OT - Hawkeye Brownie Camera

[Anonymous-0]

OT for sure. But vintage. My beautiful wife brought home here child hood Kodak Hawkeye Brownie camera. It was her parents. As soon as I saw it, I thought DAMB. This is cool. We are going to make this work for sure. I did a bunch internet searches just now and found parts, manuals etc. Not a problem. But I wonder if there are any current users here in my tractor internet neighborhood.

This seems like fun, what with the crazy camera phones, digital cameras, SLRs, etc. I have all of those, dont get me wrong. But the down looking big flash set up is awesome. Cant wait to use it.

 

[moonlite 37]

I had one back in 1960's while in Army. I gave it away and bought a more sophisticated camera but never made as good of photos because I did not remember the various settings. The Hawkeye did acceptable werk if you allowed for the limitations. Seems kind of crude now.

 

[LenND]

Can anyone get film for the Brownie cameras yet?

 

[Jerry Coulter]

I have a Brownie Hawkeye which I used in the late 1980's after I found some flash bulbs in a yard sale and a source for 620 film. But I had to give up using it when film became no longer available. The flash is really blinding!

 

[RayP(MI)]

I haven't seen roll film for most of those oldies - 127, 620, 120, 116, and a few others that don't come to mind for many years. Even the selectoin of 35mm is getting pretty skinny. Don't think they're making any any more. Same with flashbulbs.
Heres the scoop

 

[Janicholson]

Using a larger format film gives powerful detail, if used within its field of focus. The issue will be finding both good non-outdated film, and a place to get it developed. It is an interesting camera, with a great history (kinda the model T of popular photography) There were so many made, that though more valuable than many, the treasure is in the fact that it has family history. JimN

 

[Jerry Coulter]

Hey, thanks for the info, Ray.

 

[NEbobcat]

anyplace that can take an x-ray has the film cuttin it to size in the dark could be fun

 

[RayP(MI)]

x-ray film is on a very stiff stock. Would not lend itself to use in roll film cameras. Might work in the old cut-film magazines that were common with the old SPEED GRAPHICS. Remember the old news cameras in the 30's 40's? I used one in the early '60s. Doubt it there are many around that remember those! x-ray film would be interesting as a film for visible light - donno how it would behave. Probably very slow, compared with modern films.

 

[Walt Davies]

These were take by my Mother with her Brownie camera and old bod model and a newer Hawkeye from the 50s.
Walt
Grampa and his 3 boys William Whitney and Robin
<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/?action=view&current=kennedymen.jpg" target="_blank">

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Tommy Walt and John.
<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/?action=view&current=JohnTomandWaltathomeinLoomis.jpg" target="_blank">

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John Tom and Walt (me)
<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/?action=view&current=JohnTomandWalt.jpg" target="_blank">

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[Ken Macfarlane]

Have one in my collection in great shape, never used it, seems to me it just takes common 120 film. I inherited a Mamyia 645 so any film I buy goes into that sucker.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The flash is blinding. Part of the fun I bet. Pooof. I like it.

 

[Janicholson]

Here are some optional methods of getting going. Best of luck, JimN
Sources for film/and options