Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Vintage Camera Review by Katya Rowny

Written by Katya Rowny

One of the joys of shooting film are the opportunities that come with trying different analog cameras. Having friends that support this habit–I mean, hobby–are the best kind. This past summer, my friend shipped me a Brownie Hawkeye Flash model that they came across, condition unknown.

The Kodak Brownie Hawkeye is one of the most iconic cameras of the mid-century. You can find them in antique shops, thrift shops, and garage sales. They seem to be one of the most accessible and straightforward cameras to stumble upon.

The excitement and delight of adding a new camera to your collection is unmatched! I was so excited to deep dive and use this iconic mid century camera. Holding it was like stepping back in time.

Find the Kodak Brownie Hawkeye film camera on eBay.

History of the Brownie Hawkeye

Produced from 1949 to 1961, the Brownie Hawkeye cameras were designed by Arthur Crapsey Jr., who was responsible for creating many notable Kodak models, including the Pony, Stereo, Signet 35 through 80, among others.

The Brownie Hawkeye was primarily made from Tenite, a newly developed thermoplastic that was lighter and less brittle than Bakelite, the material commonly used for early 20th-century cameras. Early versions of the camera featured metal film advance knobs, which were soon replaced by plastic ones.

The “Brownie” series, which was launched in 1900, became one of Kodak’s most popular lines because of its affordability and ease of use. The name “Brownie” came from popular cartoon characters created by Palmer Cox, which were used in Kodak’s advertising.

The original Kodak Brownie, released in 1900, revolutionized photography by making it accessible to the masses. It was a simple, inexpensive box camera that used 620 film, which allowed people without specialized knowledge to take pictures.

Made for Everyday Users

Kodak didn’t create these cameras with professionals in mind; instead, they were designed to make photography easier for everyday users who wanted to capture family vacations or social events.

Their advertisement proclaimed, “No fuss- simple as ABC.” The Brownie Hawkeye Flash Outfit- complete (gift box with a roll of film and a couple of bulbs) sold for $13.95.

With so many units manufactured, they can now be found at relatively low prices.

Camera Build of the Kodak Brownie

The camera body is made from molded Bakelite plastic and features a convenient carry strap integrated into the top. Just in front of the handle is the viewfinder, which offers a waist-level, uncorrected (reversed) image.

The body consists of two pieces held together by a lock that rotates around the handle stud. Notably, there are no foam seals that could deteriorate over time.

Kodak cameras and lenses can be dated to the month and year of manufacture by the code word CAMEROSITY, where each letter indicates numerals 1 through 0:

My Hawkeye has “YSRI” printed which means that my camera was produced in July of 1958. Earlier models had glass lenses while later production switched to plastic to cut costs. Rumor has it that the switch happened in 1957.

Film advancement is managed by a small knob on the lower right side, which only rotates in one direction. Additionally, a small red window is embedded in the rear of the body, allowing users to keep track of the frame numbers printed on the film’s paper backing.

Features & Specifications

The Hawkeye is a medium-format box camera designed for 620 format film. Each roll of 620 film provides 12 exposures, with each negative measuring 6x6cm (2 ¼ x 2 ¼ inches).

The camera features a single-element meniscus lens, made of either glass or plastic, with a fixed focusing distance from 5 feet to infinity. The aperture is fixed, likely around f/16, and the lens has an estimated focal length of approximately 80mm (though sources online vary on this).

The shutter speed is estimated to be between 1/30th and 1/60th of a second and the camera is also capable of taking long (bulb) exposures. The shutter mechanism operates using a rotary design, rotating to expose the film.

Film Type: 620 Roll Film (twelve 6cm x 6cm exposures per roll)
Lens: 81mm f/15 uncoated Single Element Meniscus
Focus: Fixed, 5 feet to Infinity
Viewfinder: Waist Level Reflex Viewfinder
Shutter: Rotary
Speeds: Bulb, 1/40 Single Speed
Exposure Meter: None
Battery: None
Flash Mount: Kodalite Midget Flash Holder
Weight: 460 grams
Manual: https://www.cameramanuals.org/kodak_pdf/kodak_brownie_hawkeye.pdf

Kodak Brownie Hawkeye Image Quality

Images from this camera have a unique quality—better than some might expect.

Since the lens is a single element and uncoated, focus softens slightly at the edges, and there is some mild chromatic aberration. The narrow aperture, combined with the lack of correction for light fall-off, results in noticeable vignetting in the corners.

Additionally, there’s a faint but present barrel distortion. Flare is an issue due to the flat front surfaces of both the lens and the protective glass in front of the shutter, so it’s best to keep the sun well off-axis.

Using 120 Film in a 620 Camera

Opening the camera to load film, it’s clearly labeled to load only with Kodak 620 film, specifying that 120 film is not compatible.

The downside is that Kodak stopped producing 620 film in the 1990s. However, the good news is that you can still use 120 film in the Hawkeye with a simple adjustment. The only real difference between 120 and 620 film is the spool size and material used.

The 620 spool is metal and has a narrower core and smaller, thinner ends compared to the 120 spool. The same type of film can be wound onto either spool. In fact, early versions of the Hawkeye could use both 120 and 620 spools interchangeably, until Kodak decided to alter the film holders to accept only 620 film.

I would surmise this move was so that Kodak could further maximize on sales of their film with their own brand of cameras, whereas 120 film was produced by a variety of manufacturers.

If you have one of the earlier Hawkeye models, you can use 120 film without any modifications. Thankfully, this is the case for my model.

For the later versions, a small modification may be required. There is a small metal tab on the upper film holder (where the new roll goes) that can be bent back, and use a 620 spool to take up the film on the bottom. Fortunately, 620 spools are easy to find online through eBay or the Film Photography Project.

One thing to remember is to ask the film lab to send the metal spool back if you send your film off for development.

If modifying your camera isn’t something you want to do, another option is to transfer the film from a 120 spool to a 620 spool in a film changing bag.

You can also find pre-rolled 620 film from certain online sources, such as The Film Photography Project. Another possibility is to file the 120 spool down with sandpaper or to use nail clippers and cut the rim around the spool to shape it similarly to the 620 roll.

Notes for Using 120 Film in a 620 Camera

Using 120 film in a modified Hawkeye can present some practical challenges. Due to the differing shape of the spool, I often encounter resistance when winding it at the start until I’ve advanced enough of the backing paper for the film to begin feeding properly.

Additionally, the film tends to wind at a slight diagonal because of the 120 spool’s shape. As a result, I sometimes end up with a “fat roll” on the 620 take-up spool. I have found that when winding the film, using short quick turns is better than longer winds.

Getting Creative with the Brownie Hawkeye

Working within the constraints of the camera can be challenging and fun. Some might find this camera simple and boring, unappealing even.

There are some fun modifications you can do with this camera. The Brownie Hawkeye is designed for double exposures—simply press the shutter button again for a second or third shot. However, the standard practice is to advance the film to the next number visible through the red window on the back right after taking a picture to avoid unintentional double exposures.

Interestingly, Kodak intended for the Hawkeye to accommodate time exposures, which is a bit puzzling since it lacks a tripod thread on the base. This implies that users should prop the camera on a flat surface and hope for steady shots.

When you lift the light gray plastic molding on the top left, you’ll see the word “LONG,” indicating that the shutter will remain open as long as you hold down the release button on the right side—an interesting design choice!

Another fun option is to do a lens flip. The normal orientation of the lens is to have the concave side facing your subject. Simply turn the lens around to the convex side and tighten the screws on the front of the camera.

Final Thoughts

Production of the Hawkeye Brownie Flash Model stopped in the early 1960s, but its legacy endured. Many Hawkeye Brownies remain in working condition today, and they are collected by camera enthusiasts and vintage photography buffs around the world.

This camera may not produce high quality photos or sharp images, but this camera is enjoyable and worthy of an opportunity to pleasantly surprise you. So the next time you come across a Kodak Hawkeye Brownie in the wild, do yourself a favor and bring it home with you.

Thank you so much, Katya! Katya is a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film, and you can check out her other articles here, such as the Minolta Autocord Film Camera Review and 5 Ways to Showcase Your Photography Work. 

You can also find more of Katya’s work on her website and Instagram.

Leave your questions about the Hawkeye Brownie below in the comments, and you can pick one up for yourself on eBay.

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Katya Rowny

Katya Rowny is a travel photographer and a regular contributor for Shoot It With Film. Find her other articles here, such as Olympus XA2 Point & Shoot Film Camera Review and Elektra 100 Film Review.

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