john_reichenbach

Is there an electronic version of the manual for this camera

available for download? I've tried Chuck Baker's site and it's not

there.

Catherine,

 

Sorry I'm late to this party but I wanted to give an endorsement for both B & H and the Frugal Photographer. I've also used Film for Classics but they're a bit pricey.

 

Good Luck,

John

I recently purchased B-6 Cadet made by Agfa. The camera is in mint

condition. I shot a test roll of Agfa Optima 400 through it and got

a very strange result. Although the subject is in focus everything

around the subject is blurry. I use quite a few older cameras,

mostly Brownies, and I've never encountered this before. Any

suggestions?

 

John

Jeff,

 

You may want to check your source for the AG-1 bulbs to see if they can supply the 25's. By the by, 25 was the Sylvania number. The GE number is 5 or sometimes you see M-5. These are readily available on ebay (of course!). I don't think the supermite would be a good fit for a Hawkeye as the reflector won't clear the top of the camera.

 

John

Shoshanna,

 

The Brownie Starmeter, Starflash and Bulls-eye should fit the bill. You can also try the Duaflex. Although not sold as a Brownie it's one of the most easily recognizable Kodaks of that era. All of these are available on e-bay. If you are in a rush you can probably locate them at www.krphoto.com. Hope this helps.

 

John

I ask this question every year or so, hoping that someone will have

some new info. Has anyone become aware of a source for 130 film? I

would love to use my beloved 2C but I can't bring myself to pay $30

to have a roll custom cut and spooled. It has occured to me that

maybe there is a companion to the 130, like the 120/620

relationship. Of all the roll films does anyone know of one that is

comparable in size to 130? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

John

Aaron,

 

As you probably already know, your 2A autographic uses 116 film. The only vendor I know who can provide that is Film for Classics (www.filmforclassics.com). It is not a stock item, they will custom cut and spool it for you for around $30 not including processing and printing. You will probably have much better luck and save money using the 620. 620 film is just 120 film on a different size spool. You have two options, you can buy the 620 from B & H Photo (I'll send you the link if you want, they have a super long web address) or buy 120 film at your local camera shop and re-spool it on to 620 spools that you can buy on ebay. The re-spooling process is pretty simple and it is described in detail on Chuck Bakers web page. If you didn't get to this forum via Chuck's site, The Brownie Camera Page, then I suggest you take a look at that site at your earliest convenience. If you do a yahoo search for Brownie cameras it will probably be the first or second link in the search results. Good luck and don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything else.

 

John

Beth,

 

The Starflex is a 127 roll film type camera. The operation of this camera is fairly easy. If you got to this forum via The Brownie Camera Page then all you need to do is go back to the Brownie Page and click on the list of Brownie cameras. When the list pops up you scroll down to Starflex, click on it and you will get the basic info on that camera. There is also a link to a downloadable (if that's a word!) copy of the instruction manual. 127 film is still available. I recommend trying camera shops in your area. If that doesn't work go to www.frugalphotographer.com. They carry black and white 127 for less than $5 a roll. For color try B & H Photo. B & H has a bizarre web address so if you want it send me an e-mail and I'll forward the link (or you could do a yahoo search for B & H Photo in NYC). For developing I recommend Main Photo in California. Their web address is mainphoto.com, no www. As you can see the internet has really created a great deal of options for those of us who are into strange hobbies like taking photographs with old cameras. If you need anything else, just ask and I'd be glad to help. I think that using a camera with such a significant personal history is a very special opportunity. Have fun.

 

John

Greg,

 

<p>

 

I don't see a reply to your message here although I suspect Pete Lutz has probably sent you a private e-mail with some of the info you requested. Pete is the patron Saint of all things Brownie!! The 120 film you need for the Hawkeye is readily available at any camera store. For flash bulbs I like ebay. The #5 bulbs are fairly common there and you can run into some deals. There's not a whole lot available in the accessories other than the close-up attachment and the flash cover. If you need an instruction manual, Pete has one posted on his web-site which you can link to from the Brownie page.

 

<p>

 

Good Luck

John

If you watch the movie Hearts in Atlantis starring Anthony Hopkins watch carefully during the child's birthday party scene where the little boy is taking a picture. Look carefully because you only get about a one second look at the camera which all Brownie afficianados will quickly recognize as a Duaflex.

Does anyone know what type of film this camera was designed for. This is the "kit" camera Ansco marketed in the '50's. I'm thinking of acquiring one to assemble with my 8 year old daughter. I think it might be a neat project for us. However, I don't want to go to all that time and expense for a camera we can't use!

 

<p>

 

Thanks

John

Rosan,

 

<p>

 

The Starflash was a late '50's, early 60's camera. The Starflash, Starmite and Starmeter were all similar 127 cameras. Many of my fellow collectors look down their noses at these particular Brownies but I enjoy using mine. There's a list of all the Brownies on the Brownie Camera Page. Just look 5 or 6 lines above the one you clicked on to get to this forum. Chuck has placed some basic info about each of them in that location.

 

<p>

 

John

In the interest of furthering communication amongst us Brownie collectors, I wanted to post the link to a Yahoo! group that I found. groups.yahoo.com/group/browniecamera (no www) I joined today and although there doesn't seem to be a tremendous amount of activity, there's always the potential to make it a happening site. Especially since there are very few venues for us strange-o's that have developed this affinity for cheaply made, technologically obsolete cameras! Look forward to "seeing" everyone in the Brownie Group!

 

<p>

 

John

Robyn,

 

<p>

 

It's hard to tell from your message, but I'm assuming what you have is a Brownie Flash 620. I own that particular camera and I paid $8 for it on ebay. I've seen truly mint 620's go for $25 but that was with the entire outfit (box included) in nearly new condition.

 

<p>

 

John

There is a list on this site. About 1/2 dozen lines up from the link to this forum. Also check out the links from this site you will find some terrific resources. If you've really got time to kill do a yahoo search. You'll probably get 200-300 hits that you can sift through!

Is there such a camera? I can't find any resource that lists a #2 Folding Premo. I've checked the lists available on this site. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

<p>

 

John

I'm selling a few things on ebay and thought folks here might be interested. Most notably are the increasingly hard to find Press 40 flash bulbs (Sylvania) there are six at a starting price of $5.00. If anyone is interested it is item # 1291016227 on ebay. I've also got a Hawkeye in the original box, item # 1290633732, but most of us here already have one of those! That starting price is also $5.00.

 

<p>

 

John

I've just purchased my first "folder". Any suggestions from my fellow Kodaphiles on how to get the best results with this camera? Don't be shy Pete, I'm counting on you!

Tracy,

 

<p>

 

I don't know where you got your film but 10 bucks is pretty steep. I'm paying $6 a roll for Kodak and Fuji 120. Try shopping around. As for the film speed, I use 400 almost exclusively. The old saw about "graininess" just doesn't hold water anymore with the finer emulsions. You'll especially like the results if you start using that "B" setting. 100 film is just too unforgiving to use when there's better products available. Have fun.

 

<p>

 

John

There are descriptions and app. values listed on this site for Brownie cameras. A quick look shows that your camera could be worth up to about $60 depending on condition. Though, as I'm sure you are aware, something is worth whatever someone else is willing to pay for it.

Holly,

Go to the Brownie page and click on "film" you will see a link for B & H. That's where I get mine. Stay away from the Maco for $3.99. I've had poor results with it. The Kodak Natural Color (N/C) 160 is $10 a roll but the results are excellent. For developing try Main Photo (www.mainphoto.com) they are based in Anaheim but they've got

stores throughout Southern CA. I like them because the service is good and the average roll is about $15.00 to develop versus $20 or even $30 at some other places. Good luck Holly and if you need anything else let me know.

 

<p>

 

John

I don't have the synchro so I can't help you on the operation part. Try www.craigcamera.com. If there's an instruction book for it out there John Craig is sure to have one. You can also try www.rwmangum.com. This is the personal page of a collector but there are a lot of resources on his site. I recommend getting 127 film from B & H who are listed on this site under film, but stay away from the cheap Maco (Efke) film I've had only poor results with it. As for developing; I use Main Photo in California (www.mainphoto.com [isn't the internet great?]) they don't beat you up on price like some of the labs and their service is the best. Lastly, www.darkroomproducts.com has a lot of great info on developing and printing. The instructions they have for setting up a home dark room were the best. As for their prices, not the greatest to say the least. I just got so much info from them I felt obligated to make a purchase! Hope this helps.

 

<p>

 

John

Anyone in Brownieland willing to part with some 620 spools? I'm tired of paying $10 a roll for 620 film and I'd like to try respooling 120. It sounds easy enough!! I am willing to pay a reasonable sum.

I have a 2C in good condition that I've not paid much attention to due to the fact it uses 130 film. Has anyone had any luck substituting another size film? Seondly, (maybe this should have been first!) the lens appears to be missing. I think I've heard that some early camera's had their lens behind the shutter. Is this possible or was I dreaming?!

I'm having trouble using the "brilliant" finder on a Brownie Hawkeye. The camera appears to be in mint condition and I cleaned up the viewfinder (the optics are in A-1 condition) but it seems difficult to bring images in to focus. Is there a trick to mastering this camera?