Kodak Six-20 Brownie Model E – Instruction Leaflet

About this edition

This text edition transcribes all five source pages of the Kodak Limited, London leaflet for the SIX-20 Brownie Model E, with flash contacts, filter and close-up lens. No publication date is identified. Illustrations and the decorative cover photograph are omitted; all control labels and printed instructions are retained. These are historical instructions and product recommendations.

Credit: Kodak Limited, London. Source copy: The Brownie Camera Page.

How to use your SIX-20 “Brownie” Camera – Model E

With flash contacts, filter and close-up lens.

Get to know your camera

• Catch: Lift to open the camera.
• Viewfinder: For horizontal pictures.
• Viewfinder: For vertical pictures.
• Filter slide: Pull out for snapshots in brilliant light.
• Close-up slide: Pull out for close-up pictures from 5 to 10 feet. Press in for subjects farther away than 10 feet.
• Control lever: Set to “I” for Instantaneous Snapshots, and “B” for Brief-Time exposures.
• Camera lens.
• Shutter safety catch: Prevents accidental exposures.
• Shutter button: Press slowly inwards for snapshots. Follow special instructions for Brief-Time exposures.
• Socket for cable release.
• Tripod bush: Underneath – for screwing on to a tripod.
• Flasholder contacts: Use “Kodak” Flasholder with Class F or M flashbulbs. Set shutter to “I”.

Kodak, Brownie, Verichrome, Panatomic, Plus-X and Super-XX are trade marks.

How to load

Load your camera with “Kodak” 620 film in the shade – never in direct sunlight or strong artificial light.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. D. After drawing the paper over the back of the Film Holder, fix 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

1. Set Control Lever to “I” (instantaneous) for all snapshots.
2. Look in the red window to make certain that you have advanced the film.
3. Check the distance. For subjects between 5 and 10 feet, pull out the Close-up Slide. For subjects more than 10 feet away, be sure to have the Close-up Slide pushed in.
4. Check the light. The subject can be in bright or hazy sunlight, between an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. When the subject is in brilliant sunshine pull out the filter slide to get better clouds and rendering of subject colours.
5. Compose the picture. Decide whether it is to be horizontal or vertical. The Viewfinder tells you what your picture will include.
6. Hold the camera steady. Camera shake will blur the picture. Press the Shutter Button inwards with a gentle squeezing action.
7. Advance the film to the next exposure.

Brief-time exposures

When there is not enough light for a snapshot, a Brief-Time Exposure is made. Place the camera on a tripod or other firm support. Be sure the camera front is within 2 or 3 inches from the edge to prevent the support from showing 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:

Printed in England. Printer code: 5/21/7TF100355.

Kodak Limited London.

Use Kodak film 620

“Verichrome” film V620

The universal film specially made for the amateur photographer. Its speed and latitude make it possible 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 flash and artificial light pictures, and for outdoor snapshots in dull weather, or in poor light. It is too fast for use in summer sunshine.