About this edition
This text edition covers all six pages of the source compilation: a two-sided instruction leaflet for the SIX-20 Brownie Models C and D, followed by the four panels of a later Model C leaflet. The source labels the first pair “1946-53” and the later panels “1953-57”; those are source-supplied labels, not verified publication dates. The two sets of instructions are kept separate because their distances and accessory recommendations differ.
Manufacturer wording, historical film recommendations and exposure guidance are retained. Illustrations and decorative photographs are omitted; their printed control labels are transcribed. References to lettered illustrations identify the original leaflet. These are historical instructions, not current photographic advice. Small printer identification codes are not transcribed.
Credit: Kodak Limited, London. Source copy: The Brownie Camera Page.
SIX-20 “Brownie” Models C & D
How to use your SIX-20 “Brownie” Models C & D. Kodak Limited, London.
Get to know your “Brownie”
- Catch: Lift to open camera for loading and unloading film.
- Viewfinder window: For sighting vertical pictures.
- Viewfinder window: For sighting horizontal pictures.
- Close-up slide (fitted to Model D “Brownie” only): Pull out for pictures at 3 to 6 ft. Press in for subjects 10 ft. and more from camera.
- Camera lens: The lens through which light passes to take the picture. The shutter is behind the lens.
- Control lever: Set to I for Instantaneous Snapshots and B for Brief-time exposures.
- Shutter button: Press once for snapshots. Follow special instructions for Brief-time exposures.
- Winding key: Turn to wind film.
Hold the Camera Steady. Do Not Oil the Shutter.
How to load
You may load and unload your camera in daylight – but in shade or indoors, never in direct sun.
- A. Open back of camera by lifting the catch. Draw out Winding Key as far as it will come. Withdraw inside of camera – called Film Holder. Remove empty spool.
- B. Clip new spool of film into holder. Break the paper band around the film and unwind about four inches of paper as shown.
- C. Insert end of spool paper into the longer of the two slots on the empty spool and wind on three turns with black side of paper inwards. Ensure that paper winds evenly between the spool flanges.
- D. Drawing paper over back of Film Holder, insert spool into holder at words “Key Side.” Replace film holder with its words “Key Side” at the key side of camera. Then close camera back.
Finally, press back the Winding Key, at the same time turning it to engage the slot in the spool end. Now wind, and watch the red window in the camera back. First you will see a hand, then dots, then a figure 1. Stop when the 1 is central in the window. After taking each picture, wind on the film to the next number.
How to unload
After the last picture (No. 8), wind until the end of the paper passes the red window. Draw out Winding Key, open Camera Back, and withdraw Film Holder. Remove exposed film. Fold down end of spool paper where marked and secure with gummed strip.
To take pictures – follow these simple rules
You can take two kinds of photographs with your “Brownie”:
1. Instantaneous snapshots
Full sunlight is not necessary, but avoid deep shade, early morning, or evening.
In sunlight, try to stand so that the sun is shining slightly from one side on to the subject. Never point the camera directly into the sun. Do not take subjects moving rapidly across the picture or detail will be “blurred.”
Set the control lever to position marked I. Hold camera steady against the body, look down into viewfinder (see E) and point camera to include the subject you wish to photograph. Two viewfinders are provided, one for vertical the other for horizontal pictures (see F).
To take the photograph, press the shutter button. After taking picture No. 1, wind film to No. 2, and so on for eight pictures, then follow instructions “How to Unload.”
2. Brief-time exposures
Indoors, and out of doors in poor light, make Brief-time exposures. The camera must stand on a firm support (see G) and the subject must keep perfectly still while the picture is taken. You cannot take Brief-time exposures with the camera held in the hand. Set the control lever to position marked B.
To photograph, press shutter button, hold it in whilst you count the exposure time, then release it.
The exposure time will depend on conditions and cannot be stated exactly, but the following is a general guide.
| Conditions | Exposure |
|---|---|
| Outdoors early morning or late afternoon, or in deep shade | 1 to 5 secs. |
| Indoors – portraits near window | 5 to 10 secs. |
| Interiors of Buildings, daylight from windows | 5 to 30 secs. |
After a Brief-time Exposure move control lever back to position marked I.
Close-ups and portraits
Do not photograph closer than 10 feet unless you use a close-up lens, then distance from subject to camera must be 3 to 6 feet.
With “Brownie” Model D this close-up lens is built into the camera. To take close-ups pull out the slide on the camera body. Remember to push slide in after use.
“Brownie” Model C owners should obtain a No. 370 close-up lens from a Kodak dealer to slip in front of the camera lens.
The film recommended for this camera is Kodak “VERICHROME” V620.
How to use your SIX-20 “Brownie” Camera – Model C
Get to know your camera
- Catch: Lift to open the camera.
- Viewfinder: For horizontal pictures.
- Viewfinder: For vertical pictures.
- Control lever: Set to “I” for Instantaneous Snapshots and “B” for Brief-Time exposures.
- Camera lens.
- Winding key: Turn to wind the film.
- Shutter button: Press slowly inward for snapshots. Follow special instructions for Brief-Time exposures.
How to load
Load your camera in the shade – never in direct sunlight or strong artificial light. Use only size 620 film: Kodak “Verichrome” Film V620 is recommended.
- A. Open the back of the camera by lifting the catch. Draw out the Winding Key as far as it will come. Withdraw the inside of the camera – called the Film Holder. Remove the empty spool.
- B. Place the new spool of film in the holder, in the position illustrated. Break the paper band and unwind about four inches of paper, keeping the rest of the film tightly wound.
- C. Take the empty spool, insert the end of the paper into the long slot and wind three turns on to the spool, with the black side of the paper towards the inside. Be sure that the paper winds evenly between the spool flanges.
- D. After drawing the paper over the back of the Film Holder, fit the spool into the holder at the end marked “KEY SIDE.” Replace the Film Holder with the words “KEY SIDE” toward the Winding Key of the camera. Close the camera back.
Press in the Winding Key and at the same time turn it to engage the slot in the spool end. Continue to wind and watch the red window in the camera back. Turn the winding key until a hand appears in the red window; then continue to wind slowly until the figure “1” is centred. After taking each picture, wind the film to the next number.
And unload
After the last picture (No. 8), wind until the end of the paper passes the red window. Draw out the Winding Key, open the catch securing the camera back, and withdraw the Film Holder.
Remove the exposed film, holding it securely to prevent it unrolling. Fold under the end of the paper and seal it with the gummed paper band.
For simple picture-making rules see other side.
Follow these simple picture-making rules – snapshots
- Set Control Lever to “I” (instantaneous) for all snapshots.
- Look in the red window to make certain that you have advanced the film.
- Check the distance. Do not photograph subjects nearer than 8 feet from the camera unless you use a supplementary close-up lens, such as a Kodak “Portra” +1 lens.
- Check the light. The subject can be in bright or hazy sunlight, between an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset.
- Compose the picture. Decide whether it should be horizontal or vertical. The Viewfinder tells you what your picture will include.
- Hold the camera steady. Camera shake will blur the picture. Press the Shutter Button inwards with a gentle squeezing action.
Brief-time exposures
When there is not enough light for a snapshot, a Brief-Time Exposure is made. Place the camera on a firm support. Be sure the camera front is within 2 or 3 inches from the edge so that the support does not show in the picture. Never hold the camera in the hands for “B” exposures.
Set the control lever to “B”. Steady the camera and press in the shutter button slowly. The shutter will remain open for as long as the shutter button is held in. It will close when the button is released.
After making “B” exposures, move the control lever back to “I”.
The exposure time needed will depend on the lighting conditions and subject and cannot be specified exactly, but the following will give some guidance:
| Conditions | Exposure |
|---|---|
| Near sunrise or sunset or in deep shade | 1-5 sec. |
| Indoors near to windows | 5-10 sec. |
| Interiors lit by daylight | 5-30 sec. |
Use Kodak film 620
“Verichrome” film V620
The universal film specially made for the amateur photographer. Its speed and latitude enable you to take snapshots in most daylight conditions.
“Plus-X” film PX620
A general-purpose panchromatic film of similar speed for daylight or artificial light use. A favourite of those who prefer the picture quality of a film which responds to all colours.
“Panatomic-X” film FX620
A slower panchromatic film giving extra-fine-grain negatives particularly suitable for enlarging. “Panatomic”-X is for bright subjects or sunny days.
“Super-XX” film XX620
A panchromatic film of highest speed for indoor and artificial light pictures, for outdoor snapshots in dull weather, and for all photographs taken in poor light.
Use a Kodak No. 4 (yellow) Filter for better clouds and rendering of colour contrasts. This, and a “Portra” Lens for use when taking close-ups, can be fitted by means of a No. 370 “Kodak” Lens Attachment.
Printed in England. Kodak Limited London.