Kodak Hawk-eye...

[ABedOfCans]

I'm putting this here because it says it takes 120 film, so I assume it's medium format.

My mom just gave me a Kodak Hawk-Eye No. 2 Folding Cartridge Model C that was lying around. I looked it up on the kodak brownie site and it said it was made in the 1930's. It looks really dusty and I might need to take some WD-40 to it, but I was wondering if anyone knew anymore information about it and how do I load the film and take pictures with it?

 

[DBP]

According to McKeown's, it does take 120 film. Assuming the bellows are intact, you should be able to take pictures with it. I would advise against any attempt at lubricating the shutter. Just give it a general cleaning with a soft cloth. I'm not sure how to open the back of that particular model. It probably either comes off or slides down.

 

[Akki14]

I googled and found a picture of the back. Looks like a standard "move the slide, open back" type setup but it's hard to say as I've never dealt with these things before. Generally the rule with working with antiques (and most any other camera) is don't force it. If it isn't going to move with gentle movement, it shouldn't be moving usually.
There will be a spool inside usually, you should take it out and put it where the winding knob side is inside and make sure the winding knob connects into the spool. Then you can put your new roll of film in the (usually left hand)side you just took the old spool out of. put the pointy bit of the backing paper into the other spool, turn it a little ot make sure it's on the takeup spool then close the back. Generally these things have a little window in the back so you can slowly keep turning the knob until you see the number 1 appear.

 

[semeuse]

check out Mike Butkus' free camera instruction manuals site atDead Link Removed-- there are loads of Kodak camera manuals there. And have fun.

 

[Kobin]

There is also a usersgroup:

KodakManuals@yahoogroups.com

You have to apply for membership, that's no big thing, kind of like registering for membership here.

K.