Kodak No2 Autographic Brownie

Specification

Art Deco Credentials

None

Description

The Kodak No2 Folding Autographic camera was introduced in 1915 and was discontinued in 1926. It is a sliding rail folding rollfilm camera. After the front is opened, the bellows are extended by sliding along a rail until they clip into place. There is a plate screwed to the base that can be moved to alter the focus. A lever at the side of the lens is used to release the sliding rail mechanism to fold the bellows into the body.

This camera uses autographic film which was produced from 1914 onward. It allowed the photographer to enter his or her own notes using a stylus through a door in the back, writing directly on to the negative. The backing becomes slightly translucent under the pressure from the stylus. With the action of daylight through the writing window, the negative is exposed by light passing through the inscription.

There are a variety of similar models. This model has 2 shutter speeds as well as T and B. The aperture is continuously variable from about f/16 to f/45. The aperture scale is annotated with numbers and description of scenarios. For the numbers, Aperture: "1", "2", "3," "4" (f/16, f/22, f/32, and f/45). For the descriptions, Aperture: "1", "2", "3," "4" (Near View/Portrait, Average View, Distant View, and Clouds Marine).

A small swivelling brilliant finder is connected to the shutter housing. There is a table mount and two tripod mounts for portrait and landscape mode. No cover for the red window is provided.

How to Use

A manual for this kind of camera is found here : No2 Autographic Brownie. It's not the exact model but it will give you some idea of how it works.

This camera takes 120 film which is available from selected photographic outlets. However, using 120 film does not support autographic mode.

It is advisable to cover the red window except when winding film in low light.