Can I have some of that Brownie?

[mjp]

In my wrongheaded quest to remain steadfastly rooted in the previous century, I just snatched this 45-50 year old relic off eBay today, for a paltry £2.20. The world has no respect for the classics, I tell you.

Uses the same medium format 120 film a Holga uses, though I expect the optics may be a bit more advanced than the Holga's Chinese plastic lens.

 

[number6horse]

Sweet-looking piece of nostalgia, for sure.

And even if it doesn't work, it would make a pretty cool paperweight.

 

[mjp]

It should work. It's about as mechanically simple as a camera can be. If it doesn't work it should be an easy fix.

 

[Gerard K H Love]

That's a good photo. You didn't take that with your Holga, did you? I can see the film of grime on the top of it. Like it sat on a closet self for 55 years waiting to go a vacation.

 

[mjp]

That's a photo from the seller. I don't have it in hand yet. But it looks dirty, yeah.

 

[pigmantoo]

That is not a Brownie -- the Brownie is the brown square box camera.

Yes it says Brownie -- but that is not the true Brownie.

 

[hoochmonkey9]

well, at least all that info was pro bono. someday I'm going to live a weekend as a true Brownie. that's roughing it. pro bono, of course.

 

[Black Swan]

I spent a few weekends as a brownie, myself.
I also was in the brownies for a few memorable weekends.
Nothing like brownies to grow hair on your chest.

 

[mjp]

Yes it says Brownie -- but that is not the true Brownie.

I'll pass that info along to Kodak. I'm sure they'll want to update their records.

 

[number6horse]

Black Swan - The Brownies were international ? So my subversive notion of them as little revolutionaries, running around wearing their berets like Che Guevara was correct ? It was a world-wide movement.... chilling stuff....

 

[Black Swan]

yup!
I've learned to pitch up a tent in a golf course on a weekend away from home.
It was my first idea of the wilderness. ;)

Mjp, I closed a shop last winter and had a few of these cameras.
I emptied the last of my store in a friend's truck. I'll see if he still has them in boxes.

 

[bongobill]

i adore my brownies

Baby Brownie Special

Hawkeye Brownie Flash Model

 

[ROC]

We don't have Brownies in Australia.

We have Browneyes, but that's a different thing.

 

[mjp]

The Brownie arrived today about four weeks ahead of schedule. It is dusted and loaded with some Checkoslovakian 400 ISO black and white film. We shall see what kind of special sauce it has.

 

[anais ninja]

awesome camera, mjp. i love my holgas, and thought about getting a Diana...and a Brownie.

let us know how the foray goes!

 

[Gerard K H Love]

When we saw an example of the Holgas photos it was a tractor trailer overturned and in flames on the freeway. That will be a tough act to follow.