Speed for box camera film: I have a 1915 Kodak box camera and I would like to take some pictures to see how well these early cameras worked. But I have no idea what speed film to buy.

PhotoTex Loc: Texas

I have a 1915 Kodak box camera and I would like to take some pictures to see how well these early cameras worked. But I have no idea what speed film to buy. Does anyone have some ideas on this?
Photo Tex

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

You didn't mention the film size your camera takes (620, 616, 827, blahblahblah). Your choice of film speed may well be restricted by what is still available, perhaps only one. Most likely it would be around ASA/ISO 100 to 200, which is fine for general use.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

If yours is a Brownie #2, it takes 120 film. Look here for some information:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117786701/vintage-1915-kodak-brownie-no-2-box

PhotoTex Loc: Texas

Mogul wrote:

If yours is a Brownie #2, it takes 120 film. Look here for some information:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117786701/vintage-1915-kodak-brownie-no-2-box

Thanks for the response. The camera indicates it was built for 120 film, but doesn't say what speed is needed. I bought a role of ASA 400, but I was trying to find out if another speed would work better. If so, I can exchange what I have for a more appropriate film

PhotoTex Loc: Texas

Danilo wrote:

You didn't mention the film size your camera takes (620, 616, 827, blahblahblah). Your choice of film speed may well be restricted by what is still available, perhaps only one. Most likely it would be around ASA/ISO 100 to 200, which is fine for general use.

I sent a message to the owner of a similar camer to ask about speed, but he hasn't responded yet. If he doesn't, I will take your advice and exchange one roll I have for an ASA of 200.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PhotoTex wrote:

Mogul wrote:

If yours is a Brownie #2, it takes 120 film. Look here for some information:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117786701/vintage-1915-kodak-brownie-no-2-box

Thanks for the response. The camera indicates it was built for 120 film, but doesn't say what speed is needed. I bought a role of ASA 400, but I was trying to find out if another speed would work better. If so, I can exchange what I have for a more appropriate film

I'd shoot the 400 and see how it turns out - probably dark (maybe not). Maybe the developing will compensate for poor exposure. Lower speed film was more common when this camera was new.

PhotoTex Loc: Texas

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=PhotoTex quote=Mogul If yours is a Brownie... (show quote)

Jerry
Thanks for your help.
Jim

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

PhotoTex wrote:

Mogul wrote:

If yours is a Brownie #2, it takes 120 film. Look here for some information:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117786701/vintage-1915-kodak-brownie-no-2-box

Thanks for the response. The camera indicates it was built for 120 film, but doesn't say what speed is needed. I bought a role of ASA 400, but I was trying to find out if another speed would work better. If so, I can exchange what I have for a more appropriate film

Generally older films had very low ASA (ISO) ratings. I would suggest you use a film with a speed of 100 (or less if you can find one). Here is the address for a site that will show you your options:
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Film%20%26%20Darkroom&cat2=Film&cat3=Black%20%26%20White%20Film

PhotoTex Loc: Texas

Mogul wrote:

quote=PhotoTex quote=Mogul If yours is a Brownie... (show quote)

kitcar Loc: Liverpool.Merseyside. UK

PhotoTex wrote:

I have a 1915 Kodak box camera and I would like to take some pictures to see how well these early cameras worked. But I have no idea what speed film to buy. Does anyone have some ideas on this?
Photo Tex

Being one of the oldies I like others I have run the whole gambit of cameras. Re' your question to 400ASA. with the Brownie, you have no control (basically) over aperture or shutter speed but it will be OK if the light reading is low (overcast), but knowing the work of a lot of processing houses you will still be pleased with the results. Kitcar
Further to my previose opinion to your question, what results can be attained with the Kodak Brownie?
Years ago I used to go to an international photographic exibition in Birkenhead UK with top awards. In the portrait section quite a few of us used to search out a regular photographer who year after year had a portrait hung (an achievment in itself) with the camera details "Kodak Brownie". I can't imagine he didn't have a top range camera of the day, but the challenge was the Kodak Brownie.The photograpger had an ARPS after his name, so knowing the shutter speed/ lens aperture & setting up his lighting to suit , his results were print any body would be thrilled with. So Photo Tex push that Kodak Brownie to its limits. Kitcar

jimward Loc: Perth, Western Australia

Surely it depends on the conditions in which you're shooting, same as choosing the ISO in digital photography. ASA 200 sounds like a good "one size fits all" to me.

wjames Loc: Australia

im showing my age here, but it was my first camera.....vericrome 120 film i used and it was designed to be sharpest at 16ft and the aperature hole if i remember correctly was f8 with a shutter speed of 1/30th. Mine also had a setting for bulb and the very first film i put through was authocramatic (not sensitive to red light ),so you could process it with a red light on in the darkroom.Which in my case was the barthroom with a blanket over the window

GC-FineArt Loc: WDC

In general, "medium speed" (ISO 100 or so) is the max these Kodak Brownies can handle. Suggest you contact Chuck Baker who maintains the Brownie Camera Page (excellent resource) http://www.brownie-camera.com/ for the best answer.

Dr Grump Loc: Southern New England

PhotoTex wrote:

I have a 1915 Kodak box camera and I would like to take some pictures to see how well these early cameras worked. But I have no idea what speed film to buy. Does anyone have some ideas on this?
Photo Tex

Some of those early Brownies had two aperture settings. There was a metal tab, a tiny one at the top of the box, over the lens. Pulling up on it (use a fingernail) gives you a smaller lens opening. I know this may or may not be useful to you but there it is.

plewislambert

When I was given my first camera (a Kodak 8 on 120) it had a shutter speed of 1/25 and apertures of f11, f16, f22. Definition was dire at f11 and better at f22 with more in focus. I reduced the shutter speed to 1/100 and used 400 ISO Ilford film, since grain didn't matter. Exposure was often incorrect and the results were never good. I bought a 1955 Ensign Ranger Special with what I earned pumping gas and the results it gave were much better, more so when I bought a Weston Master lightmeter.
All I'm saying is, you would get much better results with a camera with a decent lens and a few shutter speeds.
Philip