Thread: old camera

Originally Posted by Not_An_Abba_Fan

That's the thing though, just because they are old, people tend to think they are worth something. A Box Brownie is the most common camera in the world. A FB group I am part of mentioned a shop in the US that has 100's of Box Brownies for sale. There are a couple of rare ones in the vicinity of $50, but for the most part, they are 50c to $5. Most work. They are remarkably robust. I thought collecting cameras would be an interesting hobby that was relatively inexpensive if I didn't want a Leica. The few old cameras I already have were very cheap, but I'm thinking I was just very lucky.

I have a set of RRC alloys that I can't give away. I can't bring myself to throw them away. Someone someday will want them I'm sure.

I'd swap you for two Box Brownies.

I'd take you up on that if you were here. Freight would be a killer.

Thing about the Brownies - 620 film. Which is basically 120 film but on a very small thin metal spool. The two are not interchangeable, as the drive on the 120 is different to the 620....
That is essentially what makes them 'worthless'.

But, there are tricks..... If you're good with a dark bag, you can wind the 120 off it's spool, onto an empty 620 spool, then roll that 620 spool onto another empty 620 spool.
Bit of a convoluted process, but it means you can still shoot the brownie.

I've been shooting a brownie 620 e and my folding brownie 620 for a while, They are of sentimental value, as they belonged to my Nan. So the pictures taken with those cameras are always quite special, and unhurried. Normally I use delta 400, or delta 3200, particularly in poor light. I have shot the folding brownie with RVP50, but found the results to be inconsistent. Possibly shutter related...

They are huge fun to shoot with. Mostly because of that 2.8 aperture and SLOW fixed 1/30 shutter speed , it's often a case of ensuring you have the correct ISO filmstock at hand to match the ambient light and the slow shutter. The yellow filter slide and bulb modes are pointless - except for creating blur - easier to hold a filter over the front for those times you want the extra contrast on B&W, or messing about with ND's and keep the 1/30 shutter. The amount of handheld vibration is too much from the B mode.

I agree they are pretty much 'worthless' in terms of monetary value, but certainly do not feel that way about actually using them. Especially the folding 620, which is a cracker of a camera.

Clip the edge of the flange off the 120 spool back to the lip with nail clippers. It will fit then...