If you have read any of my other posts about my Kodak Box Brownie No 2 you will already understand that one of the many things that attracted me to this camera to begin with was how easy it is too use.
Some may say it is basic, primitive even. I say it has a magical simplicity.
It is easy to forget with all our modern day gadgetry that at the time the Brownie was produced it was the latest thing. This was Hi-Tech! So with that in mind I thought I would highlight for you some of this camera’s specifications, it’s features if you will.
So this is my brownie:
It was available in several colours including blue and red and was produced about 1920ish.
It comes with one basis lens which doesn’t have any zoom or focusing capabilities per se. The Brownie will find it difficult to focus on anything within about 6′ of the camera. But it will capture in sharpest detail anything in the middle ground . . .
The shutter, which is ultimately how you take your picture, is this tiny little level on the side. You flick it one way it takes a shot, flick it the other way it takes another shot. It basically just opens the little door covering the lens. If you find one of these cameras for sale this is the one feature, other than the condition of the lens, that you need to check . . . oh and the winder . . .
After you have flicked your shutter switch in order not to have a double exposure you need to wind the film on. This is the winder. Mine turns anti-clockwise. Keep turning until the next number appears in the red window. . .
This is the film counter window in the back of the camera it allows you to see how many of your 8 shots you have left, it also lets you know that you have loaded the film correctly in the first place as you wind it on and watch the little black arrows past behind it . . .
There are two view finders, one portrait and one landscape to enable you to take the picture you like however be aware of your Parallax Error! For more information see: My Box Brownie camera, Adventures with Parralax Error!
This little lever controls the aperture. This Brownie has 3 different aperture settings. The lever pulls up out of the body of the camera in stages. When it is in a closed position, pushed right in, it is at it’s widest aperture. This is for use on cloudy days/winter. One click out, the middle position, is for bright evening/morning light. The third position, with the lever pulled right out, is for very bright sunshine/summertime . . .
The last feature is this tiny lever, pull this one out of the body of the camera and it allows you to take a long exposure picture. Professionals call it the Bulb Setting I believe. This lever basically stops the shutter from closing until you manually flick it closed by flicking it back the other way. This is a feature I haven’t tried as yet. Mostly because I don’t have a tripod . . .
This is where your tripod (if you have one) would attach. You see, Kodak thought of everything! What more could you want!?
Beautiful simplicity I think you will have to agree! Take a look at some more of my brownie pictures here.
For more Brownie fun try: Lady behind the lens and Box Brownie: The Perfect Reflection