Brownie and similar cameras

2F/2F

I love my Brownie No. 2 (6x9 on 120 film), but I have had some questions about it that seemingly don't have a lot of answers. I also am very interested in seeing the work of members who shoot with these cameras, and perhaps finding a small network of people with whom to trade historical info, modifications/improvements, and parts or whole cameras.

I am having problems with mine right now, but hope to have it up and running again soon. The red window leaks light like a sieve, and the pressure spring that keeps the take up reel wound tightly has broken off.
 

Valerie

I have loads of old Brownies and such. Just need a little "nudge" to take them out.....
 

Akki14

You might as well buy a new Brownie rather than fix a broken one. They're common and cheap at least over here. Go for the No.2 Model F if you want tripod sockets to go with your bulb mode (wow, really, they went that many models having Bulb mode and yet no tripod sockets...). I've been vaguely playing with the portrait lens I bought for my Brownie(s) for 50p at a camera show. It's taking some time to get used to 5ft as being "close" ...
 

cordeliaflyte

Hi 2F. I'm always willing to rescue a very-old-camera... well, if it's free or less than $5. I have several Brownie box cameras kicking around, and love them too. I love that something cardboard can work after 100 years. I believe I have a No. 2, like you, that takes 120 film, but it's missing a winding knob, I think. Easy enough to patch up, but it hasn't gotten itself on the project table yet. I do have a scan of a photo I took with a very similar Brownie box camera (the No. 0) that's a little smaller and takes 127 film. I'll post it to this group.

The long formats of some of those old cameras are spectacular. I have an old Folding Hawkeye that takes 6x9 on 120. It's a great size.

You can find a scan of the manual for your No 2 here

You can find a photo of the original box this camera came in here

(You can also waste hours on both of these websites learning about old cameras!)

Try a bit of gaffers tape over the red window (just peak under it quickly when you're winding). The spring sounds like an easy fix with tape and some bit of something (bent paper clips?). But like Akki says, these cameras are also kind of a dime a dozen, so you might also want to just look for another and/or use one or the other for parts.

Have fun!

annie (aka cordelia)
 

Guillaume Zuili

I have always wanted to play with these. Very interested to see some pictures too. I already like this one Annie.
G.
 

Guillaume Zuili

Didn't figure out how to add a pic here. Posted two on the gallery.
 

Rolleiflexible

I was just bemoaning the
lack of a Brownie Club on
APUG ... then saw this
group. I've just started
shooting Brownies. Glad
to see a cult thriving here.
 

mhcfires

I have a Brownie Target Six-20 which I use regularly. I respool 120 film onto 620 spools and take my eight shots. I develop it myself. I also recently picked up a Brownie No3A Folding Camera. I will be using that next.
 

Guillaume Zuili

John, You already blow my mind with your Graflex... I want to see what you are going to do with a Brownie !
 

Rolleiflexible

Okay, I made another foray into the
Wonderful World of Brownie -- a
Portrait Brownie from the UK. So
far as I can tell, it's a No. 2 Model
F with a built-in portrait diopter,
made only in the UK. I shot it today
up on the roof and posted a scan:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

The blur isn't the lens -- it was a 1+
second exposure, and it was a very
blustery day so everything was in
motion, Melanie included.

Sanders
 

Akki14

Aw, I wish I had a model on hand like that. I bought a portrait lens to stick on my No. 2 Brownie(s), it came in a little tin and cost £0.25. Using bulb mode, some waxed paper and a candle, I figured the portrait lens means you can shoot no closer than about 5 feet.
 

SteveinAlaska

I just finished cleaning my No.2 Brownie F and it only took one cup of coffee to do it. I made a replacement mirror and used a few dabs of flat black model paint to cover the shiny spots inside. I am going to use a roll of Ilford Delta 100 for a start, but I am thinking that Ilford Pan F 50 might work better. Also have some Kodak Portra 400VC and 160VC for color. So the first question is.... what is your choice of film???
 

filmamigo

Hi all,

I just picked up a Brownie Starflex in nice condition with the flash.

I have a roll of 127 in the fridge waiting for this camera! Can't wait to see the results. I suspect it will give any Holga a run for their money...
 
OP
OP

2F/2F

It'll be a lot nicer than the Holga, for sure. All of these old point and shoots are.
 

B&Jdude

Hello, folks. I just found this group forum . . . odd coincidence since I went out today and burnt up a bunch of film with a Brownie 2F, a 2E, and two No. 1 Panorams. I'm in the early learning stage with these old boxes, so I will be an attentive student here!

EuGene Smith (aka Smiff)
Arkansas hillbilly
 

Akki14

Okay maybe colour film at the right time of day in a Brownie is fantastic... (see pictures in group)
 

mhcfires

Am looking for some size 122 film for my Brownie 3A Folder. I need it for the backing paper and the spool. I'm going to get some 5inch aerial film and cut it down to fit. This camera is in great shape, has a really good lens.
 

tony lockerbie

I have many Brownies, my favourite is the No.2 Portrait, and enjoy using them. In fact I thought I was the only one still doing so! post some shots soon.
Tony
 

B&Jdude

Tony, I, too, have several Brownies and didn't know who else, if anyone, was taking pictures with them. Then, I recently stumbled into this Brownie forum and found a bunch of fellow travellers.

Now, I see from looking at the right side of my screen, that I am the only one there whose picture is a question mark. Inasmuch as I don't know anything about computers, and even less about digital pictures, I haven't a clue as to how to put a picture on there in place of the question mark.

Probably in this day and age, a Luddite such as I is probably represented more accurately by that symbol than anything else . . . a most fitting avatar!

Smiff
 

B&Jdude

Sorry if I keep sending messages, but this group has been rather quiet, and I would like to learn all I can about Brownies from folks who have more experience with them than I, a fairly new user.

I have 6 No. 2 Brownies and would like to know:

1. The focal length and aperture of the lens.

2. The value of the three f stops available on the pull-out thing.

3. What the approximate shutter speed should be if it is working correctly.

4. Any other hints, tricks, & techniques about using and maintaining them that are not covered in the Brownie manual.
 

B&Jdude

P.S. Toney Lockerbie: Let us know when you put the No. 2 Brownie "test/user's report" on your web site.

EuGene
 
OP
OP

2F/2F

Hi, Eugene.

Best to just experiment with a few rolls.

I would start by shooting a 25-50 ISO film in good weather, and going from there. If you live somewhere where the sun doesn't shine clearly that often, maybe start with a 100 film instead.

In the sun, a 400 film can get printable shots, though they will be quite thick.

The lens seems slightly wider than normal to me. Perhaps 90-100mm equivalent or so, which is slightly wide for the format, although I really have no clue what the FL actually is.

BTW, if you want to thin the herd, let me know.
 

B&Jdude

2F/2F: I have all the brownies loaded with 100, 200, & 400 ISO film (didn't have any 25 or 50 stuff) so plan to go out and shoot some test shots. I do expect that I will need to keep some tape over the red/orange window to hold down flare . . . opening it only briefly to advance the film.

I mentioned over on the APUG Camera Building & Modification Forum about putting a foam or velvet "donut" around the window on the inside of my Kodak Panorams to keep the flare from filling the body and coming around the edge of the film. I will probably try the same thing with my Brownies, too.

Too early to thin the No 2 herd, but I do have a red No. 2A model B Rainbow Hawkeye that I have no use for whatsoever as it uses that expensive 116 film. It is basically the same camera as a 2A Brownie except that it has only the B setting pull tab . . . no selectable apertures . . . and the guts come out the with the camera front rather than via a rear door.

It would make a nice shelf queen for a collector, as the 120 film No. 2 models at about $10 - $20 each are the only practical users . . . unless one just loves paying $25 - $30 per roll for type 116 film! :eek:

Smiff
 
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