a multi-hole aperture. For each turn and setting a different size hole will be aligned over the lens opening. The f/stop settings are 2.3, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11 and 16. The half stops (white dots) start after 2.8 and are between the indicated numbers. There are a total of five half stops.

Then underneath that is the film counter, which like the Chinon 8, measures the length of the film and measures in feet (FilmPhotographyProject 2023).

It starts at 25 and when this is done it goes shows and E and when loading it shows an L.

Next to that is the exposure lever. This like the Chinon, has to be held down to turn the crank to expose each frame and open the shutter.

Speaking of… the shutter speed, according to the manual is 1/35 second or 16 fps. The shutter is most likely a disk rotary shutter (see the Disk 8000 post).

The top-

Here is the viewfinder, known as a “flip-up bombsite viewfinder” (Ollinger). 

It is similar to the wire viewfinder on the Ensign All-distance Twenty, but a bit more intricate.

For this viewfinder had three different colour indicators to help the user to correctly frame the subject when using different lenses or converter lenses. Each colour represents three types of lenses and is known as a tri-field front finder. And according to the manual: red is to frame when using the standard 13mm lens, green is for a wide-angle lens and orange is for telephoto lenses.

These frames are used by looking through the back piece known as the “Peep sight” (according to the manual).

Bottom-

Is the tripod socket.

Then on the left side-

Is the winding key. This is used to windup the camera and prepare it to turn the crank. To uses it, one must turn the key clockwise until it gets very tight. Then the user holds in the exposure button. According to FilmPhotographyProject (2023), each turn allows for 30 seconds of run time.

Then finally the other side-

Here is the film compartment cover. On this cover is a cold shoe plate to hold a light or flood lamp.

Advertisement for a Brownie Movie camera flash/lamp. 
Image Source:
https://clickamericana.com/wp-content/uploads/Vintage-Kodak-Brownie-movie-cameras-from-1956-2.jpg

Next to that is the holder where the exposure guide would be. The guide is a silver piece of paper, that came with the film and is inserted in this holder by the user themselves.

The guide essentially: “…shows the proper lens opening to use under daylight or flood lamp conditions with Kodachrome Film Daylight or Kodachrome Film Type A…” according to the manual.

2 examples of the exposure guides. Image Source:
https://live.staticflickr.com/5011/5395641172_48e007e241_b.jpg

Then next to that is the cover latch, that holds the cover in place. To lock/unlock the user slides the latch towards the designated position.

Then there is the film compartment-

There are two spools. The top corner is where the film spool is inserted, this spindle is stationary. The bottom corner is for the empty spool, this spindle is the one that moves and is the crank that moves the film and exposes it.

The film is held in place and exposed by the gate, the piece near the lens.

To load the film, one must follow these steps:

Page 5 from the manual.

Page 6 & 7 from the manual. 

Page 8 & 9 from the manual.

This camera came with some film. This film is known as Double 8 film. It is called Double 8 because it is a two sided 8mm film (Mediafix 2023). This means that you “…Shoot side one, flip the film and shoot side two…” (Film Photography Project Store 2025). To put it in other terms: “During development, the strip is cut in half and joined together to form a film…” (Mediafix 2023).

This film was introduced by Kodak in 1932 with their Ciné-Kodak Eight cameras and as the exposure meter shows came in rolls of 25 feet, but later 50 feet rolls were released (Home Movie Depot 2006).

The differences between 8mm and Double 8 film is that Double 8 has twice the number of sprocket holes (Mediafix 2023) and is twice as wide.

8mm vs Double 8 film. Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/8mm_and_super8_and_double8.png/1200px-8mm_and_super8_and_double8.png

When the film is developed, it is cut length wise and then spliced together, to make one long 8mm film (Mediafix 2023).

An example of Double 8 film that has been developed, posted by Phil Vigeant.
Image Source:
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1740/4253/files/Screen_Shot_2020-06-05_at_9.38.04_AM_large.png?v=1591375121

To learn more about the history of 8mm film please see my Cragstan 8mm Projector and to learn how film works, see my 200 Color Plus post.

And that is that. This camera is an interesting and wonderful camera. And as I have written in almost every post concerning Kodak, this camera captures Kodak’s goal to make photography as easy as possible.

Not only is it so easy to use, but the Double 8 film helps save time and money. It is a camera I would recommend for anyone who is experimenting with film, that is if you can find Double 8 film stock! But normal 8mm can be used.

The only drawback for me is that I don’t really like the look of the camera. It just feels and looks bland. Then there is also the viewfinder that is slightly misaligned with the lens and too far away from the lens as well.

But other than that, it is an amazing piece of machinery and perfect addition to anyone’s collection.

What do you think? Do you like the look? Do you think the Double 8 film is an advantage or disadvantage? Or do you think that Super 8 cameras, like the Chinon Pocket 8  or VHS like the Panasonic M5 or even the VHS-C, like the Philips Explorer is the way to go? Or do you think we as a society should stick with digital film cameras? Let me know in the comments.

And 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

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

Or if you want to help in another way, please visit my Displate Store. Thank you for the support.

List of sources:

ACMI. Brownie Movie Camera model 2. https://www.acmi.net.au/works/99563--kodak-brownie-f19-improved-model-ii-8mm-movie-camera-with-case/

antidj.golffront.baby. 2025. Brownie Movie Camera f/2.7. https://antidj.golffront.baby/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1317851

BCG Film and Photography. The List of Brownie Movie Cameras & Brownie Movie Projectors. https://www.brownie-camera.com/moviecam.shtml

Collections Library Indiana. Brownie Movie Camera f/1.9 f/2.3 manual. https://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/IULMIA/files/original/7827fcf0d5761df530d543fc4fabe759.pdf

FilmPhotographyProject. 2020. Kodak Brownie 8 f2.7 8mm (Double 8) Movie Camera – Overview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQrDbkIz2QI

FilmPhotographyProject. 2023. Kodak Brownie Model II 8mm Movie Camera - Overview / Loading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=H3i0izD6kUo

Film Photography Project Store. 2025. Double 8 Film - Cine8 BW Reversal 100 ISO (25 ft). https://filmphotographystore.com/products/regular-8-film-foma-r100-bw-reversal-film-double-8

Home Movie Depot. 2006. 8mm Film History. https://www.homemoviedepot.com/film/8mm/history.html

Kodak Verzameling. 2025. Kodak Movie Cameras. https://www.kodakverzameling.nl/kodak-movie-camera-s-projectors

Mediafix. 2023. The Normal 8 or Double 8 format. https://mediafix.co.uk/blog/the-normal-8-or-double-8-format/?srsltid=AfmBOoqc6_JO2zKGYy3tYjqujlLJAQmtoDFGCnBDqnmSPZNXDYpx4ILF

Museums Victoria Collections. Movie Camera - Kodak, Brownie Fun Saver, circa 1962 – 1967. https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/2082845

Ollinger, J. Kodak Brownie Automatic ƒ/2.3. http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/movie/cameras/Kodak_Brownie_Auto23.html

Oshama Museum. 2012. The History of the Kodak Brownie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4qXLLb9yi0

Pacific Rim Camera. Kodak Cine Ektar Lenses. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/01458/01458.pdf

Wikipedia. Ciné-Kodak. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cin%C3%A9-Kodak