Brownies!

I think im somewhat getting the the hang of this flipped lens business! below are some photos I have just processed. Rollei Retro 400 souped in Xtol. I have one question about the focus ability of these cameras. Mine works really well close up but seems to suffer blurriness with anything not closer than 3-4 feet. On flickr however there seems to be plenty of people that get nice landscapes and building with this camera, is there any trick?
 

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I don't think there is as much difference as you think when it comes to focal distance. I have four BHFs and the flipped lenses on mine which are all over the place in birthdays; seem pretty much the same. Here is the one that did the best at distance and this was about 15+ feet. It was just not too good at that distance:

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So I found this tip for respooling 120 onto 620 by using a camera called a Foldex 20 (on eBay for less than $20) to wind on to new spools - it can handle either 120 or 620, or in this case both at the same time. No darkroom needed. Maybe buy a few empty 620 spools on eBay as well and you're golden.

http://personal.cfw.com/~cdwilcox/F_620.html

He's got some other good 620 tips as well.
 
Frank Petronio said:
So I found this tip for respooling 120 onto 620 by using a camera called a Foldex 20 (on eBay for less than $20) to wind on to new spools - it can handle either 120 or 620, or in this case both at the same time. No darkroom needed. Maybe buy a few empty 620 spools on eBay as well and you're golden.

http://personal.cfw.com/~cdwilcox/F_620.html

He's got some other good 620 tips as well.
Click to expand...

I've read that too, and I have a Foldex. Only problem is that I don't see how it could possibly work without a darkroom. The problem is that once you have wound the 120 film onto a takeup spool in a foldex (120 or 620 -- doesn't really matter at this point), you're only halfway done. You have to wind it again onto a 620 spool (so it isn't back to front and the numbers on the paper backing will line up right with your camera's red window), and winding it backward onto a 620 spool can't be done outside of a darkroom. You see, the leading edge of the film, if you are loading it backward, isn't attached to the backing (which is what pulls the film through). It's the OTHER end that is attached and is meant to go through first. This means you have to either tape the back end of the film to the backing, or get it started by hand, and you need a darkroom to do that. Otherwise, you are ... well, pulling a rope is a lot easier than pushing one.

Edit: Also, only the earliest models of the Foldex 20 could handle both 120 and 620. Later models are strictly 120 cameras.
 
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I wasn't entirely happy with the DOF of my BHF with the lens flipped, and its real focus was a 2.5 feet. So I shaved the rim down and made a spacer for the other side to hold the lens in place, now it works well from 3 to 9 feet. It also is pretty good up to 35 feet. Here is three from 9, 3, and 35 feet.

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Just got myself a No. 2 Brownie, and here it is:-


I did have a slight mishap with the first film I put through it. It got very hard to wind on the film, and then the film tore. Something was out of alignment and the film was rubbing against the side, not sure if I'd done something wrong loading it - any ideas?

So I only got three shots before the rip.



Which is a shame as the one which had the corner ripped off would have been great.



(All pictures can be clicked on to see them larger)

The leather's peeling off the front a bit on mine, is there any glue I should use or avoid to stick it back?

I'm still dead impressed that a camera this old can still work and take good pictures.
 
My Brownie is a Hawkeye, but no flash. It will take a 120 spool so it's relatively convenient to use. I'm pretty amazed at the images this camera can produce with just a little care. Below are some shots on Neopan 400 in HC-110 50:1 for 30 minutes.

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kzim56 said:
My Brownie is a Hawkeye, but no flash. It will take a 120 spool so it's relatively convenient to use. I'm pretty amazed at the images this camera can produce with just a little care. Below are some shots on Neopan 400 in HC-110 50:1 for 30 minutes.

3613981732_49a94d6b29.jpg


3616836912_868e17a0d9.jpg


3616835224_77bfac29ee.jpg
Click to expand...

If those are not cropped do not touch that camera. They are the best I've seen.
 
kzim56 said:
My Brownie is a Hawkeye, but no flash. It will take a 120 spool so it's relatively convenient to use.
Click to expand...

Early Hawkeyes are the best of the lot. Frequently, older ones with a metal advance knob are a good hint that you may have a glass lens and not the later plastic. Having a very early Hawkeye without the flash sync is a sure sign.
 
Gotta love a Brownie! Mine is a flash and I can use 120 spools so long as I use a 620 take up spool. Don't forget to tell the lab not to chuck the empty spools!

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Phoenix Phil said:
andredossantos - your colors are fantastic. What are you doing to get the rich saturation? I love your imagery. Thanks, Phil
Click to expand...

Phil,
Thank you so much for your kind words :) Truly appreciated!

As for colors: I just used mainly higher saturation films with the brownie: Velvia, Provia, Portra VC, Fuji 160C, etc. Each photo on my flickr stream should be tagged with the type of film if you are curious about a specific image. Here is a link to all the photos I've posted from the brownie:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andredossantos/sets/72157622865198954/


The only post processing I did was just basic levels, cast removal, sometimes a slight bump in saturation when the scans were a bit dull, etc. I am NOT a Photoshop wiz by any means and am using an epson v700.

Best,
Andre
 
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Well thanks guys ! Been reading this thread that Sanders started and now I have GAS !
BHF gas. Lucky is was so easy to cure. Picked up a real nice one with the metal advance
knob and a glass lens for a whole $3.50 on *bay. Got it all cleaned up and a roll about half finished now. You have all got some outstanding photos here. Thanks for posting 'em!
 
Shot the Brownie Hawkeye this afternoon --
this time using a Rolleinar I close-up lens
to shorten the focus.



Charlie's first time on the swings at the Hippopotamus Playground.
 
Does the Rolleinar just fit on or do you have to use tape? I would be interested because I have 3 close up (portrait) attachments but none fit the BHF. I 'adjusted' the flipped lens to get a greater in focus area 3.5 feet to 50 feet, but the close up would be fun. Before the adjustment mine was practically a close up. Nice family fun, Papa taking photos of mom and the kid.
 
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