is there a brownieblad?

seriously,which model of brownie is considered the best? are any

equipped with enough lens resolution for say 8x10 enlargements with

acceptable results?

Unless you go for one of the old larger-format No.2C Folding Autographic Brownies or similar, with it's inherent advantage of a large negative, but disadvantage of VERY expensive film, probably your best bet would be the Six-20 Folding Brownie with it's f/6.3 Anastar lens. Used at f/11 or smaller, on a tripod, this lens should easily give a negative that'll go 10x8 and larger without problem.

 

It does all depend on your definition of "acceptable results". Viewed from a few feet away, a GOOD print from a well-exposed box Brownie negative looks fine even at 10x8", but you don't have the exposure control on the more basic cameras to guarantee an easily printed negative, and unfortunately the basic lenses will always be "soft" towards the edge of the frame, so they won't stand up to critical examination.

 

For many pictures, especially portraits, this can be a definite advantage, as it helps isolate the subject. Careful framing of landscapes or similar can include non-essential detail towards the edge of the picture which effectively acts as a frame for the main subject, the lack of definition at the edge simply encouraging the viewer to look at the main body of the picture.

 

You can use the limitations of your equipment to your advantage, if you know what they are ;-)

The award for 'Best Simple Box Camera' is usually awarded to the Zeiss-Ikon Box Tengor with its Goerz Frontar lens. These were slightly better quality than the norm for this kind of camera and with variability of manufacture some were quite good. most of them had a variable aperture and a switch in close up lens. (Yes - I know - not a Brownie)