About this edition
This web edition transcribes the five scanned pages of a Kodak Limited, London booklet for the SIX-20 Folding “Brownie” Camera with meniscus lens and Kodette II shutter. The scans show no publication date or printed page numbers. All printed instructions have been transcribed; decorative photographs and source illustrations are omitted. Camera controls and the loading sequence are described in the text below.
These are historical instructions and product claims, reproduced for reference. They are not current photographic or chemical-safety advice.
Credit: Kodak Limited, London. Source copy: The Brownie Camera Page.
Camera: Kodak Six-20 Brownie (UK Model).
How to use your SIX-20 Folding “Brownie” Camera
With meniscus lens and “Kodette” II shutter.
Kodak Limited, London.
First – get to know your camera
The labelled parts are: catch for camera back; winding key; viewfinder; shutter release; shutter control lever; lens; latch button; and catch lever.
To erect
Have the catch lever out and draw the camera front fully open.
To fold
Press back button below lens and fold up camera front. When closed, move catch lever to lock.
Viewfinder
The viewfinder is a direct-vision type for use at eye-level. It folds flat at the side of the camera when not in use. Hold the camera steady against the forehead or against the bridge of the nose, with the viewfinder close to the eye.
To load
- A. Lift the catch and open the camera back. Pull out the winding key.
- B. Swing out the spool holder from the bottom spool recess. Unclip the empty spool and drop it into the top spool recess. Push in the winding key, at the same time turning it to engage the slot in the spool end.
- C. Take the new spool of film. Break the white paper band around it and clip the spool into the spool holder as shown, with the black side of the backing paper facing inward. Swing the spool holder back into the spool recess.
- D. Draw off just sufficient backing paper to reach the top spool recess, and insert the tapered end into the longer of the two slots in the empty spool. Give the winding key two or three turns only, to ensure that the paper is securely held and winds evenly between the spool flanges. Close the camera back.
Now look into the red window (swing aside cover plate) and turn the winding key. First you will see a hand, then a figure 1. Stop when figure 1 is central in the window. Swing back the cover plate.
The film is now correctly set for the first picture. After taking picture number 1, wind the film to figure 2, and so on for a total of eight pictures.
Film: The correct size of film for this camera is No. 620. Ask for Kodak “Verichrome”. You may load and unload your camera in the shade, but never in direct sun.
To unload
When picture number 8 has been taken, wind the film until the end of the spool paper passes the red window. Open the camera back.
Hold the exposed film spool between finger and thumb, and with the other hand pull out the winding key. Ease the spool out of the top spool recess, taking care to prevent unrolling. Fold the end of the backing paper under, where marked, and secure the end of the backing paper with the white gummed strip provided.
Keep the film away from bright light by wrapping it in paper or placing it in a pocket or handbag until you can hand it to a Kodak dealer for developing and printing.
Instantaneous snapshots
Full sunlight is not necessary for successful snapshots; but avoid taking them in the early morning, in the evening, on dull days, or in deep shade. In sunlight, try to stand so that the sun is shining slightly from one side on to the subject. Never allow the sun to shine directly into the camera lens.
Most outdoor subjects such as groups, beach scenes, landscapes and buildings are suitable for snapshots; but you must not photograph at closer than 8 feet, unless you attach the “Kodak” Close-up Lens mentioned later. In general, avoid taking objects moving rapidly across the picture. If you wish to attempt an action subject, try to photograph from a viewpoint where the movement is in a direction away from you or towards you, as this minimises “movement-blur”.
Set the control lever to the position marked “I” (Instantaneous) and sight the object in the viewfinder. The exposure may now be made. When pressing the shutter release, remember that slow, gentle pressure is required. A jerky movement will jolt the camera and thus produce a blurred picture.
Brief-time exposures
Indoors, and out-of-doors when the light is not bright enough for snapshots, you can make brief-time exposures, but you may only photograph subjects in which there is no movement, and you must stand the camera on a firm support to keep it perfectly still when you make the picture. You cannot take brief-time exposures with the camera held in the hand.
Adjust the shutter control lever to the position marked B, then set up the camera to include the subject in the viewfinder.
Remember that you may not photograph subjects which are less than 8 feet from the camera unless you fit a “Kodak” Close-up Lens.
When ready to take the picture, steady the camera with the hand, press on the shutter release, count the exposure time, then let go of the shutter release. The exposure time required will depend on the lighting conditions and cannot be stated exactly.
General guide to exposure time
| Conditions | Exposure |
|---|---|
| Out-of-doors in early morning, or in late afternoon, or in deep shade | ½ to 1 second |
| Indoors – portraits near windows, and interiors well lighted with daylight | 1 to 2 seconds |
Interiors dimly lit with daylight or artificial lamps may require an exposure of up to a minute or longer.
Close-ups and portraits
If you slip a No. 250 “Kodak” Close-up Lens over the existing lens you can photograph subjects sharply which are 3 to 4 feet away. But if such nearby subjects are centred in the viewfinder they will appear somewhat off centre in the photograph, as the viewfinder and taking lens see the subject from different viewpoints. When sighting close-ups, leave plenty of space at the top of a horizontal picture, and at the left of a vertical picture.