Brownie Camera help please

[sikiguya]

Can anyone tell me the model of this Eastman Brownie Camera? I have searched on the internet for the model but nothing looks exactly like this one with the view finder in the middle. Inside is stamped Feb 1, 1916 (or 1918). I know it is missing the carrying handle on the top. It also takes 120 film. I can add more pictures if someone needs them for ID purposes.

Hubby found this at a garage sale for $1.50. It's in quite good condition. We have several vintage cameras on display in our bookshelves and thought this would add to it. We are just trying to figure out which is the oldest in our collection and I think this one might be it.

Thanks!

Heather

 

[sikiguya]

A side view

Here is the side view of the camera.

 

[DADoES]

I dunno anything about them but those are cool. My dad had a newer model, but I think still called Brownie, that took 126 film (I think) and had a flash.

 

[sikiguya]

Thanks!

I should take some pics of our other ones and show you those too. Maybe this afternoon after I get back from taking the kids everywhere.

 

[drmitch]

I love the Brownies too Heather! heres a link to the Brownie page where you should be able to anwser your question about the date. there are other links there too.

 

[kevinpreston8]

drmitch, never knew....

Fellow camera collector I see!

I didn't realize, like many people, that Brownie was used on a whole line of both still and movie cameras. My mom had a "Hawkeye Model" when I was a kid, but it always took rather fuzzy pictures.

When I got older and started collecting, I always wondered why the camera didn't do well. I bought a Hawkeye, exactly the model she had, took it apart, cleaned it, and shot some pictures of it. I was stunned how good they were. You can still get 127 film, and respooled film for 620 formats. Even though these simple cameras have little controls on them, I was shocked at what I got back with this camera. Heather, you will love yours.

Here is my camera:

 

[kevinpreston8]

Pictures taken

The one of the car is outside, steadied camera on my stomach, and just took the picture. Look at the depth of field and focus. I could not believe it. This was with old 200 speed film, and remember this is a digital camera picture of a film print--not even scanned--and still looks great.

The picture of my table setting (yes, I know, not very colorful) was really a test shot of the manual exposure. On these cameras, you can slide the side switch up, and have an exposure as long as you hold the shutter release down. I did this one in a very dim room, put the camera on the counter, and counted three seconds.

I still wish I had my mom's original. She gave it away, along with flash arm, bulbs, all in a vintage Pan Am carry on bag.

 

[drmitch]

Oops! heres the link!

THE BROWNIE CAMERA PAGE - All About Eastman Kodak Brownie Cameras

The Brownie Camera Page offers history, galleries, tutorials, and helps you find out what camera you just found in the attic. It's all about Eastman Kodak Brownie Camera. Created and maintained by Chuck Baker.

www.brownie-camera.com