About this edition
Picture Taking with the Brownie Reflex, Synchro Model. This text edition retains the readable booklet text, captions, labels and tables from fourteen source images, including spreads through printed page 27. Original photographs and diagrams are omitted. Small printer codes are excluded. Original page references refer to the booklet.
Credit: Eastman Kodak Company. Source copy: The Brownie Camera Page.
This Instruction Manual
… was prepared to help you make good pictures right from the start, and consequently get more enjoyment from photography. There are many Kodak publications on various phases of photography available at your Kodak dealer’s – some free and some at a nominal price. Ask for them. Any comments or questions concerning your results with this camera or your interests in picture making will be welcome.
Sales Service Division, Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester 4, New York.
Picture taking with the Brownie Reflex Synchro Model
You will enjoy every picture-taking moment that you spend with your Brownie Reflex Synchro Model, because it combines simplicity of operation with excellent performance.
This manual gives you quickly and simply the essentials of camera operation. Read it carefully.
The smaller print shows the actual picture size as it appears on the negative – 1⅝ × 1⅝ inches. The enlarged print is the standard size – 2¾ × 2¾ inches, offered by photofinishers.
| Section | Page |
|---|---|
| What film to use | 6 |
| Loading the camera | 8 |
| Snapshots | 11 |
| Photoflash | 14 |
| Close-ups | 19 |
| Photofloods | 20 |
| Time Exposures | 22 |
| Suggestions for better pictures | 24 |
| Removing the film | 27 |
It’s Easy to Operate
To take any picture all you do is:
- Check the distance, keeping in mind that anything five feet from the camera and beyond is photographed sharply.
- Set the time lever in one of two positions: “I” for Instantaneous Exposures (Snapshots) or “B” for Time Exposures.
- Press the exposure button.
Illustration labels: A – Time lever; B – Exposure button; C – View finder; D – Film winding knob.
It has a reflex finder in which you see your subject in actual picture size, resulting in excellent pictures right from the start because you know just what each picture will include before you take it.
It takes flash pictures with the aid of a Brownie Flasholder. With this attachment you can take pictures any time – day or night – indoors or out – winter or summer. The Flasholder is put on in a matter of seconds and the flash is set off by the shutter, thus making flash pictures simple to take. You merely press the exposure button the same as when taking non-flash pictures.
It takes color pictures as well as black and white.
Illustration caption: Brownie Flasholder for Brownie Reflex Synchro Model.
What film to use
Size
Use Kodak Film No. 127. The negative size is 1⅝ × 1⅝ inches.
Type
To obtain best results, follow the recommendations below and select the type of film best suited to the pictures you plan to make.
- For outdoor pictures in sunlight or for pictures with Photoflash Lamps use: Kodak Verichrome Film, 12 exposures, V127; or, Kodak Plus-X Panchromatic Film, 12 exposures, PX127.
- For indoor snapshots with Photoflood Lamps use only: Kodak Super-XX Panchromatic Film, 12 exposures, XX127.
NOTE: Kodak Super-XX Film is not recommended for use in bright sunlight with this camera.
- For pictures in full color use Kodacolor Film, 9 exposures, C127. Exposed outdoors in bright sunlight only, this film yields color negatives from which Kodacolor prints can be ordered through Kodak dealers.
To Load
- Turn the Latch A on the back of the camera to “OPEN” and pull the Film Holder B out of the bottom of the camera.
- The Empty Spool C in the Film Holder, above the Winding Knob, is to be used as the take-up spool on which the exposed film will be wound.
- Put the roll of film in the side D of the Film Holder with the Slotted Pin end of the film spool in the bottom hole.
Note! Do not break the seal on the roll of film before the roll has been placed in the Film Holder as there is danger of the film unwinding and becoming fogged.
Spool illustration labels: E – Slotted pin end; F – Plain pin end.
Load camera in subdued light – never in strong, direct light.
- Break the seal on the roll of film. Pull the end of the paper across the opening in the back of the Film Holder and thread it through the longer slit in the take-up spool as far as it will go. Make certain that the black side of the paper is toward the inside of the Film Holder. Turn the Winding Knob and bind the end of the paper securely to the take-up spool; two or three turns are sufficient. Be sure that the paper is started straight on the take-up spool.
- Replace the Film Holder and turn the Latch on the back of the camera to “LOCK.”
- Turn the Winding Knob until a small hand appears in the red window on the back of the camera. Continue turning the Winding Knob slowly until the figure 1 is centered in the window. You are now ready for your first picture.
Load the film in subdued light – never in direct sunlight or strong artificial light.
Snapshots
Illustration labels: Exposure button; Time lever; Winding knob.
- Set the Time Lever on the front of the camera at the letter “I.”
- Look in the red window on the back of the camera to make certain you have advanced the film.
- Check the distance, remembering to keep at least 5 feet from the subject because the Brownie Reflex is a fixed-focus camera and only objects 5 feet and beyond photograph sharply.
CAUTION: Although a close-up subject appears sharp in the finder, do not make pictures of subjects closer than 5 feet unless you use a Kodak Close-Up Attachment No. 13. (See Page 19.)
Outdoor snapshots can be made any time from one hour after sunrise until one hour before sunset. For best results, the subject should be in bright sunlight or open shade with unobstructed clear sky overhead.
With the sun behind your back or over your shoulder, locate the subject in the finder the way you want it to appear in the picture.
Photograph captions: Front Lighting; Side Lighting.
Hold the camera steady, and slowly press the Exposure Button until it clicks. If no click is heard, the shutter has not been released and no exposure has been made. Any movement of the camera during exposure blurs the picture, therefore, hold your breath as you press the Exposure Button.
Advance the film to the next exposure number by turning the Winding Knob and you are ready for the next picture. Get into the habit of advancing the film immediately after taking each picture.
Photoflash Pictures
Pictures at night, either indoors or out, can be made with the aid of a Brownie Flasholder and SM Photoflash Lamps. Each lamp yields a single flash which lasts 1/200th of a second. Because the flash is over so quickly, it is fast enough to catch a child at play.
Load the camera with Kodak Verichrome or Kodak Plus-X Panchromatic Film.
Attach the Brownie Flasholder by sliding the forked end A of the bracket under the small metal knob on the side of the camera; then push the bracket down until the hole in the other end of the bracket fits over the screw B on the top of the camera. Plug the end C of the rubber Flasholder cable into the socket on the front of the camera. The cable must be connected from underneath as illustrated or it will interfere with the camera lens.
Install the Batteries by lifting either one of the metal clips on the back of the Flasholder battery case and removing the back cover. Place two pen-sized pocket flashlight batteries in the case so that their heads point in opposite directions as illustrated. Replace the back cover on the battery case and make sure both metal clips snap into position.
Set the Time Lever at the letter “I.”
Insert an SM lamp into the reflector socket and give the lamp a slight turn clockwise to lock it in position.
Check the lamp-to-subject distance according to the table and locate the subject in the finder.
Press the Exposure Button until it clicks. This will open the shutter and flash the lamp.
Remove the used lamp by turning the Ejector Knob D on the back of the reflector socket.
| Film | Lamp to subject distance |
|---|---|
| Verichrome | From 3* feet to 12 feet |
| Plus-X | From 6 feet to 15 feet |
| Super-XX | From 8 feet to 20 feet |
*The Kodak Close-Up Attachment No. 13 must be used at distances less than 5 feet.
Note: The above distances are for interiors with light-colored walls and ceilings. For outdoor pictures at night, keep subjects at the nearer distances.
Caution: Under certain conditions, the lamps may crack or shatter when flashed. It is therefore recommended that a protective transparent plastic screen be used over the front of the reflector. Do not flash the lamps in an explosive atmosphere without safety equipment.
The No. 5 Photoflash Lamp
Although No. 5 Lamps fit the receptacle they are not recommended for use with this camera. The Brownie Reflex Synchro Model, was designed for use with the SM Photoflash Lamp.
If, however, a No. 5 Lamp is used, set the Time Lever at the letter “B”, place the camera on a tripod or other firm support and photograph only still subjects. The lamp-to-subject distances for the No. 5 are given in the following table.
| Film | Lamp to subject distance |
|---|---|
| Verichrome | From 6 feet to 15 feet |
| Plus-X | From 7 feet to 18 feet |
| Super-XX | From 9 feet to 25 feet |
Close-Ups with the Kodak Close-Up Attachment No. 13
The Brownie Reflex is a fixed-focus camera so that only subjects 5 feet from the camera and beyond are photographed sharply. For pictures closer than 5 feet, such as head and shoulder portraits, or close-ups of flowers and similar subjects, obtain a Kodak Close-Up Attachment No. 13. The attachment snaps over the camera lens and the subjects must then be between 3 and 4½ feet from the camera.
Photoflood Pictures
Indoor snapshots can be made by using Photoflood Lamps which give a steady light of great brilliance.
Lamps – Obtain one No. 1 and one No. 2 Photoflood Lamp and suitable reflectors from your photographic dealer. The No. 2 lamp gives twice the light of the No. 1 lamp. Photoflood Lamps fit all regular sockets.
Film – For snapshots with Photofloods, use only Kodak Super-XX Film.
CAUTION: Do not touch the lamps or allow them to be in contact with anything while they are in use because they become very hot.
Snapshots with Photofloods
Set the Time Lever at the letter “I”.
Place a lamp at each side of the subject as shown in the diagram. Both lamps must be 3½ feet from the subject and the No. 2 lamp should be from 2 to 4 feet higher than the No. 1 lamp. The subject should be near a light-colored background.
Diagram labels: A – No. 2 Photoflood; B – No. 1 Photoflood.
Hold the camera at least 5 feet from the subject.
Compose the picture in the finder; be sure the lamps are not included.
Press the Exposure Button just as you would to take a snapshot outdoors.
Time Exposures
When the light is not bright enough for a snapshot, and Photoflash lamps are not available, you can still get the picture by making a time exposure.
For a time exposure, the camera must always be placed on a tripod or some other firm support – not held in the hands or the picture will be blurred.
Set the Time Lever at the letter “B.”
Press the Exposure Button in as far as it will go and hold it there; the shutter will remain open until you release it.
Exterior Views at Night
Striking scenes with unusual lighting effects like the one on the opposite page are possible at night. This example required a 5-minute exposure.
Interior Pictures by Artificial Light
The use of existing home lighting in preference to daylight in most instances provides more even illumination.
Set the camera fairly high on a tripod or other solid support. When only ordinary electric lamps supply the illumination, rooms with subdued light will require a time exposure of about 30 seconds with Kodak Super-XX Film. For brightly lighted rooms, make an exposure of about 8 seconds.
For unusual lighting conditions (very subdued lighting), a series of three exposures should be made, one at 8 seconds, one at 30 seconds, and one at 2 minutes; one of these should produce a good negative.
If Kodak Verichrome or Plus-X Film is used, the above exposures should be doubled.
Indoor Portraits Near a Window
Use Super-XX Film and a reflector (a tablecloth over a chair will do). Make an exposure of about one second.
Suggestions for Taking Better Pictures
Make them interesting – They should tell a story at a glance. To help achieve natural unposed effects, give your subjects something to do.
Check the background – Look beyond the subject and exclude uninteresting and distracting objects. Be sure the background serves merely as a setting for the picture.
Low-angle shots are pleasing and many unusual and interesting effects can be obtained in this way. Remember the sky makes good background.
Moving subjects can be photographed if the subject’s path of travel is toward or away from the camera.
Removing the Film
- Turn the Winding Knob until the protective paper not only passes the red window but is drawn up to the film spool.
- Turn the Latch on the back of the camera to “OPEN” and remove the Film Holder. Do not allow the film to unwind from the spool or it will be fogged.
- Push the roll of film up against the spring until the lower end of the film spool is out of the bottom hole; then lift out the roll of film.
CAUTION: After removing the roll of film, do not twist it tight on the spool or you may scratch the film.
- Fold under the end of the protective paper and fasten it with the sticker.
- Move the empty spool to the Winding Knob side of the Film Holder with the slotted pin end of the spool in the bottom hole and engaged with the Winding Knob crosspiece. The camera is now ready to be reloaded. Replace the Film Holder and turn the Latch on the back of the camera to “LOCK.”
Printed in the United States of America.