4 ms·

I have a Brownie Hawkeye stashed away. Solid, smooth, and bulletproof. I'm hoping someday, my grandkids will have access to some actual film and someone who can

I have a Brownie Hawkeye stashed away. Solid, smooth, and bulletproof. I'm hoping someday, my grandkids will have access to some actual film and someone who can develop it, so they can play with it. Anyway, if you look in the junk shops, the going rate on those seems to be about $24, which might be surprisingly low until you realize how many were made. Millions?

ginko 8y ago
$24 doesn't seem that low considering how limited brownies are. For that money you should be able to find a basic MF folding camera that'll give you a lot more control over your picture and fits nicely in your pocket(edit: well, coat pocket).
- jacobush 8y ago
  Yes, but at this point, the Brownie is a cultural icon and a working camera. $24 is pretty OK for that. Props to the FPP for selling film adapters https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/film-related-accessories/products/adapter-116-to-120-film-adapter https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/film-related-ac...
  - ovi256 8y ago
    Waiting for a MF digital sensor that uploads the pic to a smarthphone. That would be instagramming in style.
- sizzzzlerz 8y ago
  I don't thinks its value is in it's picture-taking capabilities which are quite crude by modern standards. Any value it may have is based upon it collectability and rareness. Based on that valuation, it doesn't seem to be either collectable nor rare. In that case, its probably more of a nostalgia item.
carbolite103 8y ago
I've shot numerous rolls of 120 through my Hawkeye, spooling onto a 620 reel. While the image quality leaves something to be desired the camera itself is beautifully designed and so dirt simple that you never have to worry about anything malfunctioning. Folding cameras are technically superior but quite fiddly and prone to issues with lubricants turning to glue.
FussyZeus 8y ago
Is nobody at all making film anymore? I know the big companies have all moved on to digital but I figured there had to be a niche market for film.
- ginko 8y ago
  There's actually a resurgence in film making. A bunch of small film makers are starting production again (ADOX and Ferrania come to mind) and Kodak recently reintroduced T-Max P3200 and is in the process of ramping up Ektachrome production.
- brudgers 8y ago
  Some Brownies use the physical format of 620 film. It is no longer manufactured.[1] People can respool 620 spindles from commercially available 120 physical format. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/120_film#Other_similar_6_cm_roll_films https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/120_film#Other_similar_6_cm_ro...

ginko 8y ago

$24 doesn't seem that low considering how limited brownies are. For that money you should be able to find a basic MF folding camera that'll give you a lot more control over your picture and fits nicely in your pocket(edit: well, coat pocket).

jacobush 8y ago
Yes, but at this point, the Brownie is a cultural icon and a working camera. $24 is pretty OK for that. Props to the FPP for selling film adapters https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/film-related-accessories/products/adapter-116-to-120-film-adapter https://filmphotographystore.com/collections/film-related-ac...
- ovi256 8y ago
  Waiting for a MF digital sensor that uploads the pic to a smarthphone. That would be instagramming in style.
sizzzzlerz 8y ago
I don't thinks its value is in it's picture-taking capabilities which are quite crude by modern standards. Any value it may have is based upon it collectability and rareness. Based on that valuation, it doesn't seem to be either collectable nor rare. In that case, its probably more of a nostalgia item.

carbolite103 8y ago

I've shot numerous rolls of 120 through my Hawkeye, spooling onto a 620 reel. While the image quality leaves something to be desired the camera itself is beautifully designed and so dirt simple that you never have to worry about anything malfunctioning. Folding cameras are technically superior but quite fiddly and prone to issues with lubricants turning to glue.

FussyZeus 8y ago

Is nobody at all making film anymore? I know the big companies have all moved on to digital but I figured there had to be a niche market for film.

ginko 8y ago
There's actually a resurgence in film making. A bunch of small film makers are starting production again (ADOX and Ferrania come to mind) and Kodak recently reintroduced T-Max P3200 and is in the process of ramping up Ektachrome production.
brudgers 8y ago
Some Brownies use the physical format of 620 film. It is no longer manufactured.[1] People can respool 620 spindles from commercially available 120 physical format. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/120_film#Other_similar_6_cm_roll_films https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/120_film#Other_similar_6_cm_ro...