The Six-20 Brownie box camera was made by Kodak in the US and Kodak Ltd. in the UK between May 1933 & April 1941. The US and UK models were entirely different in both construction and art-deco facia. Both took eight 6x9cm images on 620 film.
US Model[]
The US model's lens feature two focusing zones, "5-10 feet", and "10 feet and beyond" selected by a spring-loaded lever below the lens, and an aperture selection slider. Introduced in March 1933, it was made until April 1941.
The Six-16 Brownie was almost identical to the US Six-20, but slightly larger, for 616 film. The KODAK Six-20 Brownie Junior is also similar, but with a different faceplate, and without the focusing lens.
UK Model[]
UK model (1937-41) |
There were two versions of the UK model; the earlier (1934-37) having an unusual strut connection linking the front to the back via a hinged pressure plate, and the later (1937-41) having a more conventional rear door with a sprung catch, and removable film carrier. The controls were arranged around the lens; a small B-I shutter selector (on the early model; moved to the side on later), and two levers giving a choice of three distances and three apertures - labelled "f11", "16" and "22 (B Only), see manual". The shutter release was on the side, equipped with a cable-release socket. The plated brass front has been described as "Kodak Girl" vertical stripes.
Links[]
- US model on George Eastman House site
- US model Six-20 & Six-16 manual on Chuck Baker's Brownie-Camera.com
- UK model Six-20 manual on Chuck Baker's Brownie-Camera.com
- Kodak Brownie Six-20 and Kodak Brownie Six-20 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
- US model Six-20 Brownie, UK Model Six-20 Brownie,UK Brownie Six-20 Model D, UK Six-20 Popular Brownie & UK Six-20 Brownie Senior at Pete Lutz's f/6.3 Studio site
- Six-20 Brownie D at r-kobus.eu by Ryszard Kobus