So, can anyone identify this box camera?

[Twiggy]

So,

On my photo taking trip to Welland today, I stopped into a local antique/junk shop and found this (among many other cameras, in working/not working order) kodak box camera.

It seems to be in good working order, I can see through the view finder, though it is blurry and dirty (I assume needs cleaning), the shutter works like a charm, and there's not very many parts to it, looks surprisingly good on the inside as well.

It doesn't have very many specific on it, no real branding, model number or name or serial number. All I really know is that it is by kodak, and it is a box camera that uses 620 film.

As I said, it seems to be in good working order, the front seems to go on good, and when locked in place only has minimal movement, so light shouldn't leak in either. I will just need to clean the lens, and the view finder because they've picked up dirt and dust over the years, as well as the outside of the camera in general - same situation, but it looks like it should clean up good.

To clean things like the lens and view finder, is isopropyl alcohol safe 99% or should I use something else? Acetone? or special lens cleaner?

Oh the best part, it was only $10.

Photos

 

[AnselMortensen]

The model name of that camera would be on the strap....which is missing.

 

[fgorga]

If I am not mistaken, the model designation is shown on the label in your second photo... "Six-20 Hawk-Eye Special"

 

[MattKing]

If I am not mistaken, the model designation is shown on the label in your second photo... "Six-20 Hawk-Eye Special"

Correct.
Made for one year only - 92 years ago - in Canada.
https://www.browniecam.com/portfolio-items/22-six-20-hawk-eye-special/

 

[Twiggy]

If I am not mistaken, the model designation is shown on the label in your second photo... "Six-20 Hawk-Eye Special"

Thank you, looks like it is. Guess I didn't register that as the label was talking a lot about what film to use, and where to load it.

Although according to this it takes 120 film, when it says to use 620, maybe different ones, took different film?

 

[MattKing]

That site is probably wrong about the film. The labelling on the camera itself determines it, and as was typical with a lot of these, the camera name specifies the film.
620 and 120 films themselves are the same, but the spools differ, so usually you can't fit 120 film in a 620 camera. You may be able to fit 120 film in this one, with some minor modifications and, usually, a 620 takeup spool.

 

[Twiggy]

I have also seen there can be 3d printed adapters, that allow use of 35mm film.

Maybe I'll go that route, as it would be the most cost effective, as that $7.99, $8.99, and $9.99 kentmere film you linked me yesterday, is both much less expensive then what I see for 120 but especially 620 film, and offer a lot more exposures. Though I did here with 35mm you need to figure out how many winds it takes for your camera to get a totally clear section of film.

 

[AnselMortensen]

If you go the 35mm route, you'll need to cover the green window on the back.
You'll need to use a junk roll of film, load it in the camera, mark the film and count the number of turns for each exposure...which will vary as the takeup spool increases in diameter as film layers increase.

 

[Twiggy]

In that case, maybe I'll go with 120 then. Since this isn't going to be my main camera of course, just an occasional novelty.

 

[MattKing]

As I posted, you will probably need at least a 620 spool for the take-up side.
If you try to use a 120 spool there, the film winding crank will just spin uselessly in the larger hole at the end of a 120 spool.
If you are going to do this, be sure to keep safe your 620 spools - the 620 spools are critical to being able to use these 620 cameras, and the old metal spools are far better than any modern plastic or 3D printed substitutes.
I have two 620 cameras. One (the better one) won't take a 120 feed spool because the feed chamber is too tight. The other one can be made to work with a 120 feed spool by bending some internal parts. Both cameras require a 620 take-up spool.
For someone dealing with the challenges of learning to develop film, a 35mm Practica would be far easier to deal with than 120 film in a 92 year old camera designed for a different film size.

 

[mshchem]

Maybe shoot Instax, almost the same format

Re-spooling is a pain. Hopefully you don't mind ruining a couple rolls to practice.

 

[Twiggy]

There does appear to be a 620 spool in there, so I will keep it safe.

I've seen some guides on youtube, and it seems the 120 spools just need some trimming and possibly filing to fit properly.

Should be relatively easy and will cost me less than 620.

 

[Twiggy]

Got a roll of 120 coming my way from a local store, god, I love they have free shipping for everything.

 

[Twiggy]

Does anyone have any tips on how to remove the front, so I can clean the viewing lens and the "view finder" from inside?

The viewing lens has some dirt, and the "view finder" has some blur to it, and it seems that is all coming from the inside, as cleaning the outside made no difference.

Would be much nicer to shoot with a clean view, than a blurry one.

Edit: the front of mine is the same as this, so I will need to use pliers as well, but thankfully,. it's just a matter of 4 screws.

 

[Twiggy]

Both my father and I were not able to remove the front pins to move the front panel so I could clean the viewing lens, the mirror, and the view finder from inside. Thankfully it's just a little dirty, and you can still see, so it snot a priority. We are thinking someday of maybe cutting slits into the pins with a dremel and removing them with a flat head screw driver.

There's two aperture settings, a normal open and close, and then a bulb mode.

I assume that for taking pictures on normal sunny summer days, then the "normal" setting is best? I think the bulb mode is better for darker places, and night time, where you may need to let light in for longer?