my july 12m.o.f.

I am so grateful for friends who help support my film camera habit by sending me their old cameras. A few months ago, my friend asked if I would be interested in an untested Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. I said YES PLEASE. The camera arrived safely with a flash attachment and sat on my shelf.

I have always been curious about this camera because I read that you could use 120 film even though it specifically says to use 620 ONLY. Thankfully, my model accepts the 120 spool. To make it work with the 120 spool I used the original metal 620 one for the take up spool. (side note- please remember to ask your lab to ship back the metal spool! Shout out to the FIND Lab :)

This camera was more delightful than I thought it would be. Simple and easy to use, yes. High quality and stunning results, no. Well at least not for me, the lens needs to be cleaned but I was nervous to take it apart. (It is possible though!) Maybe in the future if I come across another one I will attempt to clean it.

This camera is as simple as it comes, It has the shutter button and a bulb mode option and that’s about it. I did use painters tape around the camera to try to eliminate light leaks but I’m not sure it made that much of a difference.

Manufacturer: Kodak

Date of Production: 1949-61

Type of Camera: Box

Film Type: 620 Roll (6x6)

Lens: Single Element Meniscus

Focal length: 81mm

Aperture: fixed at f/15

Shutter: Rotary, fixed-speed, aprox. 1/30th-1/50th

Exposure Value at ASA 100: aprox. 13-14 (to infinity in "B" mode)

Shutter speeds: Instant or Bulb

Viewfinder: Waist level finder

Tripod socket: No

Cable release thread: No

I loaded this beauty with some expired Portra 160 and took it out for a spin. As you can see the indoor photos did NOT come out at all, but that’s on me and using low iso film. Overall, I’m glad I took a gamble and tried this camera, I will definitely use it again in the future!

August Roundup

July Roundup