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SAMPLES

SUMMARY
The Kodak Brownie Starflex is similar to many of the ‘Star’ Brownies produced during the late fifties and sixties. Each is a variation of the same molded plastic body. The Starflex stands out from the others as it is one of the few to utilize a ‘reflex-style’ viewing system much like the more complicated Twin Lens Reflex cameras of that era. However the Starflex, being an economy camera, featured a simple, hooded brilliant finder for framing an image. While the plastic Dakon lens was used for taking the image. The Starflex also featured two aperture settings, one for color and one for black and white. There is a flash attachment and a foldout wire viewfinder on the bottom of the camera for action shots. Since the camera produced 4x4cm square negatives on the now nearly obsolete 127 roll film, holding the camera upside down to use the wire frame viewfinder didn’t much matter. The shutter is a single speed, rotary design with no bulb setting for long exposures. The standard red window for viewing frame numbers has been placed on the back of the camera. Remember to cover this with black gaffers tape or something similar when taking pictures as the newer more sensitive films may have circular patterns from the light passing through. The base of the camera can be removed for film loading and also houses the film advance knob which cocks the shutter. This prevents the shutter from being fired again right after an exposure. There is also the larger ‘Brownie Reflex 20’ that is essentially a Starflex that accepts 620 roll film resulting in a 6x6cm negative. The ‘Star’ Brownies are simple, economical and fun to use cameras that have a great retro look and feel.

CLEANING AND REPAIR
Since these cameras are made of plastic, including the lens, glass cleaner cleans up everything. Lint free tissues and cotton swabs are better suited to clean the molded bodies. If necessary, two screws can be removed to get to the inside of the viewfinder window and mirror. However these are narrow cameras and even after unlocking the base and removing it, this does not provide acceptable access to the shutter assembly or the lens, which are encased in a thin metal frame. Access to the inside of the lens is virtually impossible and if the shutter is sticking, flooding it with lighter fluid is tricky without getting fluid on the inside of the lens. Small amounts are required. Otherwise these are very low maintence cameras.

EBAY SUGGESTIONS
As always these types of Kodak cameras were very common and inexpensive when introduced. Millions were sold and they are far from ‘rare’. A ‘Star’ Brownie in good condition should go for around $5-10 dollars. They are small and light which should result in lower shipping costs. Since the smaller 127 roll film they use can only be found by special order from a limited number of online retailers they aren’t as practical as the many Kodak Brownies that accept 120 roll film. Not to mention the difficulty in finding someone to develop the negatives if you don’t have your own darkroom. Images are generally soft, but much enjoyment can be had using any of these old Kodak cameras. Garage sales are also another great source.

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Kodak Links
Eastman Kodak
Kodak 127 Film Cameras
North Star Camera Collection
Kodak Camera History
List of Kodak Brownie Cameras
Michael Helms Kodak Museum
Kodak Collectors Page
Classic Film Sizes