MAKING HAPPY | one human life

ABOUT THIS CAMERA

Camera Type: Roll Film Box
Film Type: 620 spool. [See notes below]
Image Size: Square. 6x6 cm, 21/4 x 21/4 "
Lens: Meniscus
Shutter: Includes B function (called Long on this camera)
Body: Dark brown bakelite. Stylish deco-ish design.
Focal Range: assume 2m to infinity for most box cameras
Manufactured by: Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, NY, USA.
Produced: 1950-1961.

PERSONAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Purchased May 2003 in a lot of four box cameras. My camera came clean on the inside but with terrible fungus on the lens and under the viewfinder. However there are tiny screws that make it very easy to take apart and clean.

I love this camera. It's light weight, stylish, easy to open for film loading and takes great photos. Click some of the links to the right to see some photos I've taken with it.

As far as film goes I've had success so far taking photos outside on bright, sunny days with 100 asa and 125 asa colour film. I have heard that when box cameras were made 50 asa was the standard of the day and that's why 100 works well. I don't actually know the shutter speed on this camera (although Matt Denton suggests that it's about 1/30) but it's definitely a long exposure. Agfa Optima II has nice colour saturation. I haven't tried anything else yet.

How Much Should I Pay for This Camera? Value is in the eye of the beholder but since it's a pretty prolific camera I'd say not much. I bought mine in a lot of four box cameras at a total of $26.00 US for all four. Mine was in really good shape and included the flash unit, bulbs and box! I saw one in really bad shape the other day at a pawn shop priced at $30.00 CDN. Take your time and look around. You should be able to find a nice one cheap.

ABOUT 620 FILM

620 film is still available for purchase. An antique film company named J and C Photo make it but I am yet to go this route. 620 film is basically the same as 120 film but with a smaller spool. You can just take a 120 spool and cut it down using a sharp knife until the spool fits into your 620 camera. Be sure to have extra 620 spools on hand to use as take-up. When you take your film in for processing, be sure to ask that they return your 620 spool. Further instructions can be found here. Respooling 120 film onto a 620 spool is also an option but one I'd rather not take as it's a bit of a pain to do. Frankly cutting the spool down is so easy to do I highly suggest going that route. But if you absolutely must respool, here's how.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

· Matt Denton -- A great page of information, personal opinion but also includes steps on taking your Brownie Hawkeye apart for cleaning.
· Box Camera 101 -- Despite their simplicity opening your new box camera and loading film can be a bit daunting for the beginner. This is an excellent resource despicting various types of box cameras and their little eccentricities. Includes photos. I also love the site in general for junk store camera reviews and info.
· The Brownie Camera Page -- Lots of excellent info plus manuals to download.
· Cleaning Your Hawkeye Lens -- Good instructions with photos.

PHOTOS TAKEN WITH THIS CAMERA BY OTHERS

If you need further proof of this camera's goodness, then check out some photos others have taken with it.

· Rick Davis -- Black and whites of buildings.
· Mike Saunders Colour shots. Beware of midi file.
· The Brownie Hawkeye Experience -- One man's journey with his Brownie Hawkeye. Includes photos he took with the cameras.
· Chuck Baker -- One b&w image. There's another one here, and here.

VIEW ENTRIES

· Faile, Photo Face — November Thu 06 2003
· Guilty TV — November Wed 05 2003
· Portuguese Festival — June Mon 09 2003
· Prying Eyes — June Fri 06 2003
· Mystery Stink — June Thu 05 2003
· Four Little Box Cameras — May Tue 27 2003