Old Brownie No 0 missing lens, fix

Christopher Walrath · Jul 16, 2008

Well, a friend gave me an old Brownie No. 0 that he got in an estate. It was missing the lens so I took an old lens from a dismantled 6x6 Wirgin folder (Wollensak Anistigmat f/4.5) and the back casing of the front group fits into the front lens hole with the metal ring that was crimped around the front face removed. Now to find some 127 film to test focusing and then shoot.

Whiteymorange · Jul 17, 2008

Was it really missing the lens or is it a simple meniscus, behind the shutter arrangement? Many of the early Kodaks used that set-up, to good effect.

Christopher Walrath · Jul 17, 2008

There was a lens element behind the shutter but the front hole on the outside of the box was open and the shutter exposed to the elements and dust and all that nasty stuff.

Whiteymorange · Jul 17, 2008

I believe it was made to be that way. I have two of the box brownies and a folder that are that way. The folder actually gets used a good bit. No problems with "that nasty stuff" yet. Take some pictures before modifying it, you may be surprised.

Nathan Smith · Jul 17, 2008

Whiteymorange said:
I believe it was made to be that way. I have two of the box brownies and a folder that are that way. The folder actually gets used a good bit. No problems with "that nasty stuff" yet. Take some pictures before modifying it, you may be surprised.

I think you're right, but it sounds like that point has been passed, Whitey. Now it's going to be a new sort of lens altogether

Nathan

amuderick · Jul 17, 2008

The box camera is supposed to have an empty hole in the front. It is a single element miniscus lens. The only reason to put something on the front is to use a Kodak Portrait Attachment.

Nicholas Lindan · Jul 17, 2008

Christopher Walrath said:
lens element behind the shutter but the front hole on the outside of the box was open and the shutter exposed to the elements and dust and all that nasty stuff.

Think of it the other way around - the shutter is protecting the lens. The recessed lens position also turns the front hole into a functional sun-shade.

The early box cameras were designed correctly. For optimum optical performance with a meniscus lens the proper position for the stop is in front.

The present exposed lens design for a box camera is for aesthetics. And I guess the lens now protects the shutter, but now the lens is exposed.

Whiteymorange · Jul 17, 2008

Nathan Smith said:
I think you're right, but it sounds like that point has been passed, Whitey. Now it's going to be a new sort of lens altogether

Nathan

Point taken.

Christopher Walrath · Jul 17, 2008

No, haven't done anything drastically stupid yet. Was on the verge, though. Whitey saves the day for nostalgia again. Thanks, Whitey.

Whiteymorange · Jul 18, 2008

Not trying to save anything, Chris. Just giving options, is all. Thanks for the comment, though. The "Frankin-lens" you described making may actually be pretty neat. Perhaps a cobbled together version will tell you what you might most benefit from having.

Christopher Walrath · Jul 18, 2008

Yeah, I'm gonna try it out before affixing anything. It would be unique and a great topic of conversation to boot. Got the film comin' regardless. Thank you all for your comments. I really do appreciate the time you all took.

Old Brownie No 0 missing lens, fix

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