previous | next | index
SAMPLES
SUMMARY
Kodak Brownie is synonymous with family photographs. These small Bakelite or plastic point and shoot cameras were sold in the millions during the 50’s and 60’s. These are fun, simple, charming cameras. I prefer the Bakelite Brownies as I call them, but this little grey plastic Starmite II is still a charmer. It takes the nearly obsolete 127 roll film which can be found at a premium price through such mail order websites as B&H and The Frugal Photographer, and yields twelve 4x4cm negatives. This is the smallest negative size that falls under the “medium format” label. It sports a built-in flash gun like its predecessor the Starmite, and features two aperture settings with the Exposure Value of 13 for flash, and 14 for daylight. These are equivalent to approximately f/11 and f/16. It also uses 28.5 mm (6A) lens and filter attachments and AG-1 flash bulbs if you can find them. The camera requires two AA batteries for flash functionality. Luckily this unit came in the original box and included four flash bulbs. They still work and yield fairly good results. If you begin to collect these cameras, you will notice that all of the “star” Brownies such as the Starflash, Starmatic, Starmeter, etc.; all share the same look as if they were yielded from a similar plastic mold, just slightly modified depending on features.
CLEANING AND REPAIR
These later molded plastic models are slightly harder to take apart than their Bakelite predecessors. Flip the small switch on the bottom of the camera from lock to open and the whole film carrier drops out. Since the camera is essentially a small cylinder, it is very difficult to reach the inside of the lens and shutter so it is very unlikely this will need to be cleaned, unless the camera was not well maintained. The top rear portion comes off with a single screw and exposes the battery housing. Don’t be fooled by the metal button on top of the camera, this is the flash bulb release not the shutter release. The shutter release is a small plastic switch on the right side of the camera, if you’re looking through the small viewfinder. The front of the camera features the simple Kodet lens, supposedly glass, which is attached to the thin metal faceplate that appears to be clipped into the molded body. No screws are visible and removing this faceplate may be more trouble than its worth. The two aperture settings are controlled by a small metal switch at the bottom of the faceplate. The film advance is a plastic knob on the bottom of the camera, and there is a double exposure prevention feature. Once the shutter is tripped you will need to wind the film to cock the shutter. At least with my camera, the plastic, flash diffusion plate is a pain. It simply slips onto the front along two grooves and has a tendency to fall off. A soft towel, cotton swabs and Windex are perfect for overall cleaning of this camera.
EBAY SUGGESTIONS
As with most Kodak Brownie cameras, they are prolific on EBay. I picked this one up in the original box for less than four dollars plus shipping. As always patience is rewarded. Just place a maximum bid of five dollars and wait. If you don’t win, another auction will usually come along within a few hours. You shouldn’t pay more than five to eight dollars for shipping, since these items are small and light. Always look for good sample photos of the camera, since there are many of these cameras available, don’t settle for one that has been abused. All of my Brownies were acquired in near pristine condition for less than average bids.
previous | next | index
Kodak Links
Eastman Kodak
Kodak 127 Film Cameras
North Star Camera Collection
Kodak Camera History
List of Kodak Brownie Cameras
Michael Helms Kodak Museum
Classic Film Sizes
|
