About this edition
This text edition transcribes all five source pages of the Kodak Limited, London leaflet for the Brownie Six-20 Model F with flash contacts. No publication date is identified. The instructions also describe the built-in filter and close-up slides. Illustrations and the cover photograph are omitted; control labels, film recommendations and all printed operating instructions are retained. These are historical instructions and product claims.
Credit: Kodak Limited, London. Source copy: The Brownie Camera Page.
How to use your “Brownie” Six-20 Camera – Model F
With flash contacts.
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. Push 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 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 a “Kodak” Flasholder Type B or “Kodak” Flasholder Model II. With Class F or Class M flashbulbs set shutter to “I”.
Kodak, Brownie, Verichrome, Panatomic, Plus-X and Super-XX are trade marks.
How to load your camera
Load your camera with a size 620 film. Only load and unload in the shade – never in direct sunlight or strong artificial light.
- Open the back of the camera by lifting the catch. Draw out the Winding Key fully. Withdraw the Film Holder. Remove the empty spool.
- Place the new spool of film in the holder. Break the paper band and unwind about four inches of paper, keeping the rest of the film tightly wound.
- Take the empty spool, insert the end of the paper into the long slot and wind three turns on to the spool, black side of paper towards the inside. Be sure the paper winds evenly. Draw the paper over the Film Holder. Fix the spool into the end marked “KEY SIDE”. Replace Holder. Close camera back.
- Press in and turn the Winding Key. Continue turning until figure “1” is centred in the red window. After each picture, wind to the next number. After the last picture, wind until the paper is well past the red window, then open the back, remove the film and fold under the end of the paper. Seal with the gummed paper band.
Always 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 to “Verichrome” Film for daylight or artificial light use. A favourite film which responds to all colours.
“Panatomic”-X film FX620
A slower panchromatic film giving extra fine grain negatives particularly suitable for considerable enlargement. “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 poor light. It is too fast for use in summer sunshine.
Kodak Limited London. Printer code: 5/52/1TF801254.
Follow these simple picture-making rules
In good light
Set Control Lever to “I” (instantaneous) for all snapshots.
First, 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 it pushed in.
Next, 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.
Now compose the picture and decide whether it is to be horizontal or vertical. The Viewfinder shows you what your picture will include. Hold the camera steady, or camera motion may blur the picture.
Press the Shutter Button inwards with a gentle squeezing action. Wind on the film to the next exposure.
In poor light
For snapshots in poor light, or after dark, fit a “Kodak” Flasholder. Used with Type F or M Flashbulbs, a “Kodak” Flasholder will give you perfect pictures at snapshot exposures. Full instructions are packed with each Flasholder.
It is possible to take pictures of static subjects in poor light without a Flasholder if a Brief-Time exposure is made. Set the control lever to “B”. Place the camera on a tripod or firm support. Be sure the camera front is within 2 or 3 inches from the edge to keep the support from showing in the picture.
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 times needed will depend on the lighting conditions and subject, and cannot be specified exactly. Exposures between 5 and 15 seconds will generally give satisfactory daylight pictures indoors.