Cleaning my Kodak Brownie Reflex Synchro Model.

Larrea · Jan 29, 2020

Hi:
I must disassemble my camera for cleaning, but I don't have a service manual.

The camera and the objective.

The viewfinder and the viewfinder objective.

The viewfinder could be disassembled with some security to return everything to its place, but reaching the objective lenses forces me to remove the shutter, and that worries me.
There is everything. Shutter, flash sync, mode I and B command, and the shutter button. Everything.

It seems that by removing the three screws, the entire shutter would come out as a block, but I have my doubts.
I fear that small pieces fly out surprisingly.
Further:
How do you remove the shutter button?
Is there any type of gasket between the front and the back of the camera body?

If someone disarmed and assembled successfully, I would appreciate guiding me.
Regards
Eduardo Larrea

shutterfinger · Jan 29, 2020

These are fairly simple cameras. The instruction manual can be downloaded from https://www.brownie-camera.com/ . The description says it has a rotary shutter, likely a spring loaded disk with slots in it that rotates with a push of the shutter button. Each push turns the shutter for 1 exposure. Again, very simple. The two screws on the top of the camera should allow the view plate to be removed giving access to the reflex mirror, rear of the view lens, and under side of the view window. The 3 screws on the inside of the camera on the backside of the taking lens should allow access to the lens and shutter. A spider might come running out or a moth might fly out but nothing more.

I have had Brownie box cameras apart before but not this model.

Larrea · Feb 19, 2020

Thank you.
One day that I am relaxed and have enough courage, I will dare to disarm. : D
I will try to take photos or video of the process.
But:
Please, if anyone has the Service Manual, let me know.

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 13, 2020

Hello Eduardo. You can remove the two upper Philips screws of the shutter block and the metallic plate will come out. Nothing will fly out, don't be afraid of this.
A word of caution: You should have the camere laid on table surface with the lenses down, otherwise a part will fall out of the shutter assembly, but in this case you can very easily put it back into its place again.
The point is that the shutter mechanism does not allow access to the inner side of the taking lens for cleaning. I am still trying to figure out a way to do so.
I have fully disassembled the camera except for the taking lens, which in my case needs cleaning from the inside. Shutterfinger's advice is correct.
Feel free to ask me anything, if I can be of any help.

Vangelis

Larrea · Apr 13, 2020

Dear Vangelis
Coincidentally, just yesterday, I found on the blog
https://blog.jimgrey.net/2007/07/04/brownie-reflex-synchro-model/
the comment of a user named IANP, who on January 6, 2015 stated:

"The lens is a simple friction fit and can be extracted from the front of the camera with no disassembly required. It should be possible to use something like a tape with strong glue to remove it. Failing that, setting the camera to B, holding the shutter open and using a toothpick to gently push the lens out should do the trick.

The lens is held within a plastic / bakelite ring mount and once removed you can very easily clean the lens compartment. The lens is then simply pushed back into place. "

I do not know ... Seen with a magnifying glass from the front, it does not seem that this is the way of assembly and disassembly ...
I have no information about the lens material. So I don't know if I would dare push her to try it.
Perhaps the third screw (the SL type slot screw) is related ...

If you could post some images it would be great.
Thank you very much

Eduardo

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 14, 2020

Hello Eduardo,
Thank you very much for your reply.
I attach some pics from the dismantling I did for your help.
I tried to clean the lens from behind by inserting a toothpick with some lens cleaning paper,
The lens is half clean now. However, I tried to push it out of the camera but to no availl.
The search goes on. If I figure out anything else I will notify you.
Feel free to ask me anything.

Vangelis

shutterfinger · Apr 14, 2020

i would use a cotton swab in place of the tooth pick to clean the back of the lens.

BAC1967 · Apr 14, 2020

This was my mothers old camera, I don't remember if I dug as deep as you when I cleaned it but it did clean up quite nice. I do remember taking the top off to clean the viewfinder.

The lens is sharp in the center but quite soft in the corners. It's a fun camera, enjoy it.

Kodak Brownie Reflex by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Shipwreck Point by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Classic Car Graveyard by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 14, 2020

Shutterfinger you are right and that's what I did. I forgot to mention though that my toothpicks have one flat end and by means of this I was able to wipe the cleaning solution off the lens without leaving any lint. But prior to this I used a cotton swab with much of its cotton trimmed off so that it could pass through the shutter hole. Further to that, I bent the swab's end to form an L shape in order to better wipe the inner meniscus' surface. And finally the lens is acceptably cleaned. When the hardware stores will be open again here in Athens, I will go to a glassworks shop to ask them cut a replacement part for the viewing mirror.

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 14, 2020

Bryan your mother's camera is the 1940 model (not the Synchro one) and is a beauty!! I like your photos!

BAC1967 · Apr 14, 2020

Vangelis Vassalakis said:
Bryan your mother's camera is the 1940 model (not the Synchro one) and is a beauty!! I like your photos!

Thanks Vangelis, I didn't realize there were two models of this camera. It looks like the model I have was only made from 1940 to 1942, after adding the Synchro flash they made them up until as late as 1960 in the UK. Good luck getting yours cleaned up, I think I cleaned the rear lens element on mine the same way you described with the cotton swab.

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 14, 2020

Thank you very much Bryan!

shutterfinger · Apr 14, 2020

Vangelis Vassalakis said:
When the hardware stores will be open again here in Athens, I will go to a glassworks shop to ask them cut a replacement part for the viewing mirror.

Check ebay in your area for first surface mirror or front surface mirror as this is the type of mirror used in many/most cameras for their reflex mirror. A seller here in the US will custom cut if needed.

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 15, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Check ebay in your area for first surface mirror or front surface mirror as this is the type of mirror used in many/most cameras for their reflex mirror. A seller here in the US will custom cut if needed.

Thank you very much Shutterfinger.

Larrea · Apr 15, 2020

Vangelis:
Thank you very much for this great contribution.
Very good photos. They will allow me to disarm more calmly.

shutterfinger:
Yes. I suppose that, speaking of glasses, all care is little.

Bryan:
It is always a pleasure to see such old cameras in such good condition and working so well. Congratulations! Very good photos.
I didn't think the quality would be that good.

There are several Kodak service manuals on this site, but of other models.
https://www.browniecam.com/service-manuals-for-brownie-cameras/
I'm going to start comparing the images, in case any of the shutters are the same.

Millions of cameras of these models left the factory.
I can't believe I can't find a service manual...
I'll keep an eye on this.
Thank you all for your contributions.

Vangelis Vassalakis · Apr 15, 2020

Larrea said:
Vangelis:
Thank you very much for this great contribution.
Very good photos. They will allow me to disarm more calmly.

shutterfinger:
Yes. I suppose that, speaking of glasses, all care is little.

Bryan:
It is always a pleasure to see such old cameras in such good condition and working so well. Congratulations! Very good photos.
I didn't think the quality would be that good.

There are several Kodak service manuals on this site, but of other models.
https://www.browniecam.com/service-manuals-for-brownie-cameras/
I'm going to start comparing the images, in case any of the shutters are the same.

Millions of cameras of these models left the factory.
I can't believe I can't find a service manual...
I'll keep an eye on this.
Thank you all for your contributions.

You are very welcome Eduardo!
We will stay in touch.

Bud Hamblen · Apr 15, 2020

The mirror on the Brownie Reflex is a second surface mirror, just like your bathroom mirror. Cleaning the front takes nothing special.

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 25, 2024

Resurrecting this oldish thread... I found a Brownie Reflex at a second hand store for a couple loonies. The viewing lens was filthy and lying inside the camera. Taking lens was pretty grubby looking on the outside. Following the above pics (thank you Vangelis), I easily took the camera apart, cleaned the viewing lens, stuck it back with plastic holding ring. Mirror was filthy, so gave it a cleaning. Inside of taking lens was pretty clean, so I left it alone. The open/close latch on back of camera wasn't locking. I noticed that it was slightly bent, so I bent it back a bit and Bob's your uncle. Put camera back together. Checked the shutter with my phone app shutter tester, and it's pretty darn close to 1/50th. Once the bloody postal strike is over here (come on guys! My passport is sitting in limbo now!), I'll order some 127 film from B&H, and give this little gem a spin!

Cleaning my Kodak Brownie Reflex Synchro Model.

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