Box Brownie Target Six-20 E

Description

The Kodak Six-20 Brownie E is another member of the Box Brownie family produced by Kodak in the 1930s. It’s a straightforward, affordable camera that was marketed to the mass public, making photography accessible to amateurs.

Here’s a breakdown of the key features and history of the Kodak Six-20 Brownie E:

Key Features of the Kodak Six-20 Brownie E:

1. Film Format:
   Like other Box Brownie cameras, the Six-20 Brownie E used 620 roll film, which is now somewhat hard to find, though you can adapt 120 film by re-spooling it onto 620 spools.

2. Lens:
   The camera was equipped with a meniscus lens. This lens is a single element lens, offering basic image quality. It doesn’t have the sharpness of modern lenses, but it does contribute to a characteristic soft-focus look typical of early cameras.

3. Viewfinder:
   The Brownie E features a simple rectangular viewfinder that makes it easy to compose shots. The design of the camera is aimed at simplicity, so the viewfinder is also relatively straightforward without complex adjustments.

4. Shutter:
   The shutter on the Kodak Six-20 Brownie E was generally a single-speed shutter with two settings: Instant and Time. The “Time” setting allows for longer exposures, which could be useful for shooting in low-light conditions.

5. Design and Build:
   The Kodak Six-20 Brownie E had a box-like design with a cardboard body covered with imitation leather, which was typical for many of the Box Brownie cameras. The camera was lightweight and portable, which made it ideal for casual photographers and families.

6. Focus and Aperture:
   The camera typically had a fixed focus and a simple aperture setting. This means you didn’t have to worry about adjusting focus or choosing an aperture for different lighting conditions—just point and shoot.

7. Simplicity:
   One of the main selling points of the Kodak Six-20 Brownie E was its simplicity. It was designed to be an easy-to-use camera for anyone, especially beginners. The lack of complicated controls made it a great introduction to photography for many families during the Great Depression.

Legacy:

The Kodak Six-20 Brownie E is a part of the long line of Box Brownies that Kodak produced, which were responsible for democratizing photography in the 20th century. This camera, like many others in the Box Brownie series, was relatively inexpensive and aimed at everyday use, enabling average people to capture family moments, landscapes, and snapshots without needing technical expertise.

The Kodak Six-20 Brownie E is now a vintage collectible item for photography enthusiasts. Many people appreciate the charm of using these old cameras to capture unique images with the soft-focus, nostalgic quality that they offer.

Using the Camera Today:

As mentioned, 620 film is no longer in production, so finding it can be challenging. However, many photographers still use the camera today by re-spooling 120 film onto 620 spools. The images you get from the Kodak Six-20 Brownie E have a distinctive look due to the basic lens and exposure system, and there’s something special about shooting with such a simple, vintage camera.

If you’re planning to use the Kodak Six-20 Brownie E, you’ll find that it’s a fun, low-tech way to capture moments with a bit of nostalgia!