Sanders McNew
Rolleiflex User
Andrew, I was going to offer to stop by and
make a copy for you ... then realized I'd have
to fly 12,000 miles to do it. :-(
Could you scan and post the section on
portraits and portrait attachments and
focusing distances? I believe the proper
attaching for the Beau Brownie is the
No. 13, and that the proper focusing
distance is 3'6" -- but it would be good
to confirm that via the manual.
Sanders
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I've got my No.2 Model F Brownie sitting on my desk here in the office. Had it with me on on a recent trip to France (for the Armistice Day memorial services and some sight-seeing)
The ruins of the church at Montfaucon. A bit underexposed (Kodak BW400CN).
I need some new mirrors in mine. They've nearly completely de-silvered.
What's a good source? Or should I just get some from a hobby craftshop?
Frosted Glass is easy to replace. I've cut up a CD Jewel-case and taped some scotch tape over it. Works a treat!
The ruins of the church at Montfaucon. A bit underexposed (Kodak BW400CN).
I need some new mirrors in mine. They've nearly completely de-silvered.
What's a good source? Or should I just get some from a hobby craftshop?
Frosted Glass is easy to replace. I've cut up a CD Jewel-case and taped some scotch tape over it. Works a treat!
Muggins
Junk magnet
2mm mirror should do the trick - the only one I've ever replaced I got an acquaintance to cut me some from stock, but apparently cheap powder compacts do just as well. Just buy one and a glass cutter, and practice breaking the glass over a hard edge (whilst wearing gloves!), and you should be able to make your own after a little practice.
Sanders, sooner or later someone is going to spot me looking at this thread at work, and get completely the wrong idea! Mind you, my other half was very amused by the pics, and thinks you've found a stunner...
Incidentally, I've just finished a roll with my All-Distance Ensign. If anything comes out worth posting, I will.
Adrian
Sanders, sooner or later someone is going to spot me looking at this thread at work, and get completely the wrong idea! Mind you, my other half was very amused by the pics, and thinks you've found a stunner...
Incidentally, I've just finished a roll with my All-Distance Ensign. If anything comes out worth posting, I will.
Adrian
dazedgonebye
Veteran
I view Sanders' flickr only when the wife is not around. I love his work, but don't relish convincing her that I enjoy it for the artistic merits.
She insists that photography isn't art anyway.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Hi dazed,
I was actually talking about the pics which made me leap for my monitor when I opened the thread at work! Luckily my other half is OK with his Flickr - I think she shares at least one reason for liking it with me (no, not that one, she'll be the first to point out!), which is the personality that comes out in his nudes - each one is a distinct personality as opposed to artistic shapes or eye candy. That's right, isn't it, dear?
Incidentally, Sanders, someone on the Classic Camera Repair Forum is asking about a Beau Brownie. If it's not you, you might want to check for a reply...
Adrian
I was actually talking about the pics which made me leap for my monitor when I opened the thread at work! Luckily my other half is OK with his Flickr - I think she shares at least one reason for liking it with me (no, not that one, she'll be the first to point out!), which is the personality that comes out in his nudes - each one is a distinct personality as opposed to artistic shapes or eye candy. That's right, isn't it, dear?
Incidentally, Sanders, someone on the Classic Camera Repair Forum is asking about a Beau Brownie. If it's not you, you might want to check for a reply...
Adrian
chippy
foo was here
you dont have to fly...you could travel by boat!
i dont think the manual is that much help...only has a few lines. it just says a no. 1 lens for portrait can be purchased, and to be sure to tell which model camera you have when ordering. it does say that all it does is change the focus distance..to 3.5 feet, as you mentioned.
a number 13 may fit, i thought they were for a 6x6 bakelite brownie but if if fits then it will probably work. whatever lens you happen to get or try then its probably a matter of trial and error to test focus distance or if you felt like it, then use some ground glass (or substitute) on the film plane (obviously with the back removed) and move the camera until the optimal distance is found.
the beau brownie was also available with a built in portrait lens...as are a number of other brownie camera. i have a few with built in lens (some with yellow filter too), and they usually say 3.5 feet on the camera, i have the UK and Oz versions of a fancy brownie as well , the Coronet portrait camera which says 3 feet...but in many instances, from memory when i did use the lens, its better to er on the longer side of what they sugest for distance. testing with a ground glass would ensure you didn't waste film though.
it would be interesting to see if removing just the front metal plate gives you access to the inside on the beau, it may well do, but considering it is basically a No. 2 or 2a brownie you may have to remove the side pins, thats how you normaly get into those.
Kodak had specific tools for removing the pins (people/kodak did service these, you wouldn't think so but apparently they did). but i would think that using a screwdriver ground down flat, with a U shape ground out at the end, so the screwdriver could slide under the cover/cardbourd (or metal in the case of Beau's front plate) and on each side of the pin to lever the pin up (this is how Kodak recomended the pins removed), and then remove the pins once you have levered them up enough using pliers or simular tool.
if you do have to remove the side pins as normal with model 2 brownies ect(and not just the metal front cover) then you also need to remove the case lock pins, but not the rivert thing the leather handle goes on.
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Sanders McNew
Rolleiflex User
Andrew, you just posted more information
here about the Beau Brownie than exists
anywhere else on the Internet. Maybe I
should set up a site for Brownie users to
exchange information. If not a forum here.
Sanders
here about the Beau Brownie than exists
anywhere else on the Internet. Maybe I
should set up a site for Brownie users to
exchange information. If not a forum here.
Sanders
PhotoMat
Well-known
That was my query posted on the Classic Camera repair forum, and I have not received any replies to date. If I do glean some useful tidbit of information, I will definitely post it here.
Muggins
Junk magnet
Right, where have I found that might help for Brownie stuff?
Maddeningly, I cannot remember where I saw someone post a service manual for box cameras generally... Yes, they really did exist and I saw the damn thing! I can only suggest braving the search function on the Classic Camera Repair forum, or trying http://www.rusted.free.fr/home, and seeing where he links to. He might know himself, but the last time I heard from him or saw him post anywhere was over a year ago, and he was having "family issues" - hopefully now sorted.
ETA Actually it might have been me - I found a link from the Classic (etc), but it was broken... Will investigate further.
Then there's a Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/browniecamera/
And Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kodak_brownie/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/browniehawkeyeflash/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/boxcamera/
The Yahoo group is fairly quiet, and is mostly collectors with the odd drop-in wondering how much one is worth. Flickr groups are a mixed bag...
ETA Marcy Merrill's Box Camera 101: http://www.merrillphoto.com/JunkStoreCameras.htm
Anyone else care to offer anything? By the way, Photomat and Sanders, I am extremely jealous of you having Beau Brownies!
Adrian
Maddeningly, I cannot remember where I saw someone post a service manual for box cameras generally... Yes, they really did exist and I saw the damn thing! I can only suggest braving the search function on the Classic Camera Repair forum, or trying http://www.rusted.free.fr/home, and seeing where he links to. He might know himself, but the last time I heard from him or saw him post anywhere was over a year ago, and he was having "family issues" - hopefully now sorted.
ETA Actually it might have been me - I found a link from the Classic (etc), but it was broken... Will investigate further.
Then there's a Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/browniecamera/
And Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kodak_brownie/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/browniehawkeyeflash/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/boxcamera/
The Yahoo group is fairly quiet, and is mostly collectors with the odd drop-in wondering how much one is worth. Flickr groups are a mixed bag...
ETA Marcy Merrill's Box Camera 101: http://www.merrillphoto.com/JunkStoreCameras.htm
Anyone else care to offer anything? By the way, Photomat and Sanders, I am extremely jealous of you having Beau Brownies!
Adrian
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Muggins
Junk magnet
Still no luck with the manual link. Looks as though it was on the Box Camera Revolution Flickr group, but I can't find the relevant thread and haven't got time at the mo to go through them all. If anyone else can find it, and the poster is still active, perhaps we should ask them if they'd re-post it?
Adrian
Adrian
chippy
foo was here
really! well i had no idea, i dont get around the interent that much (this site is big enough! i still havnt looked ar all these forums lol) and i cant remember last looking at the brownies. I havnt checked them out but Adrian seems to have found a bunch of links.
By no means have i got a huge collection, some other people i am sure would have far more and be experts on them. I collected them on and off for more than 20 years (and along the way pick up the odd bit of printed material), just casualy when i saw one and mainly when i used to be able to get them for free or 50 cents each. I freak out a bit now when i see them in flea markets for $20-$30+ . i like antques and vintage things so they were a nice distraction from the expensive gear i used.
i have noticed people seem to think they are basicaly a disposable camera if something went wrong with them, and probably many people treated them as such so it would be reasonable to think that. However, kodak did fix them (even the cardboard ones) and supplied most components in them as spare parts. the later metal bodied box brownies are built with more complexity and require a few more tools, such as tools for replacing rivets but again kodak had lists of tools needed and the spare parts available.
Just thinking, instead of a screw driver ground flat you may be able to use a not too flexible butter knife with a notch cut out to get under the cardboard and metal front of the beau.
anyway, glad if this helps in some way. maybe this is helpful to Photomat as well with his. i am sure others will eventually add more. there must be millions of these out there and people that have played with them
Adrian, yeah there is definately service manuals for brownies, i remember reading them once at a camera show--and then went home and started pulling mine apart lol. cant remember if i purchsed the booklets though
Sanders McNew
Rolleiflex User
Okay, here's another Brownie effort,
shot last night. This is from a Kodak
Portrait Brownie from the UK.
Dean Lavery, Photographer.
To put enough light on the film, I mounted
the Brownie on a tripod and clicked the
shutter twice, giving an effective shutter
speed of 1/25 second. It worked well
enough for my purposes.
Sanders
shot last night. This is from a Kodak
Portrait Brownie from the UK.
Dean Lavery, Photographer.
To put enough light on the film, I mounted
the Brownie on a tripod and clicked the
shutter twice, giving an effective shutter
speed of 1/25 second. It worked well
enough for my purposes.
Sanders
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Pretty cool technique,
Sorry if you've told us before, but I can't find it in this thread. What type of film are you using?
Like I said I run BW400CN through my kodak, I've tried ADOX 125, which was okay for sunny days.
This could've been a pretty good shot too, if the back hadn't come off the camera grrr. Carrying it in an M1917 Gas Mask Bag wasn't such a good idea.
Doughboys at Butte de Vauquois
Sorry if you've told us before, but I can't find it in this thread. What type of film are you using?
Like I said I run BW400CN through my kodak, I've tried ADOX 125, which was okay for sunny days.
This could've been a pretty good shot too, if the back hadn't come off the camera grrr. Carrying it in an M1917 Gas Mask Bag wasn't such a good idea.
Doughboys at Butte de Vauquois
Sanders McNew
Rolleiflex User
Rick, I'm shooting 400TX,
processed in Rodinal.
I've heard that the chromogenic
B+W films handle underexposures
well, and hold detail in night scenes.
Have you found this to be true?
What EIs do you shoot it at, and
what kind of results do you see?
Sanders
processed in Rodinal.
I've heard that the chromogenic
B+W films handle underexposures
well, and hold detail in night scenes.
Have you found this to be true?
What EIs do you shoot it at, and
what kind of results do you see?
Sanders
Muggins
Junk magnet
Rather hindered by a lack of darkroom (I really must watch Freecycle and Ebay more!), but a friend can soup and do contacts of 6x9 so I'm waiting to hear from him so that I can drop off a roll of FP4... I'll scan them here if they are any good.
I used my All-Distance Ensign as the only previous roll through it wasn't up to much, and I'm sure it can do better. What's interesting is that when Kodak were still making cameras round a block of wood with a hole in, Ensign were making an all-steel box. The body opens at one side and is hinged, rather than having to be pulled off, and it even has velvet light seals. It's got three Waterhouse stops (it's slightly shorter in the body than the No2 Kodaks so I'm guessing these are probably about F8, F16 and F24 rather than the Kodak's which are near-as-dammit 10, 20, 30) on a little sliding sector and you can even pull out the lens for portraits "out for faces, in for places".
The latest dilemma is what to do with a roll of 620 Kodacolor! I bought a Duo 620 to smarten up last week, and assumed (uncoated lens) that the roll of film in it would be b&w. Which would have meant that I could have got it souped, and it wouldn't really have mattered if it was blank, When I wound it on to the first number, I realised that it was Kodacolor... So I now have a film that may or may not be any good, I'll have to pay to find out, and I'd liek my spools back, thank you. Decisions, deceisions...
Adrian
I used my All-Distance Ensign as the only previous roll through it wasn't up to much, and I'm sure it can do better. What's interesting is that when Kodak were still making cameras round a block of wood with a hole in, Ensign were making an all-steel box. The body opens at one side and is hinged, rather than having to be pulled off, and it even has velvet light seals. It's got three Waterhouse stops (it's slightly shorter in the body than the No2 Kodaks so I'm guessing these are probably about F8, F16 and F24 rather than the Kodak's which are near-as-dammit 10, 20, 30) on a little sliding sector and you can even pull out the lens for portraits "out for faces, in for places".
The latest dilemma is what to do with a roll of 620 Kodacolor! I bought a Duo 620 to smarten up last week, and assumed (uncoated lens) that the roll of film in it would be b&w. Which would have meant that I could have got it souped, and it wouldn't really have mattered if it was blank, When I wound it on to the first number, I realised that it was Kodacolor... So I now have a film that may or may not be any good, I'll have to pay to find out, and I'd liek my spools back, thank you. Decisions, deceisions...
Adrian
Muggins
Junk magnet
Can you tell it's quiet at work?
Service manual for the later Six-20 Brownies: http://www.folio.dk/brownie/index.html
And a selection - the one for non-metal ones might interest Sanders and Photomat.
http://www.browniecamera.nl/brownie_service_manual.htm
I would think that the nail remover is like a baby crowbar. His home page is good too - http://www.browniecamera.nl/ And another home page, though no service manuals that I can think of: http://www.brownie-camera.com/
ETA: Cleaning a Brownie Hawkeye Flash: http://members.tripod.com/~CClemens/Brownie/HawkClean.htm
Adrian
Service manual for the later Six-20 Brownies: http://www.folio.dk/brownie/index.html
And a selection - the one for non-metal ones might interest Sanders and Photomat.
http://www.browniecamera.nl/brownie_service_manual.htm
I would think that the nail remover is like a baby crowbar. His home page is good too - http://www.browniecamera.nl/ And another home page, though no service manuals that I can think of: http://www.brownie-camera.com/
ETA: Cleaning a Brownie Hawkeye Flash: http://members.tripod.com/~CClemens/Brownie/HawkClean.htm
Adrian
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charjohncarter
Veteran
That is an information filled post.
Muggins
Junk magnet
I aim to please. Makes a change from being full of something else!
Adrian
Adrian
PhotoMat
Well-known
WOW -- Thanks Adrian!!!
The links that you provided are a treasure trove of valuable info -- I will be much better prepared. All I need is now is a little free time to tackle my project! Thanks so much!
Matt
The links that you provided are a treasure trove of valuable info -- I will be much better prepared. All I need is now is a little free time to tackle my project! Thanks so much!
Matt
Muggins
Junk magnet
My pleasure! I think the one on the Dutch site is the one I found all that time ago, and it's been moved.
I do ask one thing in return. Show us all lots of Beau Brownie porn when you're done!
Adrian
I do ask one thing in return. Show us all lots of Beau Brownie porn when you're done!
Adrian