Okay, so what’s a Brownie?
When Kodak first started selling the Brownie in 1900, the goal was to equip as many people as possible with an affordable and simple-to-use camera. The very first Brownie was a basic box camera, and Kodak used the Brownie name for the next 80 years on a large variety of cameras with different film types and styles. Ranging from the original box to folding cameras, the Brownie name was synonymous with affordability and ease.
With the news that Kodak was filing for bankruptcy protection, people soon began riling that film was dead. Though we already have lost Kodak’s slide films, the general consensus from the #believeinfilm community on Twitter seems to be that they believe in Kodak as well. Just recently, Mary-Irene Marek (@KodakCommunity on Twitter) wrote out a very thoughtful and encouraging article about the #believeinfilm community on Kodak’s blog. Ms. Marek is extremely engaged in the thriving film community, and lately she’s been getting a lot of tweets to bring back the Brownie cameras and the 620 film (which is more in demand than the 127). Tweets regarding these wishes can be seen by searching the #bringbackbrownie hashtag.
Okay, so what can I do with this 100 year old camera?
If you have a Brownie model that uses 620 (Brownie Hawkeye) or 120 film (Brownie Cresta), you are better off than a Brownie model that uses 127 film or other discontinued film types. While fresh 620 film may be difficult to find, there are many resources out there for you to put your Brownie to use. 120 roll film is still widely available and fresh (from Kodak)! As stated previously, the difference between 620 and 120 is the spool. Follow these detailed instructions to re-spool your 120 film onto a 620 spool!
Instructions w/ Pictures courtesy of the Brownie Camera Page
Okay, so why would I want to shoot a Brownie?
The photos have a distinct look which can be similar to that of the Holga or Diana cameras, except the Brownie has a unique history, and may be 100 years old! Not to mention if you’re stuck in a creative rut, restoring and using an antique camera could be the inspiration you’ve been looking for. View the great examples below, and maybe you’ll be wanting to bring back the Brownie:
by woosang on Flickr
by believeinfilm on Flickr
by rocketttodd on Flickr
by robert schneider (rolopix) on Flickr
by SteveMPhoto on Flickr
by @cgmoyer on Twitter (click-through for his blog which features many more Brownie images)
I know what my next project will be! I would like to find and restore an old Brownie to use with 120 film. If you have or plan to buy a Brownie and are unsure of its condition the website Hawkeyemods.com would be worth your visit. You can purchase a newly restored Brownie or have yours sent in to be restored for a reasonable price. There is also a tutorial for flipping the lens in the Brownie (which makes for different looking images), as well as an instructional manual and a gallery of the new & improved Brownie Hawkeyes.
I think it is important to share with Kodak how much we as a community enjoy the photographs that come from these vintage cameras. Using the #bringbackbrownie tag is a great way to start. If you don’t have Twitter, I encourage you to sign up and tag your tweets with #believeinfilm. The film photography community on Twitter is a big reason why I’ve stuck with shooting film through all of my mistakes. I want to thank everyone who contributed photos today and encourage you to view more of their work.
For more information on Brownies here are a few websites that you can visit: The Brownie Camera Page, The Brownie Camera (On Kodak Website), and Brownie Box Cameras.



























