Kodak Brownie Flash IV

Specification

Art Deco Credentials

Noteworthy: Worth giving special attention

• Produced after the main Art Deco period;
• Horizontal stripes to front panel;
• Rounded corners from the streamline era;
• Imitation pigskin covering;
• Concentric circles on the lens bezel, shutter button and strap posts;
• Gilt colour embellishments on strap posts, film door, viewfinders, flash connection panel and tripod mounts;
• Symmetrical face.

Description

The Kodak Brownie Flash IV is a box-type camera from the 1950s. The facade has horizontal stripes from the early Art Deco period but the corners are rounded indicative of the Streamline Moderne period. Other features like the concentric circles and the gilt colour embellishments are from the main Art Deco period. The metal body is covered in imitation pigskin. Features include two brilliant finders, two pin flash contacts, a shutter safety catch, tripod sockets and a cable release socket.

The camera supports portraits by using a 'close up' lens that can be moved into position by pulling a tab on the side. Focus with the portrait lense is between 3 and 6ft. There is another tab that can be pulled to move a yellow filter into place. This filter is best used with black & white film to increase the contrast between the sky and clouds on a sunny day.

The Brownie Flash IV is a deluxe version of the Brownie Flash III camera.

How to Use

See Instruction Manual here. This camera takes 620 film which is still available from selected photographic outlets. Although the actual film is the same as 120 film, the spools are different. The 620 spools are slightly shorter and have a smaller diameter. Do not use 120 film in this camera because it will jam and may snap. It is possible to cut down a spool of 120 film to fit or to re-spool some 120 film onto 620 spools in a darkroom or changing bag. Don't forget to ask for your 620 spool back when getting the film developed.